Canon G1X Mark II vs Nikon V3

Cameras
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Canon G1X Mark II vs Nikon V3

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.

1 inch 116.2mm²
18.4 megapixels
ISO 160 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon V3 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon V3 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the V3.
Compare Nikon V3 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon V3 conclusion.

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Differences

Canon G1X Mark II advantages over Nikon V3

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
1.5 inch vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Less expensive
$599 vs $1197
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 4.30 vs 2.52 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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.
G1X Mark II test data on DxO Mark V3 test data on DxO Mark

581 vs 384 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
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 40 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
Unlimited vs 40 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Nikon V3 advantages over Canon G1X Mark II

Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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

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

310 vs 240 shots
Capture more photos
Thinner
33 mm vs 66 mm
Thinner
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Less shutter lag
0.07 vs 0.21 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
18.4 vs 13.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
60.0 fps vs 5.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
60.0 fps vs 1.4 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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
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
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
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read V3 User Reviews

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Nikon V3

Review Excerpt

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

Very compact for an interchangeable-lens camera; Generous kit includes lens, high-res electronic viewfinder and accessory grip; Good image quality for the sensor size; Amazing burst performance; Lightning-fast autofocus; Intuitive touch-screen makes focusing a snap
Smaller sensor than most rivals limits possibilities for available-light shooting; Program mode opts for wide-open aperture most of the time; Limited dynamic range; Noisy shadows; Below-average battery life; Pricey when considering its image quality
Read our Nikon V3 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon J3

Canon G1X Mark II

Nikon J3

$599
1.5 inch

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$617
1 inch

On-sensor phase detect
Thinner

Compare Canon G1X Mark II vs Nikon J3

Nikon V3

Nikon J3

$1197
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Touchscreen

$617
1 inch

Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon V3 vs Nikon J3

Compared to Nikon AW1

Canon G1X Mark II

Nikon AW1

$599
1.5 inch

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$797
1 inch

Waterproof
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon G1X Mark II vs Nikon AW1

Nikon V3

Nikon AW1

$1197
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Touchscreen

$797
1 inch

Less expensive
Waterproof

Compare Nikon V3 vs Nikon AW1

Compared to 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

Nikon V3

Panasonic LX100

$1197
1 inch

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon V3 vs Panasonic LX100

Compared to 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)

Nikon V3

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

$1197
1 inch

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

$875
4/3

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon V3 vs Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Compared to Panasonic LX100 II

Canon G1X Mark II

Panasonic LX100 II

$599
1.5 inch

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$898
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon G1X Mark II vs Panasonic LX100 II

Nikon V3

Panasonic LX100 II

$1197
1 inch

Tiltable Screen
Fast startup

$898
4/3

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon V3 vs Panasonic LX100 II

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