• 1.5 inch 261.8mm2
  • 14.3 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon G1X advantages over Sony RX100 II

  • Larger sensor
    1.5 inch vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.30 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~1.90 vs 2.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    644 vs 483 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    Unlimited vs 13 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony RX100 II advantages over Canon G1X

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/2.8
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More dynamic range
    12.4 vs 10.8 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 64 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    281g vs 543g
    Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
    0.15 vs 0.70 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 14.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.6 fps vs 4.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    13 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    4.9 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Large-sensor image quality. Sharp lens with useful zoom range. Tilt/swivel LCD. Twin dials. Smaller than competing interchangeable-lens cameras with a similar lens. Lots of photographer-friendly features.

  • Not as small as you might hope. Mediocre burst shooting and autofocus speed. Far too easy to accidentally change exposure compensation. Viewfinder is of surprisingly little use. Battery life could be better.

  • Read our Canon G1X Review

  • New, 20.2MP, 1-inch type, backside illuminated (BSI) image sensor produces superb image quality, with particular improvements in low light and high ISO; 3-inch tilting rear LCD screen handy for composing shots from difficult angles; Fast all-around performer with quick autofocus and virtually no shutter lag; New, multi-interface hotshoe for adding a strobe or optional electronic viewfinder; Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC.

  • Bigger and heavier than previous model; More expensive than previous model; Reduced burst performance when shooting RAW files; Somewhat confusing menu structure and control layout; Wi-Fi features can be difficult to set up.

  • Read our Sony RX100 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100

Canon G1X
Sony RX100
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon G1X vs Sony RX100

Sony RX100 II
Sony RX100
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • Faster RAW shooting

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Canon G1X
Sony RX100 III
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon G1X vs Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100 II
Sony RX100 III
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Sigma DP1 Merrill

Canon G1X
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G1X vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Sony RX100 II
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Compared to Sigma dp2 Quattro

Canon G1X
Sigma dp2 Quattro
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less shutter lag

Compare Canon G1X vs Sigma dp2 Quattro

Sony RX100 II
Sigma dp2 Quattro
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sigma dp2 Quattro

Compared to Sony RX100 IV

Canon G1X
Sony RX100 IV
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon G1X vs Sony RX100 IV

Sony RX100 II
Sony RX100 IV
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100 IV

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