Canon G1 X Mark III versus Leica M10

The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III and the Leica M10 (Typ 3656) are two enthusiast cameras that were announced, respectively, in October 2017 and January 2017. The G1X Mark III is a fixed lens compact, while the M10 is a rangefinder-style mirrorless. The cameras are based on an APS-C (G1X Mark III) and a full frame (M10) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 24 megapixel, whereas the Leica provides 23.8 MP. Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their size, their sensors, their features, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison: Canon G1 X Mark III vs Leica M10

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon G1 X Mark III and the Leica M10 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter. You can also toggle the display to switch to a percentage comparison if you prefer that the measures are being expressed in relative terms (in this case, the camera on the left – the G1X Mark III – represents 100 percent across all the size and weight measures).

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Leica M10 is notably larger (24 percent) than the Canon G1 X Mark III. It is worth mentioning in this context that the G1X Mark III is splash and dust resistant, while the M10 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the G1X Mark III has a lens build in, whereas the M10 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can find an overview of optics for the M10 and their specifications in the Leica M Lens Catalog.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, just select a new right or left comparator from among the camera models in the table. Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

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)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Canon G1 X Mark III»	4.5 in	3.1 in	2.0 in	14.1 oz	200	Y	Oct 2017	1,299			Canon G1 X Mark III
	Leica M10«	5.5 in	3.1 in	1.5 in	23.3 oz	210	n	Jan 2017	6,595			Leica M10
	Canon G9 X Mark II« »	3.9 in	2.3 in	1.2 in	7.3 oz	235	n	Jan 2017	529			Canon G9 X Mark II
	Canon 6D Mark II« »	5.7 in	4.4 in	3.0 in	27.0 oz	1200	Y	Jun 2017	1,999			Canon 6D Mark II
	Canon SL2« »	4.8 in	3.7 in	2.8 in	16.0 oz	650	n	Jun 2017	549			Canon SL2
	Canon 80D« »	5.5 in	4.1 in	3.1 in	25.8 oz	960	Y	Feb 2016	1,199			Canon 80D
	Canon 1D X Mark II« »	6.2 in	6.6 in	3.3 in	54.0 oz	1210	Y	Feb 2016	5,999			Canon 1D 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
	Fujifilm X100F« »	5.0 in	3.0 in	2.0 in	16.5 oz	390	n	Jan 2017	1,299			Fujifilm X100F
	Leica Q Typ 116« »	5.1 in	3.1 in	3.7 in	22.6 oz	300	n	Jun 2015	4,249			Leica Q Typ 116
	Leica M Typ 240« »	5.5 in	3.1 in	1.7 in	24.0 oz	..	Y	Sep 2012	6,950	-		Leica M Typ 240
	Nikon D7500« »	5.4 in	4.1 in	2.9 in	25.4 oz	950	Y	Apr 2017	1,299			Nikon D7500
	Panasonic FZ2500« »	5.4 in	4.0 in	5.3 in	32.3 oz	350	n	Sep 2016	1,199			Panasonic FZ2500
	Sony RX10 IV« »	5.2 in	3.7 in	5.7 in	38.6 oz	400	Y	Sep 2017	1,699			Sony RX10 IV
	Sony RX10 III« »	5.2 in	3.7 in	5.0 in	37.1 oz	420	Y	Mar 2016	1,499	-		Sony RX10 III
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Any camera purchase will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The G1X Mark III was launched at a lower price than the M10, despite having a lens build in. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. 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. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison: Canon G1 X Mark III vs Leica M10

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have 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 III features an APS-C sensor and the Leica M10 a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the M10 is 158 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Canon G1 X Mark III offers a higher resolution of 24 megapixel, compared with 23.8 MP of the Leica M10. This megapixel advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 3.72μm versus 6.00μm for the M10). However, it should be noted that the G1X Mark III is a somewhat more recent model (by 8 months) than the M10, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that partly offset its pixel-size disadvantage. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the M10 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. 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 are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The G1X Mark III indeed provides movie recording capabilities, while the M10 does not. The highest resolution format that the G1X Mark III can use is 1080/60p.

Feature comparison: Canon G1 X Mark III vs Leica M10

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the G1X Mark III has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), while the M10 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon G1 X Mark III, the Leica M10, and comparable cameras. If you need more detail on the specs, you can find comprehensive listings, for example, in the dpreview camera hub.

Both the G1X Mark III and the M10 are current models that good online retailers will have in stock. You can check the latest prices, for example, at amazon. The M10 replaced the earlier Leica M Typ 262, while the G1X Mark III followed on from the Canon G1 X Mark II.

Review summary: Canon G1 X Mark III vs Leica M10

So what conclusions can be drawn? Which of the two cameras – the Canon G1 X Mark III or the Leica M10 – has the upper hand? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Reasons to prefer the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III:

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Broader imaging potential: Can record not only still images but also 1080/60p movies.
• More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
• More flexible LCD: Has swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (9 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Ready to shoot: Has a lens build-in, whereas the M10 requires a separate lens.
• More compact: Is smaller (115x78mm vs 139x80mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter even though it comes with a build-in lens (unlike the M10).
• Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
• Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
• Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization build-in.
• More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a build-in lens.
• More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 8 months after the M10).

Arguments in favor of the Leica M10 (Typ 3656):

• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Better low-light imaging: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for better high-ISO images.
• Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (4000/sec vs 2000/sec) to freeze action.
• More flexible: Takes interchangeable lenses and can thus be used with different optics.
• More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale value.
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in January 2017).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the G1X Mark III is the clear winner of the match-up (14 : 7 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it says nothing about, for example, the handling, responsiveness, and overall imaging quality of the G1X Mark III and the M10 in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased. This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, photographyblog). The detailed reviews can be accessed by clicking on the site logo in the table header.

Review Scores

	Camera Model						Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Canon G1 X Mark III»	Rec	79/100	4.5/5	-	4.5/5	Oct 2017	1,299			Canon G1 X Mark III
	Leica M10«	-	-	4/5	-	4.5/5	Jan 2017	6,595			Leica M10
	Canon G9 X Mark II« »	-	75/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	529			Canon G9 X Mark II
	Canon 6D Mark II« »	Rec	80/100	4.5/5	4/5	4/5	Jun 2017	1,999			Canon 6D Mark II
	Canon SL2« »	HiRec	78/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2017	549			Canon SL2
	Canon 80D« »	HiRec	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	1,199			Canon 80D
	Canon 1D X Mark II« »	-	89/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	5,999			Canon 1D X Mark II
	Canon G7 X Mark II« »	HiRec	81/100	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	699			Canon G7 X Mark II
	Fujifilm X100F« »	Rec	83/100	4.5/5	-	4.5/5	Jan 2017	1,299			Fujifilm X100F
	Leica Q Typ 116« »	-	80/100	4.5/5	-	4.5/5	Jun 2015	4,249			Leica Q Typ 116
	Leica M Typ 240« »	-	-	4/5	-	-	Sep 2012	6,950	-		Leica M Typ 240
	Nikon D7500« »	HiRec	86/100	5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2017	1,299			Nikon D7500
	Panasonic FZ2500« »	Rec	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	5/5	Sep 2016	1,199			Panasonic FZ2500
	Sony RX10 IV« »	Rec	84/100	4.5/5	-	5/5	Sep 2017	1,699			Sony RX10 IV
	Sony RX10 III« »	Rec	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2016	1,499	-		Sony RX10 III

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 comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool. If you do not see the camera that you are looking for, please send me an email, and I will try to update the database with the necessary infos.

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