• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony A7 II advantages over Canon G5X

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 215 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 20.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    52 vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    5.0 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon G5X advantages over Sony A7 II

  • Less expensive
    $700* 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
  • 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
  • Thinner
    44 mm vs 59 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.6 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    Unlimited vs 28 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (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
  • 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
  • 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 Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A7 II
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 28-70mm Lens
All A7 II Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon G5X
Canon G5X
All G5X Deals

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

  • Photographer-friendly controls; Good OLED viewfinder; Good image quality with sharp detail especially with RAW; Vari-angle touchscreen display.

  • Only 31 autofocus points; Subpar continuous shooting performance; Soft corners at wide-angle; Flare issues and fringing shooting wide-open; No 4K video; Poor battery life.

  • Read our Canon G5X Review

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 G5X
Sony A7
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G5X vs Sony A7

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 G5X
Leica SL (Typ 601)
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G5X vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Compared to Canon G7X Mark II

Sony A7 II
Canon G7X Mark II
  • $1077
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Canon G7X Mark II

Canon G5X
Canon G7X Mark II
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Shoots 24p video

Compare Canon G5X vs Canon G7X Mark II

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 G5X
Sony A7 III
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1531
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G5X vs Sony A7 III

Compared to Canon G5X Mark II

Sony A7 II
Canon G5X Mark II
  • $1077
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony A7 II vs Canon G5X Mark II

Canon G5X
Canon G5X Mark II
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon G5X vs Canon G5X Mark II

Compare Other Cameras?