Sony RX100 II vs Canon G16

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony RX100 II vs Canon G16

Leave Feedback

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
28.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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

1/1.7 inch 43.3mm²
12.1 megapixels
28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon G16 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon G16 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G16.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon G16 conclusion.

Buy From

Differences

Sony RX100 II advantages over Canon G16

Larger sensor
1 inch vs 1/1.7 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 2.41 vs 1.90 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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.
RX100 II test data on DxO Mark G16 test data on DxO Mark

483 vs 230 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Less shutter lag
0.15 vs 0.31 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Bigger JPEG buffer
13 vs 5 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
4.9 fps vs 1.8 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon G16 advantages over Sony RX100 II

Less expensive
$499 vs $598
Save money for lenses or accessories
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Fast startup
~1.80 vs 2.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
More telephoto lens reach
140 mm vs 100 mm
Capture objects farther away
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

770 vs 350 shots
Capture more photos
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Longer exposure
250 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
12.5 fps vs 9.6 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
39 vs 13 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
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

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100M II

All RX100 II Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon G16

Canon G16

All G16 Deals

Review Excerpt

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

AF speed vastly improved; Increased continuous frames per second (JPEGs at 12.5fps vs 10fps in G15); Solid build and ergonomic, comfortable feel; Excellent f/1.8-2.8 5x optical zoom lens; Advanced photographic features, including PASM dial and RAW capture; Dedicated ISO button; Customizable buttons; Excellent macro mode; 1080p/60fps Full HD video.
LCD screen not articulated; Larger design makes it not very pocketable; Optical viewfinder not very accurate; RAW burst shooting still slow; Wi-Fi is clunky to set-up & no remote shooting capabilities; No built-in GPS.
Read our Canon G16 Review

The Competition

Compared to 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

Canon G16

Sony RX100

$499
1/1.7 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

$1074
1 inch

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G16 vs Sony RX100

Compared to 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

Canon G16

Sony RX100 III

$499
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
Slower slow-motion

$748
1 inch

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G16 vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Olympus XZ-2

Sony RX100 II

Olympus XZ-2

$598
1 inch

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$470
1/1.7 inch

Touchscreen
Fast startup

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Olympus XZ-2

Canon G16

Olympus XZ-2

$499
1/1.7 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$470
1/1.7 inch

Touchscreen
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon G16 vs Olympus XZ-2

Compared to Canon G15

Sony RX100 II

Canon G15

$598
1 inch

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$650
1/1.7 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Canon G15

Canon G16

Canon G15

$499
1/1.7 inch

Focus peaking
Built-in Wi-Fi

$650
1/1.7 inch

Shoots 24p video
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Canon G16 vs Canon G15

Compared to 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

Canon G16

Sony RX100 IV

$499
1/1.7 inch

More telephoto lens reach
Longer stills battery life

$898
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Larger sensor

Compare Canon G16 vs Sony RX100 IV

Compare Other Cameras?