Canon G1X vs Sony RX100 IV

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Canon G1X vs Sony RX100 IV

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1.5 inch 261.8mm²
14.3 megapixels
28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon G1X Review.
See real-world photos taken with the G1X.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX100 IV Review.
How does it shoot? Sony RX100 IV in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the RX100 IV.
Compare Sony RX100 IV image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony RX100 IV conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon G1X Mark II
Compare G1X vs G1X Mark II

Succeeded by the Sony RX100 V
Compare RX100 IV vs RX100 V

Compare CANON G1X MARK II vs SONY RX100 V

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Differences

Canon G1X advantages over Sony RX100 IV

Larger sensor
1.5 inch vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Less expensive
$800 vs $1000 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Bigger pixels
~ 4.30 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
More telephoto lens reach
112 mm vs 70 mm
Capture objects farther away
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
G1X test data on DxO Mark RX100 IV test data on DxO Mark

644 vs 562 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger RAW buffer
Unlimited vs 28 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Sony RX100 IV advantages over Canon G1X

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
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

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
RX100 IV test data on DxO Mark G1X test data on DxO Mark

12.6 vs 10.8 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Thinner
41 mm vs 64 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
295g vs 543g
Lighter weight
Less shutter lag
0.16 vs 0.70 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.1 vs 14.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Wider angle lens
24 mm vs 28 mm
Capture more of the scene
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
16.0 fps vs 4.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
40 vs 6 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
8.6 fps vs 1.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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.
Integrated ND filter
Both provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read G1X 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

Vastly improved burst speeds with deep buffer; Great performance with very fast autofocus; Very high resolution gives lots of detail in good light; High ISO noise levels much better than most pocket camera rivals; High-quality 4K video with uncompressed HDMI out; Super-fast High Frame Rate video; Same great pocket-friendly design.
Pricey for a compact camera; JPEGs can look over-processed at higher ISOs; Lens doesn't offer as much telephoto reach; Battery life not as good as predecessor; 24-70mm-equivalent lens can feel limiting.
Read our Sony RX100 IV Review

The Competition

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 IV

Sigma DP1 Merrill

$898
1 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$849
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Sony RX100 IV 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 IV

Sigma dp2 Quattro

$898
1 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Sigma dp2 Quattro

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 IV

Sony RX100 III

$898
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Shoot 4K video

$748
1 inch

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Sony RX100 V

Canon G1X

Sony RX100 V

$576
1.5 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$998
1 inch

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon G1X vs Sony RX100 V

Sony RX100 IV

Sony RX100 V

$898
1 inch

Longer stills battery life

$998
1 inch

On-sensor phase detect
Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Sony RX100 V

Compared to Canon G1X Mark III

Canon G1X

Canon G1X Mark III

$576
1.5 inch

Bigger pixels
More telephoto lens reach

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon G1X vs Canon G1X Mark III

Sony RX100 IV

Canon G1X Mark III

$898
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
Larger lens aperture

$999
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Canon G1X Mark III

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