Sony RX100 II vs Canon G1X Mark II

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Sony RX100 II vs Canon G1X Mark II

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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.

1.5 inch 233.8mm²
13.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon G1X Mark II Review.
How does it shoot? Canon G1X Mark II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G1X Mark II.
Compare Canon G1X Mark II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon G1X Mark II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony RX100 III
Compare RX100 II vs RX100 III

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

Compare SONY RX100 III vs CANON G1X MARK III

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Differences

Sony RX100 II advantages over Canon G1X Mark II

In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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 II test data on DxO Mark G1X Mark II test data on DxO Mark

12.4 vs 10.8 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
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 240 shots
Capture more photos
Thinner
38 mm vs 66 mm
Thinner
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Lighter weight
281g vs 563g
Lighter weight
Less shutter lag
0.15 vs 0.21 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.2 vs 13.1 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 5.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
4.9 fps vs 1.4 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon G1X Mark II advantages over Sony RX100 II

Larger sensor
1.5 inch vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.30 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Fast startup
~2.00 vs 2.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
More telephoto lens reach
120 mm vs 100 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 Mark II test data on DxO Mark RX100 II test data on DxO Mark

581 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
Wider angle lens
24 mm vs 28 mm
Capture more of the scene
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 13 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
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

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
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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
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
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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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Canon G1X Mark II

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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

Wider, longer, faster lens than predecessor, with good overall optical quality; Faster AF performance; Closer macro shooting; Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC with remote shooting; Decent JPEG burst performance; Excellent build quality.
Localized flare issue when wide open; No real net improvement in image quality over predecessor; Slow burst mode when shooting RAW files; Poor battery life; Video quality is so-so (not like Canon DSLRs).
Read our Canon G1X Mark II Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100

Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100

$598
1 inch

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$1095
1 inch

Faster RAW shooting

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100

Canon G1X Mark II

Sony RX100

$599
1.5 inch

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1095
1 inch

In-camera panoramas
More dynamic range

Compare Canon G1X Mark II 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 G1X Mark II

Sony RX100 III

$599
1.5 inch

Larger sensor
Less expensive

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon G1X Mark II vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Panasonic LX100

Sony RX100 II

Panasonic LX100

$598
1 inch

Tiltable Screen
More telephoto lens reach

$598
4/3

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Panasonic LX100

Canon G1X Mark II

Panasonic LX100

$599
1.5 inch

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

$598
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon G1X Mark II vs Panasonic LX100

Compared to Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Sony RX100 II

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

$598
1 inch

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

$875
4/3

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Canon G1X Mark II

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

$599
1.5 inch

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$875
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon G1X Mark II vs Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

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 G1X Mark II

Sony RX100 IV

$599
1.5 inch

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$898
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon G1X Mark II vs Sony RX100 IV

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