Canon G1 X Mark III vs Leica M10

The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III and the Leica M10 (Typ 3656) are two enthusiast cameras that were officially introduced, 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 megapixels, whereas the Leica provides 23.8 MP.

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

Headline Specifications

Canon G1 X Mark III		Leica M10
Fixed lens compact camera		Rangefinder camera
24-72mm f/2.8-5.6		Leica M mount lenses
24 MP, APS-C Sensor		23.8 MP, Full Frame Sensor
1080/60p Video		no Video
ISO 100-25,600		ISO 100-50,000
Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)		Optical viewfinder
3.0 LCD, 1040k dots		3.0 LCD, 1037k dots
Swivel touchscreen		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
9 shutter flaps per second		5 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed body		Weathersealed body
200 shots per battery charge		210 shots per battery charge
115 x 78 x 51 mm, 399 g		139 x 80 x 39 mm, 660 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III and the Leica M10 (Typ 3656)? 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 side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon G1 X Mark III and the Leica M10. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The M10 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the G1X Mark III is only available in black.

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. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the G1X Mark III has a lens built 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 compare the optics available 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. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)		Street Price
1.		Canon G1 X Mark III	115 mm	78 mm	51 mm	399 g	200	Y	Oct 2017	1,299
2.		Leica M10	139 mm	80 mm	39 mm	660 g	210	Y	Jan 2017	6,595
3.		Canon M50	116 mm	88 mm	59 mm	390 g	235	n	Feb 2018	779
4.		Canon 6D Mark II	144 mm	111 mm	75 mm	765 g	1200	Y	Jun 2017	1,999
5.		Canon 200D	122 mm	93 mm	70 mm	453 g	650	n	Jun 2017	549
6.		Canon G9 X Mark II	98 mm	58 mm	31 mm	206 g	235	n	Jan 2017	529
7.		Canon 80D	139 mm	105 mm	79 mm	730 g	960	Y	Feb 2016	1,199
8.		Canon SX540	120 mm	82 mm	92 mm	442 g	205	n	Jan 2016	399
9.		Fujifilm X100V	128 mm	75 mm	53 mm	478 g	420	Y	Feb 2020	1,399
10.		Fujifilm X100F	127 mm	75 mm	52 mm	469 g	390	n	Jan 2017	1,299
11.		Leica M10-P	139 mm	80 mm	39 mm	660 g	210	Y	Aug 2018	7,995
12.		Leica M Typ 262	139 mm	80 mm	42 mm	680 g	..	Y	Nov 2015	5,195
13.		Leica Q Typ 116	130 mm	80 mm	93 mm	640 g	300	n	Jun 2015	4,249
14.		Leica M Typ 240	139 mm	80 mm	42 mm	680 g	..	Y	Sep 2012	6,950
15.		Nikon D7500	136 mm	104 mm	73 mm	720 g	950	Y	Apr 2017	1,299
16.		Sony RX10 III	133 mm	94 mm	127 mm	1051 g	420	Y	Mar 2016	1,499
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The G1X Mark III was launched at a lower price than the M10, despite having a lens built 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.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors 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 tend to be more expensive and 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.

In terms of underlying technology, both cameras are build around CMOS sensors.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Canon G1 X Mark III offers a higher resolution of 24 megapixels, compared with 23.8 MP of the Leica M10. 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 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.

The G1X Mark III has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Leica M10 (Typ 3656) are ISO 100 to ISO 50000 (no boost).

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports		DXO Overall
1.		Canon G1 X Mark III	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	..	..	..		..
2.		Leica M10	Full Frame	23.8	5952	3992	none	24.4	13.2	2133		86
3.		Canon M50	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/24p	..	..	..		..
4.		Canon 6D Mark II	Full Frame	26.0	6240	4160	1080/60p	24.4	11.9	2862		85
5.		Canon 200D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.6	13.4	1041		79
6.		Canon G9 X Mark II	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	21.9	12.5	522		65
7.		Canon 80D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.6	13.2	1135		79
8.		Canon SX540	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	..	..	..		..
9.		Fujifilm X100V	APS-C	26.0	6240	4160	4K/30p	..	..	..		..
10.		Fujifilm X100F	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	..	..	..		..
11.		Leica M10-P	Full Frame	23.8	5952	3992	none	..	..	..		..
12.		Leica M Typ 262	Full Frame	23.7	5952	3976	none	..	..	..		..
13.		Leica Q Typ 116	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.3	12.7	2221		85
14.		Leica M Typ 240	Full Frame	23.7	5952	3976	1080/25p	24.0	13.3	1860		84
15.		Nikon D7500	APS-C	20.7	5568	3712	4K/30p	24.3	14.0	1483		86
16.		Sony RX10 III	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	23.1	12.6	472		70

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. 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

Apart from 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 table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon G1 X Mark III and Leica M10 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Canon G1 X Mark III	2360	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/2000s	9.0	Y	Y
2.		Leica M10	optical	n	3.0	1037	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.0	n	n
3.		Canon M50	2360	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	10.0	Y	n
4.		Canon 6D Mark II	optical	Y	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	6.5	n	n
5.		Canon 200D	optical	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
6.		Canon G9 X Mark II	none	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/2000s	8.2	Y	Y
7.		Canon 80D	optical	Y	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	7.0	Y	n
8.		Canon SX540	none	n	3.0	461	fixed	n	1/2000s	5.9	Y	Y
9.		Fujifilm X100V	3690	n	3.0	1620	tilting	Y	1/4000s	11.0	Y	n
10.		Fujifilm X100F	2360	n	3.0	1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	8.0	Y	n
11.		Leica M10-P	optical	n	3.0	1037	fixed	Y	1/4000s	5.0	n	n
12.		Leica M Typ 262	optical	n	3.0	921	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	n	n
13.		Leica Q Typ 116	3680	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/2000s	10.0	n	Y
14.		Leica M Typ 240	optical	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	n	n
15.		Nikon D7500	optical	Y	3.2	922	tilting	Y	1/8000s	8.0	Y	n
16.		Sony RX10 III	2359	Y	3.0	1229	tilting	n	1/2000s	14.0	Y	Y

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The G1X Mark III has one, while the M10 does not. While the built-in flash of the G1X Mark III is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The Canon G1 X Mark III and the Leica M10 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.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the G1X Mark III and the M10 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 III and Leica M10 (Typ 3656) and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Canon G1 X Mark III	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
2.		Leica M10	Y	-	-	-	-	-	-	Y	-	-
3.		Canon M50	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
4.		Canon 6D Mark II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	Y
5.		Canon 200D	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	Y
6.		Canon G9 X Mark II	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
7.		Canon 80D	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
8.		Canon SX540	-	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
9.		Fujifilm X100V	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
10.		Fujifilm X100F	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
11.		Leica M10-P	Y	-	-	-	-	-	-	Y	-	-
12.		Leica M Typ 262	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
13.		Leica Q Typ 116	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
14.		Leica M Typ 240	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
15.		Nikon D7500	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	Y	-	Y
16.		Sony RX10 III	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-

Both the G1X Mark III and the M10 are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. The M10 replaced the earlier Leica M Typ 262, while the G1X Mark III followed on from the Canon G1 X Mark II. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Canon and Leica websites.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is the Canon G1 X Mark III better than the Leica M10 or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Advantages of 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.
• Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
• More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
• More flexible LCD: Has a 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.
• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (9 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Ready to shoot: Has a lens built-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 built-in lens (unlike the M10).
• Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
• Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
• Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
• More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 8 months after the M10).

Reasons to prefer the Leica M10 (Typ 3656):

• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• 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.
• Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/2000s) 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 number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the G1X Mark III is the clear winner of the match-up (17 : 10 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. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the G1X Mark III or the M10 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 following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). 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.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)			Street Price
1.		Canon G1 X Mark III	5/5	+	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2017	1,299
2.		Leica M10	4.5/5	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	6,595
3.		Canon M50	..	+	79/100	..	3.5/5	Feb 2018	779
4.		Canon 6D Mark II	4/5	+	80/100	4.5/5	4/5	Jun 2017	1,999
5.		Canon 200D	4/5	+ +	78/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2017	549
6.		Canon G9 X Mark II	4/5	..	75/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	529
7.		Canon 80D	4/5	+ +	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	1,199
8.		Canon SX540	..	..	..	..	..	Jan 2016	399
9.		Fujifilm X100V	5/5	+ +	86/100	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2020	1,399
10.		Fujifilm X100F	5/5	+	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	1,299
11.		Leica M10-P	..	..	..	..	4/5	Aug 2018	7,995
12.		Leica M Typ 262	..	..	..	..	..	Nov 2015	5,195
13.		Leica Q Typ 116	5/5	..	80/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2015	4,249
14.		Leica M Typ 240	4/5	..	..	4/5	..	Sep 2012	6,950
15.		Nikon D7500	4.5/5	+ +	86/100	5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2017	1,299
16.		Sony RX10 III	5/5	+	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2016	1,499
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. 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. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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 use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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Specifications: Canon G1 X Mark III vs Leica M10

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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