Canon G7X Mark II Image Quality

Right off the bat, we see better color from the G7X Mark II than from its predecessor at base ISO, with much less of a green shift in yellows and beiges, and more accurate pinks. The G7X II image looks a bit punchier with slightly lower noise as well, though the G7X retains a bit more detail.

Unsurprisingly, image quality from the GX5 is nearly identical to the G7X as they use the same generation sensor and processor. Thus, again, the G7X Mark II shows better color, slightly higher contrast, slightly less noise, but not quite as much fine detail.

Here we compare the 20-megapixel 1"-sensored Canon G7X II to the 12.7-megapixel 4/3"-sensored Panasonic LX100. The resolution difference is very apparent here in both the relative element sizes and the higher detail from the G7X II at base ISO. But while the Canon's resolution is higher, noise is also a little higher, as you can see in the background of the bottle shoulder crop. The G7X II applies slighter stronger non-area-specific sharpening, though, which tends to exacerbate noise. Still, the Panasonic's larger pixels pay off in terms of slightly lower noise already at base ISO when comparing at 100% like this, but the G7X II still wins overall with a more vibrant, punchy image with better color.

The Canon G7X II "only" offers a 4.2x zoom lens compared to the 10x optical zoom of the ZS100, but it's a much brighter f/1.8-2.8 vs f/2.8-5.9 optic. However, both cameras use similar 1"-type 20-megapixel sensors, and are currently priced the same as well. Image quality here at base ISO is fairly similar, with about the same amount of detail captured along with comparable noise levels, however there are some notable differences. First, the Panasonic's tone curve is such that its image looks a bit darker than the Canon when middle gray is the same brightness, giving the G7X II's image a brighter look overall. Colors from the Canon are generally also more neutral and pleasing. The ZS100 does however hold onto more of the fine thread pattern our tricky red-leaf swatch, which the G7X II's default processing smooths over. Sharpening halos are also a little less noticeable from the Panasonic, though both produce visible haloing along high-contrast edges.

The Sony RX100 IV's image looks a little crisper and cleaner than the G7X II's at base ISO, and it retains better detail and contrast in the red-leaf and pink fabrics. However the Canon produces better color, a more natural noise pattern, and similar detail elsewhere. Both obviously do very well here at ISO 125, but keep in mind that unlike the Canon, the Sony can extend its sensitivity down to ISO 80.

Similar to the differences we saw at base ISO, the Canon G7X Mark II offers brighter, more accurate colors than its predecessor at ISO 1600. Noise levels are quite similar, but the G7X II does a bit better at retaining detail in our mosaic crop, while the G7X does a touch better with our tricky red-leaf swatch although both smudge most of the fine detail away. Overall, though, the G7X Mark II produces a more pleasing image.

Again, the G7X Mark II delivers a brighter, more pleasing image than the G5X at ISO 1600, with more accurate colors.

At ISO 1600, we see the LX100 start to pull ahead of the G7X with better detail despite the lower resolution, as well as lower luma noise. The Canon does a little better with controlling chroma noise, though, with much brighter and more accurate colors. Both struggle with the red-leaf fabric with the Canon displaying more noise.

The ZS100 produces a cleaner looking image here at ISO 1600, however the G7X Mark II is sharper, holds on to more detail, and generates fewer noise reduction artifacts. Contrast and colors are still more pleasing from the Canon as well.

Both cameras work hard to keep noise at bay which causes a loss of fine detail as well as some unwanted noise reduction artifacts, especially from the Sony. Overall, the Sony still produces an image with more pop, but it also looks more processed, with less accurate color. The Sony produces higher contrast, lower noise and a bit better detail in our tricky red-leaf fabric, however much of the fine detail is heavily distorted.

Once again, although both siblings struggle with reproducing fine detail at ISO 3200, the G7X Mark II comes out on top with a brighter, higher-contrast image with better color. The G7X is noisier in our mosaic crop, however more noise reduction artifacts are seen from the Mark II. The G7X continues to do a bit better in the red-leaf swatch, however there's very little detail left.

Pretty much the same results here as seen with the G7X comparison.

Once again, the LX100 comes out on top in this contest in terms of better detail and lower noise in most areas, however the Canon continues to produce brighter, more pleasing colors. Both struggle to reproduce fine detail in our red-leaf fabric, however the Panasonic does noticeably better.

Here at ISO 3200, the Canon G7X II shows much higher luminance noise, but it arguably manages to reproduce fine detail in our mosaic crop a little better than the ZS100, however both show strong noise reduction artifacts and mottling. Both cameras really struggle to reproduce any detail in our red-leaf swatch, but the ZS100 does show a touch more. Once again, color and contrast are better from the Canon.

Here at ISO 3200, noise appears a little higher from the Sony except in the red channel, and the Sony produces more noise reduction artifacts while smudging fine detail more in the mosaic crop. Again, color is generally better from the G7X Mark II, but the RX100 IV provides slightly higher contrast and does a bit better in the fabrics. Overall, though, we give the Canon the edge here.