Canon G1 X Mark II vs G1X Mark III

The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II and the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III are two enthusiast cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in February 2014 and October 2017. Both the G1X Mark II and the G1X Mark III are fixed lens compact cameras that are based on an 1.5-inch (G1X Mark II) and an APS-C (G1X Mark III) sensor. The G1X Mark II has a resolution of 13 megapixels, whereas the G1X Mark III provides 24 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 II		Canon G1 X Mark III
Fixed lens compact camera		Fixed lens compact camera
24-120mm f/2.0-3.9		24-72mm f/2.8-5.6
13 MP – 1.5" sensor		24 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/30p Video		1080/60p Video
ISO 100-12,800		ISO 100-25,600
Viewfinder optional		Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)
3.0" LCD – 1040k dots		3.0" LCD – 1040k dots
Tilting touchscreen		Swivel touchscreen
5.2 shutter flaps per second		9 shutter flaps per second
not weather sealed		Weathersealed body
240 shots per battery charge		200 shots per battery charge
116 x 74 x 66 mm, 553 g		115 x 78 x 51 mm, 399 g

Check G1X Mark II offers at
ebay.com
Check G1X Mark III offers at
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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 G1 X Mark III? 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 II and the Canon G1 X Mark III. 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.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon G1 X Mark III is somewhat larger (4 percent) than the Canon G1 X Mark II. However, the G1X Mark III is markedly lighter (28 percent) than the G1X Mark II. It is noteworthy in this context that the G1X Mark III is splash and dust-proof, while the G1X Mark II does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

Concerning battery life, the G1X Mark II gets 240 shots out of its Canon NB-12L battery, while the G1X Mark III can take 200 images on a single charge of its Canon NB-13L power pack.

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	Street Price
1.		Canon G1 X Mark II	116 mm	74 mm	66 mm	553 g	240	n	Feb 2014	US$ 799	ebay.com
2.		Canon G1 X Mark III	115 mm	78 mm	51 mm	399 g	200	Y	Oct 2017	US$ 1 299	ebay.com
3.		Canon 80D	139 mm	105 mm	79 mm	730 g	960	Y	Feb 2016	US$ 1 199	ebay.com
4.		Canon 450D	129 mm	98 mm	62 mm	524 g	500	n	Jan 2008	US$ 799	ebay.com
5.		Canon 500D	129 mm	98 mm	62 mm	520 g	400	n	Mar 2009	US$ 799	ebay.com
6.		Canon 760D	132 mm	101 mm	78 mm	565 g	440	n	Feb 2015	US$ 649	ebay.com
7.		Canon G1 X	117 mm	81 mm	65 mm	534 g	250	n	Jan 2012	US$ 799	ebay.com
8.		Canon G5 X	112 mm	76 mm	44 mm	353 g	210	n	Oct 2015	US$ 799	ebay.com
9.		Canon G16	109 mm	76 mm	40 mm	356 g	360	n	Aug 2013	US$ 549	ebay.com
10.		Canon S120	100 mm	59 mm	29 mm	217 g	230	n	Aug 2013	US$ 449	ebay.com
11.		Canon SX60	128 mm	93 mm	114 mm	650 g	340	n	Sep 2014	US$ 549	ebay.com
12.		Canon SX540	120 mm	82 mm	92 mm	442 g	205	n	Jan 2016	US$ 399	ebay.com
13.		Fujifilm X100F	127 mm	75 mm	52 mm	469 g	390	n	Jan 2017	US$ 1 299	ebay.com
14.		Fujifilm X100V	128 mm	75 mm	53 mm	478 g	420	Y	Feb 2020	US$ 1 399	ebay.com
15.		Olympus Stylus 1	116 mm	87 mm	57 mm	402 g	410	n	Oct 2013	US$ 699	ebay.com
16.		Panasonic LX100	115 mm	66 mm	55 mm	393 g	300	n	Sep 2014	US$ 899	ebay.com
17.		Sony RX10 III	133 mm	94 mm	127 mm	1051 g	420	Y	Mar 2016	US$ 1 499	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The G1X Mark II was launched at a markedly lower price (by 38 percent) than the G1X Mark III, which puts it into a different market segment. 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 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. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the 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 II features an 1.5-inch sensor and the Canon G1 X Mark III an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the G1X Mark III is 27 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.85 and 1.5. The sensor in the G1X Mark II has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the G1X Mark III offers a 3:2 aspect.

Technology-wise, the G1X Mark III 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.

With 24MP, the G1X Mark III offers a higher resolution than the G1X Mark II (13MP), but the G1X Mark III has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.72μm versus 4.49μm for the G1X Mark II). Yet, the G1X Mark III is a much more recent model (by 3 years and 8 months) than the G1X Mark II, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units.

The resolution advantage of the Canon G1 X Mark III implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the G1X Mark III for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon G1 X Mark II are 20.8 x 15.6 inches or 52.8 x 39.6 cm for good quality, 16.6 x 12.5 inches or 42.3 x 31.7 cm for very good quality, and 13.9 x 10.4 inches or 35.2 x 26.4 cm for excellent quality prints.

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 II has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III are ISO 100 to ISO 25600 (no boost).

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

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 table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar 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 G1 X Mark II	1.5-inch	13.0	4160	3120	1080/30p	21.5	10.8	581	58
2.		Canon G1 X Mark III	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.8	13.2	1649	81
3.		Canon 80D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.6	13.2	1135	79
4.		Canon 450D	APS-C	12.2	4272	2848	none	21.9	10.8	692	61
5.		Canon 500D	APS-C	15.1	4752	3168	1080/20p	21.7	11.5	663	63
6.		Canon 760D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	22.6	12.0	915	70
7.		Canon G1 X	1.5-inch	14.2	4352	3264	1080/24p	21.7	10.8	644	60
8.		Canon G5 X	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	21.4	12.3	471	62
9.		Canon G16	1/1.7	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	21.0	11.7	230	54
10.		Canon S120	1/1.7	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	21.3	11.9	246	56
11.		Canon SX60	1/2.3	14.2	4608	3072	1080/60p	19.2	10.8	127	39
12.		Canon SX540	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	20.3	11.7	806	48
13.		Fujifilm X100F	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.9	13.2	1704	81
14.		Fujifilm X100V	APS-C	26.0	6240	4160	4K/30p	24.2	13.6	1996	84
15.		Olympus Stylus 1	1/1.7	11.8	3968	2976	1080/30p	20.7	11.6	179	51
16.		Panasonic LX100	Four Thirds	12.7	4112	3088	4K/30p	22.3	12.5	553	67
17.		Sony RX10 III	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	23.1	12.6	472	70
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the G1X Mark III 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

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the G1X Mark III has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the G1X Mark II relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the G1X Mark II can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the EVF-DC1. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon G1 X Mark II, the Canon G1 X Mark III, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Canon G1 X Mark II	optional	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	5.2/s	Y	Y
2.		Canon G1 X Mark III	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/2000s	9.0/s	Y	Y
3.		Canon 80D	optical	Y	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	7.0/s	Y	n
4.		Canon 450D	optical	n	3.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.5/s	Y	n
5.		Canon 500D	optical	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.4/s	Y	n
6.		Canon 760D	optical	Y	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
7.		Canon G1 X	optical	n	3.0 / 922	swivel	n	1/4000s	1.9/s	Y	Y
8.		Canon G5 X	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/2000s	5.9/s	Y	Y
9.		Canon G16	optical	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.2/s	Y	Y
10.		Canon S120	none	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	Y	1/2000s	12.1/s	Y	Y
11.		Canon SX60	922	n	3.0 / 922	swivel	n	1/2000s	6.4/s	Y	Y
12.		Canon SX540	none	n	3.0 / 461	fixed	n	1/2000s	5.9/s	Y	Y
13.		Fujifilm X100F	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	8.0/s	Y	n
14.		Fujifilm X100V	3690	n	3.0 / 1620	tilting	Y	1/4000s	11.0/s	n	n
15.		Olympus Stylus 1	1440	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	7.0/s	Y	Y
16.		Panasonic LX100	2764	n	3.0 / 921	fixed	n	1/4000s	11.0/s	n	Y
17.		Sony RX10 III	2359	Y	3.0 / 1229	tilting	n	1/2000s	14.0/s	Y	Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

The Canon G1 X Mark II and the Canon G1 X Mark III 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 G1X Mark III have zoom lenses built in. The G1X Mark II has a 24-120mm f/2.0-3.9 optic and the G1X Mark III offers a 24-72mm f/2.8-5.6 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the G1X Mark II and G1X Mark III provide the same view at the wide-angle end, but the G1X Mark III has less tele-photo reach at the long end. The G1X Mark II offers the faster maximum aperture.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the G1X Mark II and the G1X Mark III 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 G1 X Mark III 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 Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Canon G1 X Mark II	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
2.		Canon G1 X Mark III	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
3.		Canon 80D	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
4.		Canon 450D	Y	- / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
5.		Canon 500D	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
6.		Canon 760D	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
7.		Canon G1 X	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
8.		Canon G5 X	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
9.		Canon G16	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
10.		Canon S120	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
11.		Canon SX60	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
12.		Canon SX540	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
13.		Fujifilm X100F	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
14.		Fujifilm X100V	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
15.		Olympus Stylus 1	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
16.		Panasonic LX100	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
17.		Sony RX10 III	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-

Both the G1X Mark II and the G1X Mark III have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The G1X Mark II was replaced by the Canon G1 X Mark III, while the G1X Mark III does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the G1X Mark II and G1X Mark III can be found, respectively, in the Canon G1 X Mark II Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon G1 X Mark III Manual.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Which of the two cameras – the Canon G1 X Mark II or the Canon G1 X Mark III – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Reasons to prefer the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II:

• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
• Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/2.0 vs f/2.8).
• More tele-reach: Has a longer tele-lens for perspective compression and subject magnification.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (240 versus 200) on a single battery charge.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (38 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in February 2014).

Arguments in favor of the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (24 vs 13MP), which boosts linear resolution by 39%.
• Better image quality: Is equipped with a larger and more technologically advanced sensor.
• Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
• 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).
• Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
• Easier framing: Has an electronic viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
• More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (9 vs 5.2 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 154g or 28 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• More modern: Reflects 3 years and 8 months of technical progress since the G1X Mark II launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the G1X Mark III is the clear winner of the contest (15 : 6 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 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 G1 X Mark II and the Canon G1 X Mark III 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 comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the G1X Mark II and the G1X Mark III 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 where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], 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	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Canon G1 X Mark II	3/5	+	..	77/100	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2014	US$ 799	ebay.com
2.		Canon G1 X Mark III	5/5	+	4/5	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2017	US$ 1 299	ebay.com
3.		Canon 80D	4/5	+ +	4.5/5	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	US$ 1 199	ebay.com
4.		Canon 450D	..	+ +	..	+ +	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2008	US$ 799	ebay.com
5.		Canon 500D	..	+ +	..	74/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2009	US$ 799	ebay.com
6.		Canon 760D	5/5	+	..	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	US$ 649	ebay.com
7.		Canon G1 X	5/5	+	..	76/100	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2012	US$ 799	ebay.com
8.		Canon G5 X	5/5	+ +	..	78/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2015	US$ 799	ebay.com
9.		Canon G16	4/5	+	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2013	US$ 549	ebay.com
10.		Canon S120	..	+ +	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2013	US$ 449	ebay.com
11.		Canon SX60	3/5	+ +	..	75/100	4/5	4.5/5	Sep 2014	US$ 549	ebay.com
12.		Canon SX540	..	..	..	..	..	..	Jan 2016	US$ 399	ebay.com
13.		Fujifilm X100F	5/5	+	3.9/5	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	US$ 1 299	ebay.com
14.		Fujifilm X100V	5/5	+ +	4.5/5	86/100	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2020	US$ 1 399	ebay.com
15.		Olympus Stylus 1	..	+ +	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2013	US$ 699	ebay.com
16.		Panasonic LX100	5/5	+ +	..	85/100	5/5	5/5	Sep 2014	US$ 899	ebay.com
17.		Sony RX10 III	5/5	+	..	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2016	US$ 1 499	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) 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 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.

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Other camera comparisons

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