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Canon G5 X Mark II Comparison Review

The Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II is a fixed lens compact camera that was revealed to the public in July 2019 and is equipped with an one-inch sensor. It offers a resolution of 20 megapixel.

camera

Is the Canon G5 X Mark II a good camera? The G5X Mark II has a Camera Elo of 2492. This rating puts the G5X Mark II among the top 10 percent of all travel zoom compact cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (one inch cameras), the G5X Mark II ranks among the top 20 percent. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 5-star performance rating.

Headline Specifications
Canon G5 X Mark II
Fixed lens compact camera
24-120mm f/1.8-2.8
20 MP, 1" Sensor
4K/30p Video
ISO 125 - 12 800 (125 - 25 600)
Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)
3.0 LCD, 1040k dots
Tilting touchscreen
30 shutter flaps per second
230 shots per battery charge
111 x 61 x 46 mm, 340 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

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Body comparison with a credit card

An illustration of the physical dimensions of the Canon G5 X Mark II vis-à-vis a credit card is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Canon G5 X Mark II vs credit card front
G5X Mark II versus credit card top view
G5X Mark II and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Canon G5 X Mark II alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
    Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon G5 X Mark II 111 mm 61 mm 46 mm 340 g 230 n Jul 2019 US$ 899ebay.com
2.
 
Canon G5 X 112 mm 76 mm 44 mm 353 g 210 n Oct 2015 US$ 799ebay.com
3.
 
Canon G7 X Mark II 106 mm 61 mm 42 mm 319 g 265 n Feb 2016 US$ 699ebay.com
4.
 
Canon G7 X Mark III 105 mm 61 mm 41 mm 304 g 235 n Jul 2019 US$ 749 amazon.com
5.
 
Canon M50 116 mm 88 mm 59 mm 390 g 235 n Feb 2018 US$ 779ebay.com
6.
 
Canon SX740 110 mm 64 mm 40 mm 299 g 265 n Jul 2018 US$ 399 amazon.com
7.
 
Leica C-LUX 113 mm 67 mm 46 mm 340 g 370 n Jun 2018 US$ 1 049ebay.com
8.
 
Panasonic LX100 II 115 mm 66 mm 65 mm 392 g 300 n Aug 2018 US$ 999ebay.com
9.
 
Panasonic ZS200 111 mm 65 mm 45 mm 340 g 370 n Feb 2018 US$ 799 amazon.com
10.
 
Sony RX100 VI 102 mm 58 mm 43 mm 301 g 240 n Jun 2018 US$ 1 199ebay.com
11.
 
Sony ZV-1 105 mm 60 mm 44 mm 294 g 260 n May 2020 US$ 799ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Canon G5 X Mark II was launched in the US market at a price of $899. 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.

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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant 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 associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

The Canon G5 X Mark II features an one-inch sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 2.7. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Canon G5 X Mark II among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.

Canon G5 X Mark II sensor measures

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for most cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of alternative cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
    Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon G5 X Mark II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.212.458365
2.
 
Canon G5 X 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p21.412.347162
3.
 
Canon G7 X Mark II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p21.811.926062
4.
 
Canon G7 X Mark III 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.212.458365
5.
 
Canon M50 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/24p23.813.3168481
6.
 
Canon SX740 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p20.612.1105051
7.
 
Leica C-LUX 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.112.348164
8.
 
Panasonic LX100 II Four Thirds 16.8 4736 35524K/30p22.812.797972
9.
 
Panasonic ZS200 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.012.244964
10.
 
Sony RX100 VI 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.112.347864
11.
 
Sony ZV-1 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.212.666966
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 G5X Mark II indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the G5X Mark II can use is 4K/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The adjacent tables list some of the other core features of the Canon G5 X Mark II along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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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 G5 X Mark II2360 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 30/s Y Y
2.
 
Canon G5 X2360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/2000s 5.9/s Y Y
3.
 
Canon G7 X Mark IInone n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 8.0/s Y Y
4.
 
Canon G7 X Mark IIInone n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 30/s Y Y
5.
 
Canon M502360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 10.0/s Y n
6.
 
Canon SX740none n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/3200s 10.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Leica C-LUX2330 n3.0 / 1240 fixed Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
8.
 
Panasonic LX100 II2764 n3.0 / 1240 fixed Y 1/4000s 11.0/s n Y
9.
 
Panasonic ZS2002330 n3.0 / 1240 fixed Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Sony RX100 VI2359 n3.0 / 1229 tilting Y 1/2000s 24.0/s Y Y
11.
 
Sony ZV-1none n3.0 / 922 swivel Y 1/2000s 24.0/s n n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

The LCD screen on the Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II is flexibly attached to the body. In particular, the LCD can be tilted vertically to facilitate odd-angle shots in landscape orientation. This tilting design is often preferred, for example, by street photographers to a fully articulated, swivel type of LCD attachment, as it is more unobtrusive during shooting than a screen that flips out to the side.

articulated screen
Flexible screen on the G5X Mark II

One convenient feature of the G5X Mark II is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.

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Connection 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 G5 X Mark II and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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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 G5 X Mark II-stereo / mono--micro3.1Y-Y
2.
 
Canon G5 XYstereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
3.
 
Canon G7 X Mark II-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
4.
 
Canon G7 X Mark III-stereo / monoY-micro3.1Y-Y
5.
 
Canon M50Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
6.
 
Canon SX740-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
7.
 
Leica C-LUX-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
8.
 
Panasonic LX100 IIYstereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
9.
 
Panasonic ZS200-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
10.
 
Sony RX100 VI-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
11.
 
Sony ZV-1Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y

It is notable that the G5X Mark II offers wifi support. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

The G5X Mark II has a zoom lens built in (8.8-44mm f/1.8-2.8), which, in full frame equivalent terms, provides a focal length range from 24 to 120mm. The camera is, hence, ready to shoot, while remaining more compact in size than an interchangeable lens camera with an optic that offers similar focal length and aperture specifications.

Further information on the features and operation of the G5X Mark II can be found in the free online Canon G5 X Mark II Manual or on the Canon support site.

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Expert reviews

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 G5X Mark II handle or perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall rankings 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]).

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Review Scores
     Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon G5 X Mark II4/5+4/582/100..4/5 Jul 2019 US$ 899ebay.com
2.
 
Canon G5 X5/5+ +..78/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2015 US$ 799ebay.com
3.
 
Canon G7 X Mark II4.5/5+ +..81/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2016 US$ 699ebay.com
4.
 
Canon G7 X Mark III..+ +4/581/1004/5.. Jul 2019 US$ 749 amazon.com
5.
 
Canon M50..+4/579/100..3.5/5 Feb 2018 US$ 779ebay.com
6.
 
Canon SX740..+3.5/5..4/54/5 Jul 2018 US$ 399 amazon.com
7.
 
Leica C-LUX....3.5/5..4.5/54/5 Jun 2018 US$ 1 049ebay.com
8.
 
Panasonic LX100 II4.5/5+4.2/582/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2018 US$ 999ebay.com
9.
 
Panasonic ZS200..+ +4.5/581/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2018 US$ 799 amazon.com
10.
 
Sony RX100 VI4.5/5+ +..83/1004/54.5/5 Jun 2018 US$ 1 199ebay.com
11.
 
Sony ZV-14/5+4/585/1004/54.5/5 May 2020 US$ 799ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Canon G5 X Mark II FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the G5X Mark II.

What type of imaging sensor is used in the Canon G5 X Mark II?

The camera has a BSI-CMOS (Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor at its core.

Which image processing chip is used in the Canon G5 X Mark II to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Canon equipped the G5X Mark II with the DIGIC 8 image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Canon G5 X Mark II?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 125 to ISO 12800.

Does the Canon G5 X Mark II have a selfie-friendly screen?

Yes, the LCD-screen of the G5X Mark II is flexible and can be turned to be front-facing for capturing selfies.

How do I find the shutter count on my Canon G5 X Mark II?

Canon embeds the number of shutter actuations in the camera firmware. You can check the number of shots that your G5X Mark II has taken up to now by using a third-party app, as described on the Canon G5 X Mark II shutter count page.

Is completely silent shooting possible with the Canon G5 X Mark II?

The camera has an electronic shutter option, so that it is indeed feasible to capture images without any shutter noise.

Do I need to purchase an external camera trigger to shoot time-lapse sequences with the Canon G5 X Mark II?

No, the Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II has an intervalometer built-in, so that low frequency shooting (for example, flower blooming, sunset, moon rise) can be undertaken without the need to purchase a separate external intervalometer and related software.

Is it difficult to use manual focus lenses with the Canon G5 X Mark II?

The G5X Mark II offers focus peaking as a manual focus aid. This feature works by placing a colored highlight on in-focus zones within the image.

Does the Canon G5 X Mark II feature an autofocus assist light?

Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.

Does the Canon G5 X Mark II support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?

Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-I cards (data transfer speed of up to 104 MB/s).

Which battery does the Canon G5 X Mark II use?

The camera gets its power from the Canon NB-13L (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Where can I find the best deals for the Canon G5 X Mark II?

Grey imports from Asia, as found on ebay, are often very attractively priced. However, these cameras come without a warranty from Canon.

Camera to camera comparisons

In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, 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 Summary
    Camera Model Canon G5 X Mark II
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens 24-120mm f/1.8-2.8
    Launch Date July 2019
    Launch Price USD 899
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology BSI-CMOS
    Sensor Format 1" Sensor
    Sensor Size 13.2 x 8.8 mm
    Sensor Area 116 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 15.9 mm
    Crop Factor 2.7x
    Sensor Resolution 20 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5 472 x 3 648 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 2.41 μm
    Pixel Density 17.18 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 4K/30p Video
    ISO Setting 125 - 12 800 ISO
    ISO Boost 125 - 25 600 ISO
    Image Processor DIGIC 8
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Resolution 2360k dots
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 3.0 inch
    LCD Resolution 1040k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen
    V-logging Friendliness Front-flip possible
    Touch Input Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peaking
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/2000s
    Continuous Shooting 30 shutter flaps/s
    Silent ShootingElectronic Shutter
    Time Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer Built-in
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash no Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 3.1
    HDMI Port micro HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in
    Bluetooth Support Bluetooth built-in
    Body Specs
    Battery Type Canon NB-13L power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)230 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 111 x 61 x 46 mm
    (4.4 x 2.4 x 1.8 in)
    Camera Weight 340 g (12.0 oz)

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