Sony A7 II vs Canon G1X Mark III

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Sony A7 II vs Canon G1X Mark III

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35mm 855.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A7 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7 II.
Compare Sony A7 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7 II conclusion.

APS-C 332.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
24.00mm - 72.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon G1X Mark III Review.
How does it shoot? Canon G1X Mark III in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G1X Mark III.

Succeeded by the Sony A7 III
Compare A7 II vs A7 III
Compare Sony A7 III vs Canon G1X Mark III

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Differences

Sony A7 II advantages over Canon G1X Mark III

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.97 vs 3.72 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

350 vs 200 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bigger JPEG buffer
52 vs 23 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
28 vs 16 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon G1X Mark III advantages over Sony A7 II

Less expensive
$999* vs $1598
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
7 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Less shutter lag
0.12 vs 0.22 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Faster JPEG shooting
9.3 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.4 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Both provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
On-sensor phase detect
Both provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Read A7 II User Reviews

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Canon G1X Mark III

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Review Excerpt

Excellent 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization; Sensor-shift IS brings stabilization to nearly any lens; Much-improved ergonomics and top-deck control layout; 'Mark II' maintains same impressive image quality, dynamic range and high ISO performance; XAVC S 50Mbps video format; Faster start-up time; Hybrid AF performs well with good continuous AF.
(Similar to A7): Loud shutter (but electronic first-curtain helps); Battery life could be better; Low-light AF still not as good as most DSLRs; High ISO JPEGs look over-processed; Slow buffer clearing; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses (but it's getting better).
Read our Sony A7 II Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Canon G1X Mark III, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Canon G1X Mark III Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7

Sony A7 II

Sony A7

$1077
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization

$748
35mm

Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A7

Canon G1X Mark III

Sony A7

$999
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$748
35mm

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon G1X Mark III vs Sony A7

Compared to Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Sony A7 II

Leica X-E (Typ 102)

$1077
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$1534
APS-C

Internal flash
Higher max flash sync

Compare Sony A7 II vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Canon G1X Mark III

Leica X-E (Typ 102)

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$1534
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G1X Mark III vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A7 II

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$1077
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3802
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Canon G1X Mark III

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$3802
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G1X Mark III vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Compared to Fujifilm X70

Sony A7 II

Fujifilm X70

$1077
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Fujifilm X70

Canon G1X Mark III

Fujifilm X70

$999
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon G1X Mark III vs Fujifilm X70

Compared to Sony A7 III

Sony A7 II

Sony A7 III

$1077
35mm

In-camera panoramas

$1531
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A7 III

Canon G1X Mark III

Sony A7 III

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1531
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G1X Mark III vs Sony A7 III

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