Canon G1 X Mark II vs G7X Mark II

The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II and the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in February 2014 and February 2016. Both the G1X Mark II and the G7X Mark II are fixed lens compact cameras that are based on an 1.5-inch (G1X Mark II) and an one-inch (G7X Mark II) sensor. The G1X Mark II has a resolution of 13 megapixels, whereas the G7X Mark II provides 20 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

	VS
Canon G1 X Mark II		Canon G7 X Mark II
Fixed lens compact camera		Fixed lens compact camera
24-120mm f/2.0-3.9		24-100mm f/1.8-2.8
13 MP, 1.5" Sensor		20 MP, 1" Sensor
1080/30p Video		1080/60p Video
ISO 100-12800		ISO 125-12800 (125-25600)
Viewfinder optional		No viewfinder, LCD framing
3.0" LCD, 1040k dots		3.0" LCD, 1040k dots
Tilting touchscreen		Tilting touchscreen
5.2 shutter flaps per second		8 shutter flaps per second
240 shots per battery charge		265 shots per battery charge
116 x 74 x 66 mm, 553 g		106 x 61 x 42 mm, 319 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II and the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Canon G1 X Mark II and the Canon G7 X Mark II are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon G7 X Mark II is notably smaller (25 percent) than the Canon G1 X Mark II. Moreover, the G7X Mark II is substantially lighter (42 percent) than the G1X Mark II. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the G1X Mark II nor the G7X Mark II are weather-sealed.

Concerning battery life, the G1X Mark II gets 240 shots out of its NB-12L battery, while the G7X Mark II can take 265 images on a single charge of its NB-13L power pack. The power pack in the G7X Mark II can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, just click on the right or left arrow next to the camera that you would like to inspect. Alternatively, you can also use the CAM-parator to select your camera combination among a larger number of options.

Camera Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life (CIPA)	Weather Sealing (yes/no)	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Canon G1 X Mark II»	4.6 in	2.9 in	2.6 in	19.5 oz	240	n	Feb 2014	799		Canon G1 X Mark II
	Canon G7 X Mark II«	4.2 in	2.4 in	1.7 in	11.3 oz	265	n	Feb 2016	699		Canon G7 X Mark II
	Canon G7 X Mark III« »	4.1 in	2.4 in	1.6 in	10.7 oz	235	n	Jul 2019	749		Canon G7 X Mark III
	Canon G5 X« »	4.4 in	3.0 in	1.7 in	12.5 oz	210	n	Oct 2015	799		Canon G5 X
	Canon M3« »	4.4 in	2.7 in	1.7 in	12.9 oz	250	n	Feb 2015	679		Canon M3
	Canon T6i« »	5.2 in	4.0 in	3.1 in	19.6 oz	440	n	Feb 2015	749		Canon T6i
	Canon T6s« »	5.2 in	4.0 in	3.1 in	19.9 oz	440	n	Feb 2015	649		Canon T6s
	Canon XC10« »	4.9 in	4.0 in	4.8 in	36.7 oz	..	n	Apr 2015	2,499		Canon XC10
	Canon G7 X« »	4.1 in	2.4 in	1.6 in	10.7 oz	210	n	Sep 2014	699		Canon G7 X
	Canon SX60« »	5.0 in	3.7 in	4.5 in	22.9 oz	340	n	Sep 2014	549		Canon SX60
	Canon G16« »	4.3 in	3.0 in	1.6 in	12.6 oz	360	n	Aug 2013	549		Canon G16
	Canon S120« »	3.9 in	2.3 in	1.1 in	7.7 oz	230	n	Aug 2013	449		Canon S120
	Canon G1 X« »	4.6 in	3.2 in	2.6 in	18.8 oz	250	n	Jan 2012	799		Canon G1 X
	Canon T1i« »	5.1 in	3.9 in	2.4 in	18.3 oz	400	n	Mar 2009	799		Canon T1i
	Canon XSi« »	5.1 in	3.9 in	2.4 in	18.5 oz	500	n	Jan 2008	799		Canon XSi
	Panasonic LX100« »	4.5 in	2.6 in	2.2 in	13.9 oz	300	n	Sep 2014	899		Panasonic LX100
	Sony RX100 IV« »	4.0 in	2.3 in	1.6 in	10.5 oz	280	n	Jun 2015	999		Sony RX100 IV
Convert to Metric
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The G7X Mark II was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 13 percent) than the G1X Mark II, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon G1 X Mark II features an 1.5-inch sensor and the Canon G7 X Mark II an one-inch sensor. The sensor area in the G7X Mark II is 56 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.85 and 2.7. The sensor in the G1X Mark II has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the G7X Mark II offers a 3:2 aspect.

Technology-wise, the G7X Mark II uses a more advanced image processing engine (DIGIC 7) than the G1X Mark II (DIGIC 6), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the G7X Mark II offers a higher resolution of 20 megapixels, compared with 13 MP of the G1X Mark II. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 2.41μm versus 4.49μm for the G1X Mark II). However, it should be noted that the G7X Mark II is much more recent (by 2 years) than the G1X Mark II, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently.

The resolution advantage of the Canon G7 X Mark II implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the G7X Mark II for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 27.4 x 18.2 inch or 69.5 x 46.3 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 21.9 x 14.6 inch or 55.6 x 37.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 18.2 x 12.2 inch or 46.3 x 30.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon G1 X Mark II are 20.8 x 15.6 inch or 52.8 x 39.6 cm for good quality, 16.6 x 12.5 inch or 42.3 x 31.7 cm for very good quality, and 13.9 x 10.4 inch or 35.2 x 26.4 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II are ISO 125 to ISO 12800, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 125-25600.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the G7X Mark II provides a faster frame rate than the G1X Mark II. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/60p, while the G1X Mark II is limited to 1080/30p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The G1X Mark II and the G7X Mark II are similar in the sense that neither of the two has a viewfinder. The images are, thus, framed using live view on the rear LCD. That said, the G1X Mark II can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the EVF-DC1. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon G1 X Mark II and Canon G7 X Mark II in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

The Canon G1 X Mark II and the Canon G7 X Mark II both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Both the G1X Mark II and the G7X Mark II have zoom lenses built in. The G1X Mark II has a 24-120mm f/2.0-3.9 optic and the G7X Mark II offers a 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the G1X Mark II and G7X Mark II provide the same view at the wide-angle end, but the G7X Mark II has less tele-photo reach at the long end. The G7X Mark II offers the faster maximum aperture.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the G1X Mark II and the G7X Mark II write their files to SDXC cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II and Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

It is notable that the G1X Mark II has a hotshoe, while the G7X Mark II does not. This socket makes it possible to easily attach optional accessories, such as an external flash gun.

The G1X Mark II is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Canon. In contrast, the G7X Mark II has been discontinued (but it can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the G7X Mark II was succeeded by the Canon G7 X Mark III. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Canon website.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon G1 X Mark II and the Canon G7 X Mark II? Which camera is better? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Advantages of the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II:

• Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
• Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
• More framing options: Can be equipped with a hotshoe-mounted accessory-viewfinder.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
• More tele-reach: Has a longer tele-lens for perspective compression and subject magnification.
• Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in February 2014).

Reasons to prefer the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (20 vs 13MP), which boosts linear resolution by 26%.
• Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (DIGIC 7 vs DIGIC 6).
• Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/60p versus 1080/30p).
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (8 vs 5.2 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/1.8 vs f/2.0).
• More compact: Is smaller (106x61mm vs 116x74mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 234g or 42 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (265 versus 240) out of a single battery charge.
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• More affordable: Was released into a lower priced segment (13 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 2 years of technical progress since the G1X Mark II launch.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the G7X Mark II comes out slightly ahead of the G1X Mark II (10 : 9 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon G1 X Mark II and the Canon G7 X Mark II place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Travel-Zoom Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the G1X Mark II or the G7X Mark II perform in practice. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, and photographyblog). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Review Scores

	Camera Model	cam era   labs	dp re   view	e photo   zine	ima ging resource	photo graphy   blog	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Canon G1 X Mark II	+	77/100	4/5	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2014	799		Canon G1 X Mark II
	Canon G7 X Mark II	+ +	81/100	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	699		Canon G7 X Mark II
	Canon G7 X Mark III	+ +	81/100	4/5	..	..	Jul 2019	749		Canon G7 X Mark III
	Canon G5 X	+ +	78/100	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Oct 2015	799		Canon G5 X
	Canon M3	o	75/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2015	679		Canon M3
	Canon T6i	..	75/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	749		Canon T6i
	Canon T6s	+	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	649		Canon T6s
	Canon XC10	..	80/100	..	..	..	Apr 2015	2,499		Canon XC10
	Canon G7 X	+ +	77/100	4.5/5	3.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2014	699		Canon G7 X
	Canon SX60	+ +	75/100	4/5	..	4.5/5	Sep 2014	549		Canon SX60
	Canon G16	+	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2013	549		Canon G16
	Canon S120	+ +	..	4.5/5	o	4.5/5	Aug 2013	449		Canon S120
	Canon G1 X	+	76/100	4/5	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2012	799		Canon G1 X
	Canon T1i	+ +	74/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2009	799		Canon T1i
	Canon XSi	+ +	+ +	4/5	5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2008	799		Canon XSi
	Panasonic LX100	+ +	85/100	5/5	4/5	5/5	Sep 2014	899		Panasonic LX100
	Sony RX100 IV	+ +	85/100	4/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2015	999		Sony RX100 IV
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

Specifications: Canon G1 X Mark II vs Canon G7 X Mark II

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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