Canon G1 X Mark III vs Nikon D50

The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III and the Nikon D50 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in October 2017 and April 2005. The G1X Mark III is a fixed lens compact, while the D50 is a DSLR. Both cameras are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 24 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 6 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		Nikon D50
Fixed lens compact camera		Digital single lens reflex
24-72mm f/2.8-5.6		Nikon F mount lenses
24 MP – APS-C sensor		6 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/60p Video		no Video
ISO 100-25,600		ISO 200-1,600
Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)		Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 1040k dots		2.0" LCD – 130k dots
Swivel touchscreen		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
9 shutter flaps per second		2.5 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed body		not weather sealed
200 shots per battery charge		400 shots per battery charge
115 x 78 x 51 mm, 399 g		133 x 102 x 76 mm, 620 g

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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III and the Nikon D50? 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

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon G1 X Mark III and the Nikon D50 is provided 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 width, height and depth measures 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 Nikon D50 is considerably larger (51 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 D50 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 built in, whereas the D50 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 D50 and their specifications in the Nikon Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the G1X Mark III gets 200 shots out of its Canon NB-13L battery, while the D50 can take 400 images on a single charge of its Nikon EN-EL3 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 III	115 mm	78 mm	51 mm	399 g	200	Y	Oct 2017	EUR 1 199	ebay.com
2.		Nikon D50	133 mm	102 mm	76 mm	620 g	400	n	Apr 2005	EUR 749	ebay.com
3.		Canon 6D Mark II	144 mm	111 mm	75 mm	765 g	1200	Y	Jun 2017	EUR 2 099	amazon.com
4.		Canon 80D	139 mm	105 mm	79 mm	730 g	960	Y	Feb 2016	EUR 1 285	ebay.com
5.		Canon 200D	122 mm	93 mm	70 mm	453 g	650	n	Jun 2017	EUR 599	ebay.com
6.		Canon G9 X Mark II	98 mm	58 mm	31 mm	206 g	235	n	Jan 2017	EUR 499	ebay.com
7.		Canon M50	116 mm	88 mm	59 mm	390 g	235	n	Feb 2018	EUR 779	ebay.com
8.		Canon SX540	120 mm	82 mm	92 mm	442 g	205	n	Jan 2016	EUR 369	ebay.com
9.		Fujifilm X100F	127 mm	75 mm	52 mm	469 g	390	n	Jan 2017	EUR 1 399	ebay.com
10.		Fujifilm X100V	128 mm	75 mm	53 mm	478 g	420	Y	Feb 2020	EUR 1 499	ebay.com
11.		Nikon D40	124 mm	94 mm	64 mm	522 g	470	n	Nov 2006	EUR 499	ebay.com
12.		Nikon D60	126 mm	94 mm	64 mm	522 g	500	n	Jan 2008	EUR 499	ebay.com
13.		Nikon D70	140 mm	111 mm	78 mm	679 g	400	n	Jan 2004	EUR 999	ebay.com
14.		Nikon D70s	140 mm	111 mm	78 mm	679 g	500	n	Apr 2005	EUR 949	ebay.com
15.		Nikon D80	132 mm	103 mm	77 mm	668 g	600	n	Aug 2006	EUR 969	ebay.com
16.		Nikon D7500	136 mm	104 mm	73 mm	720 g	950	Y	Apr 2017	EUR 1 499	amazon.com
17.		Sony RX10 III	133 mm	94 mm	127 mm	1051 g	420	Y	Mar 2016	EUR 1 599	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. 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

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. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the D50 is 11 percent bigger. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Canon G1 X Mark III offers a higher resolution of 24 megapixels, compared with 6 MP of the Nikon D50. 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 7.85μm for the D50). However, it should be noted that the G1X Mark III is much more recent (by 12 years and 5 months) than the D50, 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 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 Nikon D50 are 15 x 10 inches or 38.2 x 25.4 cm for good quality, 12 x 8 inches or 30.6 x 20.3 cm for very good quality, and 10 x 6.7 inches or 25.5 x 16.9 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 III has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon D50 are ISO 200 to ISO 1600 (no boost).

In terms of underlying technology, the G1X Mark III is build around a CMOS sensor, while the D50 uses a CCD imager. 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 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	23.8	13.2	1649	81
2.		Nikon D50	APS-C	6.0	3008	2000	none	20.9	10.8	560	55
3.		Canon 6D Mark II	Full Frame	26.0	6240	4160	1080/60p	24.4	11.9	2862	85
4.		Canon 80D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.6	13.2	1135	79
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 M50	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/24p	23.8	13.3	1684	81
8.		Canon SX540	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	20.3	11.7	806	48
9.		Fujifilm X100F	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.9	13.2	1704	81
10.		Fujifilm X100V	APS-C	26.0	6240	4160	4K/30p	24.2	13.6	1996	84
11.		Nikon D40	APS-C	6.0	3008	2000	none	21.0	11.0	561	56
12.		Nikon D60	APS-C	10.0	3872	2592	none	22.5	11.4	562	65
13.		Nikon D70	APS-C	6.0	3008	2000	none	20.4	10.3	529	50
14.		Nikon D70s	APS-C	6.0	3008	2000	none	20.4	10.3	529	50
15.		Nikon D80	APS-C	10.0	3872	2592	none	22.1	11.2	524	61
16.		Nikon D7500	APS-C	20.7	5568	3712	4K/30p	24.3	14.0	1483	86
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. The G1X Mark III indeed provides movie recording capabilities, while the D50 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 D50 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 Nikon D50, 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 III	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/2000s	9.0/s	Y	Y
2.		Nikon D50	optical	n	2.0 / 130	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.5/s	Y	n
3.		Canon 6D Mark II	optical	Y	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	6.5/s	n	n
4.		Canon 80D	optical	Y	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	7.0/s	Y	n
5.		Canon 200D	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
6.		Canon G9 X Mark II	none	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	Y	1/2000s	8.2/s	Y	Y
7.		Canon M50	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	10.0/s	Y	n
8.		Canon SX540	none	n	3.0 / 461	fixed	n	1/2000s	5.9/s	Y	Y
9.		Fujifilm X100F	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	8.0/s	Y	n
10.		Fujifilm X100V	3690	n	3.0 / 1620	tilting	Y	1/4000s	11.0/s	n	n
11.		Nikon D40	optical	n	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.5/s	Y	n
12.		Nikon D60	optical	n	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
13.		Nikon D70	optical	n	1.8 / 130	fixed	n	1/8000s	3.0/s	Y	n
14.		Nikon D70s	optical	n	2.0 / 130	fixed	n	1/8000s	3.0/s	Y	n
15.		Nikon D80	optical	n	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
16.		Nikon D7500	optical	Y	3.2 / 922	tilting	Y	1/8000s	8.0/s	Y	n
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.

One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The G1X Mark III has a touchscreen, while the D50 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

The Canon G1 X Mark III 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 G1X Mark III writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the D50 uses SD cards. The G1X Mark III supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the D50 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

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 Nikon D50 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 III	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
2.		Nikon D50	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
3.		Canon 6D Mark II	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	Y
4.		Canon 80D	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	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 M50	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
8.		Canon SX540	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
9.		Fujifilm X100F	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
10.		Fujifilm X100V	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
11.		Nikon D40	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
12.		Nikon D60	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
13.		Nikon D70	Y	- / -	-	-	-	1.0	-	-	-
14.		Nikon D70s	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
15.		Nikon D80	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
16.		Nikon D7500	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	Y	-	Y
17.		Sony RX10 III	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-

It is notable that the G1X Mark III offers wifi support, while the D50 does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

Both the G1X Mark III and the D50 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The D50 was replaced by the Nikon D40, while the G1X Mark III does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the G1X Mark III and D50 can be found, respectively, in the Canon G1 X Mark III Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon D50 Manual.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon G1 X Mark III and the Nikon D50? Which camera is better? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Reasons to prefer the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (24 vs 6MP) with a 100% higher linear resolution.
• 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.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.0") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 130k dots).
• 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 2.5 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 D50 requires a separate lens.
• More compact: Is smaller (115x78mm vs 133x102mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter even though it comes with a built-in lens (unlike the D50).
• Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
• 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.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
• More modern: Reflects 12 years and 5 months of technical progress since the D50 launch.

Arguments in favor of the Nikon D50:

• 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: Makes it possible to change lenses and thus to use specialty optics.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (400 versus 200) out of a single battery charge.
• More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in April 2005).

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 (21 : 5 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 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 III and the Nikon D50 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 remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the G1X Mark III or the D50. 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 table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear 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 III	5/5	+	4/5	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2017	EUR 1 199	ebay.com
2.		Nikon D50	..	78/100	..	+ +	4/5	4.5/5	Apr 2005	EUR 749	ebay.com
3.		Canon 6D Mark II	4/5	+	4/5	80/100	4.5/5	4/5	Jun 2017	EUR 2 099	amazon.com
4.		Canon 80D	4/5	+ +	4.5/5	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	EUR 1 285	ebay.com
5.		Canon 200D	4/5	+ +	4/5	78/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2017	EUR 599	ebay.com
6.		Canon G9 X Mark II	4/5	..	4/5	75/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	EUR 499	ebay.com
7.		Canon M50	..	+	4/5	79/100	..	3.5/5	Feb 2018	EUR 779	ebay.com
8.		Canon SX540	..	..	..	..	..	..	Jan 2016	EUR 369	ebay.com
9.		Fujifilm X100F	5/5	+	3.9/5	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	EUR 1 399	ebay.com
10.		Fujifilm X100V	5/5	+ +	4.5/5	86/100	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2020	EUR 1 499	ebay.com
11.		Nikon D40	..	81/100	..	+ +	o	4.5/5	Nov 2006	EUR 499	ebay.com
12.		Nikon D60	..	80/100	..	+ +	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2008	EUR 499	ebay.com
13.		Nikon D70	..	..	..	+ +	..	..	Jan 2004	EUR 999	ebay.com
14.		Nikon D70s	..	..	..	..	..	5/5	Apr 2005	EUR 949	ebay.com
15.		Nikon D80	..	+	..	+ +	o	4.5/5	Aug 2006	EUR 969	ebay.com
16.		Nikon D7500	4.5/5	+ +	4.5/5	86/100	5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2017	EUR 1 499	amazon.com
17.		Sony RX10 III	5/5	+	..	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2016	EUR 1 599	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. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods 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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