Canon G7 X Mark II vs Olympus E-410

The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II and the Olympus E-410 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in February 2016 and March 2007. The G7X Mark II is a fixed lens compact, while the E-410 is a DSLR. The cameras are based on an one-inch (G7X Mark II) and a Four Thirds (E-410) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 20 megapixels, whereas the Olympus provides 10 MP.

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

Headline Specifications

Canon G7 X Mark II		Olympus E-410
Fixed lens compact camera		Digital single lens reflex
24-100mm f/1.8-2.8		Four Thirds lenses
20 MP, 1" Sensor		10 MP, Four Thirds Sensor
1080/60p Video		no Video
ISO 125-12,800 (125 - 25,600)		ISO 100-1,600
No viewfinder, LCD framing		Optical viewfinder
3.0 LCD, 1040k dots		2.5 LCD, 215k dots
Tilting touchscreen		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
8 shutter flaps per second		3 shutter flaps per second
265 shots per battery charge		500 shots per battery charge
106 x 61 x 42 mm, 319 g		130 x 91 x 53 mm, 435 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II and the Olympus E-410? 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 G7 X Mark II and the Olympus E-410. 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 dimensions 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 Olympus E-410 is considerably larger (83 percent) than the Canon G7 X Mark II. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the G7X Mark II nor the E-410 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the G7X Mark II has a lens built in, whereas the E-410 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 E-410 and their specifications in the Four Thirds Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the G7X Mark II gets 265 shots out of its NB-13L battery, while the E-410 can take 500 images on a single charge of its BLS-1 power pack. The power pack in the G7X Mark II can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. 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 G7 X Mark II	106 mm	61 mm	42 mm	319 g	265	n	Feb 2016	699
2.		Olympus E-410	130 mm	91 mm	53 mm	435 g	500	n	Mar 2007	699
3.		Canon G7 X Mark III	105 mm	61 mm	41 mm	304 g	235	n	Jul 2019	749
4.		Canon SX430	104 mm	69 mm	85 mm	323 g	195	n	Jan 2017	299
5.		Canon SX730	110 mm	64 mm	40 mm	300 g	250	n	Apr 2017	399
6.		Canon SX420	104 mm	69 mm	85 mm	325 g	195	n	Jan 2016	299
7.		Canon SX720	110 mm	64 mm	36 mm	270 g	250	n	Feb 2016	379
8.		Canon G5 X	112 mm	76 mm	44 mm	353 g	210	n	Oct 2015	799
9.		Canon M3	111 mm	68 mm	44 mm	366 g	250	n	Feb 2015	679
10.		Canon SX410	104 mm	69 mm	85 mm	325 g	185	n	Feb 2015	279
11.		Canon SX710	113 mm	66 mm	35 mm	269 g	230	n	Jan 2015	349
12.		Canon G7 X	103 mm	60 mm	40 mm	304 g	210	n	Sep 2014	699
13.		Olympus E-420	130 mm	91 mm	53 mm	440 g	500	n	Mar 2008	599
14.		Olympus E-520	136 mm	92 mm	68 mm	535 g	750	n	May 2008	699
15.		Olympus E-510	136 mm	92 mm	68 mm	538 g	750	n	Mar 2007	799
16.		Olympus E-400	130 mm	91 mm	53 mm	435 g	500	n	Sep 2006	699
17.		Panasonic L10	135 mm	96 mm	78 mm	556 g	450	n	Aug 2007	599
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 listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. 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 size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units 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 G7 X Mark II features an one-inch sensor and the Olympus E-410 a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the E-410 is 94 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.7 and 2.0. The sensor in the G7X Mark II has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the E-410 offers a 4:3 aspect.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Canon G7 X Mark II offers a higher resolution of 20 megapixels, compared with 10 MP of the Olympus E-410. 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 4.74μm for the E-410). However, it should be noted that the G7X Mark II is much more recent (by 8 years and 11 months) than the E-410, 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 inches or 69.5 x 46.3 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 21.9 x 14.6 inches or 55.6 x 37.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 18.2 x 12.2 inches or 46.3 x 30.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Olympus E-410 are 18.2 x 13.7 inches or 46.3 x 34.7 cm for good quality, 14.6 x 10.9 inches or 37.1 x 27.8 cm for very good quality, and 12.2 x 9.1 inches or 30.9 x 23.2 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II has a native sensitivity range from ISO 125 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 125-25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Olympus E-410 are ISO 100 to ISO 1600 (no boost).

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. 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 adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports		DXO Overall
1.		Canon G7 X Mark II	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	..	..	..		..
2.		Olympus E-410	Four Thirds	10.0	3648	2736	none	21.1	10.0	494		51
3.		Canon G7 X Mark III	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	..	..	..		..
4.		Canon SX430	1/2.3	19.9	5152	3864	720/25p	..	..	..		..
5.		Canon SX730	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	..	..	..		..
6.		Canon SX420	1/2.3	19.9	5152	3864	720/25p	..	..	..		..
7.		Canon SX720	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	..	..	..		..
8.		Canon G5 X	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	..	..	..		..
9.		Canon M3	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	22.8	11.8	1169		72
10.		Canon SX410	1/2.3	19.9	5152	3864	720/30p	..	..	..		..
11.		Canon SX710	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	..	..	..		..
12.		Canon G7 X	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	23.0	12.7	556		71
13.		Olympus E-420	Four Thirds	10.0	3648	2736	none	21.5	10.4	527		56
14.		Olympus E-520	Four Thirds	10.0	3648	2736	none	21.4	10.4	548		55
15.		Olympus E-510	Four Thirds	10.0	3648	2736	none	21.2	10.0	442		52
16.		Olympus E-400	Four Thirds	10.0	3648	2736	none	..	..	..		..
17.		Panasonic L10	Four Thirds	10.0	3648	2736	none	21.3	10.8	429		55

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The G7X Mark II indeed provides movie recording capabilities, while the E-410 does not. The highest resolution format that the G7X Mark II can use is 1080/60p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the E-410 has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the G7X Mark II relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon G7 X Mark II and Olympus E-410 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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 G7 X Mark II	none	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	8.0	Y	Y
2.		Olympus E-410	optical	n	2.5	215	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
3.		Canon G7 X Mark III	none	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	30	Y	Y
4.		Canon SX430	none	n	3.0	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	0.5	Y	Y
5.		Canon SX730	none	n	3.0	922	tilting	n	1/3200s	5.9	Y	Y
6.		Canon SX420	none	n	3.0	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	0.5	Y	Y
7.		Canon SX720	none	n	3.0	922	fixed	n	1/3200s	5.9	Y	Y
8.		Canon G5 X	2360	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/2000s	5.9	Y	Y
9.		Canon M3	optional	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	4.2	Y	n
10.		Canon SX410	none	n	3.0	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	0.5	Y	Y
11.		Canon SX710	none	n	3.0	922	fixed	n	1/3200s	6.0	Y	Y
12.		Canon G7 X	none	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	6.5	Y	Y
13.		Olympus E-420	optical	n	2.7	215	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.5	Y	n
14.		Olympus E-520	optical	n	2.7	215	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.5	Y	Y
15.		Olympus E-510	optical	n	2.5	215	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	Y
16.		Olympus E-400	optical	n	2.5	215	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
17.		Panasonic L10	optical	n	2.5	207	swivel	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n

One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The G7X Mark II has a touchscreen, while the E-410 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

The Canon G7 X Mark II has 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.

The G7X Mark II writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the E-410 uses Compact Flash or xD Picture cards. The E-410 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the G7X Mark II only has one slot.

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 G7 X Mark II and Olympus E-410 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 G7 X Mark II	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
2.		Olympus E-410	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
3.		Canon G7 X Mark III	-	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
4.		Canon SX430	-	mono	mono	-	-	-	2.0	Y	Y	-
5.		Canon SX730	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
6.		Canon SX420	-	mono	mono	-	-	-	2.0	Y	Y	-
7.		Canon SX720	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
8.		Canon G5 X	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
9.		Canon M3	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
10.		Canon SX410	-	stereo	mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
11.		Canon SX710	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
12.		Canon G7 X	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
13.		Olympus E-420	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
14.		Olympus E-520	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
15.		Olympus E-510	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
16.		Olympus E-400	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
17.		Panasonic L10	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-

It is notable that the G7X Mark II offers wifi support, while the E-410 does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

Both the G7X Mark II and the E-410 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on eBay. The E-410 was replaced by the Olympus E-420, while the G7X Mark II was followed 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 and Olympus websites.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon G7 X Mark II and the Olympus E-410? Which camera is better? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Advantages of the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (20 vs 10MP) with a 44% higher linear resolution.
• Broader imaging potential: Can record not only still images but also 1080/60p movies.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.5") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 215k dots).
• More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in 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 (8 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• Ready to shoot: Comes with a built-in lens, while the E-410 requires a separate lens.
• More compact: Is smaller (106x61mm vs 130x91mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter even though it comes with a built-in lens (unlike the E-410).
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
• Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
• Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
• More modern: Reflects 8 years and 11 months of technical progress since the E-410 launch.

Arguments in favor of the Olympus E-410:

• Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
• More flexible: Makes it possible to change lenses and thus to use specialty optics.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (500 versus 265) out of a single battery charge.
• Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
• Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
• More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in March 2007).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the G7X Mark II is the clear winner of the match-up (17 : 7 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports 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 G7 X Mark II and the Olympus E-410 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Travel-Zoom Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the G7X Mark II and the E-410 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.

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 G7 X Mark II	4.5/5	+ +	81/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	699
2.		Olympus E-410	..	86/100	+ +	4/5	4.5/5	Mar 2007	699
3.		Canon G7 X Mark III	..	+ +	81/100	4/5	..	Jul 2019	749
4.		Canon SX430	..	..	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Jan 2017	299
5.		Canon SX730	..	+	..	4/5	4/5	Apr 2017	399
6.		Canon SX420	..	..	..	..	3/5	Jan 2016	299
7.		Canon SX720	..	+	..	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	379
8.		Canon G5 X	5/5	+ +	78/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2015	799
9.		Canon M3	4/5	o	75/100	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2015	679
10.		Canon SX410	..	o	..	..	..	Feb 2015	279
11.		Canon SX710	..	+	..	4/5	3.5/5	Jan 2015	349
12.		Canon G7 X	4/5	+ +	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2014	699
13.		Olympus E-420	..	85/100	+ +	4/5	4.5/5	Mar 2008	599
14.		Olympus E-520	..	87/100	+ +	4.5/5	4.5/5	May 2008	699
15.		Olympus E-510	..	89/100	+ +	3.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2007	799
16.		Olympus E-400	..	85/100	..	4/5	4/5	Sep 2006	699
17.		Panasonic L10	..	85/100	+	3.5/5	4/5	Aug 2007	599
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. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price 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, 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? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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Specifications: Canon G7 X Mark II vs Olympus E-410

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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