Canon G1 X Mark II vs T8i

The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II and the Canon EOS Rebel T8i (labelled Canon 850D in some countries) are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in February 2014 and February 2020. The G1X Mark II is a fixed lens compact, while the T8i is a DSLR. The cameras are based on an 1.5-inch (G1X Mark II) and an APS-C (T8i) sensor. The G1X Mark II has a resolution of 13 megapixels, whereas the T8i 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 T8i
Fixed lens compact camera		Digital single lens reflex
24-120mm f/2.0-3.9		Canon EF mount lenses
13 MP – 1.5" sensor		24 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/30p Video		4K/24p Video
ISO 100-12,800		ISO 100-25,600 (100 - 51,200)
Viewfinder optional		Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 1040k dots		3.0" LCD – 1040k dots
Tilting touchscreen		Swivel touchscreen
5.2 shutter flaps per second		7.5 shutter flaps per second
240 shots per battery charge		800 shots per battery charge
116 x 74 x 66 mm, 553 g		131 x 103 x 76 mm, 515 g

Check G1X Mark II offers at
ebay.com
Check T8i offers at
ebay.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II and the Canon EOS Rebel T8i? 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 T8i 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 size 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 T8i is considerably larger (57 percent) than the Canon G1 X Mark II. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the G1X Mark II nor the T8i are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the G1X Mark II has a lens built in, whereas the T8i 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 T8i and their specifications in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the G1X Mark II gets 240 shots out of its Canon NB-12L battery, while the T8i can take 800 images on a single charge of its Canon LP-E17 power pack.

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, 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	EUR 849	ebay.com
2.		Canon T8i	131 mm	103 mm	76 mm	515 g	800	n	Feb 2020	EUR 899	ebay.com
3.		Canon 77D	131 mm	100 mm	76 mm	540 g	600	n	Feb 2017	EUR 899	ebay.com
4.		Canon 450D	129 mm	98 mm	62 mm	524 g	500	n	Jan 2008	EUR 699	ebay.com
5.		Canon 500D	129 mm	98 mm	62 mm	520 g	400	n	Mar 2009	EUR 699	ebay.com
6.		Canon 760D	132 mm	101 mm	78 mm	565 g	440	n	Feb 2015	EUR 749	ebay.com
7.		Canon G1 X	117 mm	81 mm	65 mm	534 g	250	n	Jan 2012	EUR 749	ebay.com
8.		Canon G5 X	112 mm	76 mm	44 mm	353 g	210	n	Oct 2015	EUR 789	ebay.com
9.		Canon G16	109 mm	76 mm	40 mm	356 g	360	n	Aug 2013	EUR 599	ebay.com
10.		Canon S120	100 mm	59 mm	29 mm	217 g	230	n	Aug 2013	EUR 499	ebay.com
11.		Canon SL3	122 mm	93 mm	70 mm	449 g	1070	n	Apr 2019	EUR 549	amazon.com
12.		Canon SX60	128 mm	93 mm	114 mm	650 g	340	n	Sep 2014	EUR 529	ebay.com
13.		Canon T6i	132 mm	101 mm	78 mm	555 g	440	n	Feb 2015	EUR 699	ebay.com
14.		Canon T6s	132 mm	101 mm	78 mm	565 g	440	n	Feb 2015	EUR 749	ebay.com
15.		Canon T7i	131 mm	100 mm	76 mm	532 g	600	n	Feb 2017	EUR 849	ebay.com
16.		Olympus Stylus 1	116 mm	87 mm	57 mm	402 g	410	n	Oct 2013	EUR 499	ebay.com
17.		Panasonic LX100	115 mm	66 mm	55 mm	393 g	300	n	Sep 2014	EUR 799	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 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. 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. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants 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. 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 T8i an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the T8i is 27 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.85 and 1.6. The sensor in the G1X Mark II has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the T8i offers a 3:2 aspect.

Technology-wise, the T8i uses a more advanced image processing engine (DIGIC 8) than the G1X Mark II (DIGIC 6), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

With 24MP, the T8i offers a higher resolution than the G1X Mark II (13MP), but the T8i has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.72μm versus 4.49μm for the G1X Mark II). Yet, the T8i is a much more recent model (by 6 years) 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 T8i implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the T8i 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 T8i 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 EOS Rebel T8i are ISO 100 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-51200.

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.

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 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 G1 X Mark II	1.5-inch	13.0	4160	3120	1080/30p	21.5	10.8	581	58
2.		Canon T8i	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/24p	24.0	13.5	1873	83
3.		Canon 77D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.6	13.3	971	78
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 SL3	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/25p	23.9	13.4	1791	82
12.		Canon SX60	1/2.3	14.2	4608	3072	1080/60p	19.2	10.8	127	39
13.		Canon T6i	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	22.7	12.0	919	71
14.		Canon T6s	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	22.6	12.0	915	70
15.		Canon T7i	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.7	13.1	1586	80
16.		Olympus Stylus 1	1/1.7	11.8	3968	2976	1080/30p	20.7	11.6	179	51
17.		Panasonic LX100	Four Thirds	12.7	4112	3088	4K/30p	22.3	12.5	553	67
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

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 T8i provides a better video resolution than the G1X Mark II. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/24p, 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 T8i has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful 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 adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon G1 X Mark II and Canon T8i along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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 T8i	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	7.5/s	Y	n
3.		Canon 77D	optical	Y	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	6.0/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 SL3	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
12.		Canon SX60	922	n	3.0 / 922	swivel	n	1/2000s	6.4/s	Y	Y
13.		Canon T6i	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
14.		Canon T6s	optical	Y	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
15.		Canon T7i	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	6.0/s	Y	n
16.		Olympus Stylus 1	1440	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	7.0/s	Y	Y
17.		Panasonic LX100	2764	n	3.0 / 921	fixed	n	1/4000s	11.0/s	n	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 T8i 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 II and the T8i 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 EOS Rebel T8i 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 T8i	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	Y
3.		Canon 77D	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	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 SL3	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	Y
12.		Canon SX60	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
13.		Canon T6i	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
14.		Canon T6s	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
15.		Canon T7i	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	Y
16.		Olympus Stylus 1	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
17.		Panasonic LX100	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-

It is notable that the T8i has a microphone port, which can help to improve the quality of audio recordings by attaching an external microphone. The G1X Mark II does not feature such a mic input.

Both the G1X Mark II and the T8i 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 T8i does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the G1X Mark II and T8i can be found, respectively, in the Canon G1 X Mark II Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon T8i Manual.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon G1 X Mark II and the Canon T8i? Which camera is better? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

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

• Ready to shoot: Comes with a built-in lens, while the T8i requires a separate lens.
• More compact: Is smaller (116x74mm vs 131x103mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
• Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in February 2014).

Advantages of the Canon EOS Rebel T8i:

• 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 8 vs DIGIC 6).
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/24p vs 1080/30p).
• Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
• Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
• Easier framing: Has an optical 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 (7.5 vs 5.2 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More flexible: Makes it possible to change lenses and thus to use specialty optics.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (800 versus 240) out of a single battery charge.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• More modern: Reflects 6 years of technical progress since the G1X Mark II launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the T8i is the clear winner of the contest (16 : 5 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 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 T8i 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 G1X Mark II and the T8i 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	EUR 849	ebay.com
2.		Canon T8i	4.5/5	+	3/5	80/100	4/5	3.5/5	Feb 2020	EUR 899	ebay.com
3.		Canon 77D	4.5/5	..	4/5	82/100	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2017	EUR 899	ebay.com
4.		Canon 450D	..	+ +	..	+ +	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2008	EUR 699	ebay.com
5.		Canon 500D	..	+ +	..	74/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2009	EUR 699	ebay.com
6.		Canon 760D	5/5	+	..	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	EUR 749	ebay.com
7.		Canon G1 X	5/5	+	..	76/100	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2012	EUR 749	ebay.com
8.		Canon G5 X	5/5	+ +	..	78/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2015	EUR 789	ebay.com
9.		Canon G16	4/5	+	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2013	EUR 599	ebay.com
10.		Canon S120	..	+ +	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2013	EUR 499	ebay.com
11.		Canon SL3	4/5	o	4.5/5	79/100	4/5	4/5	Apr 2019	EUR 549	amazon.com
12.		Canon SX60	3/5	+ +	..	75/100	4/5	4.5/5	Sep 2014	EUR 529	ebay.com
13.		Canon T6i	5/5	..	..	75/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	EUR 699	ebay.com
14.		Canon T6s	5/5	+	..	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	EUR 749	ebay.com
15.		Canon T7i	4.5/5	..	3.5/5	80/100	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2017	EUR 849	ebay.com
16.		Olympus Stylus 1	..	+ +	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2013	EUR 499	ebay.com
17.		Panasonic LX100	5/5	+ +	..	85/100	5/5	5/5	Sep 2014	EUR 799	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, 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 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.

Check G1X Mark II offers at
ebay.com
Check T8i offers at
ebay.com

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. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

~

Check G1X Mark II offers at
ebay.com
Check T8i offers at
ebay.com

Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.