• 1.5 inch 233.8mm2
  • 13.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200

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Differences

Canon G1X Mark II advantages over Pentax KP

  • Less expensive
    $599 vs $999
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 35 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    Unlimited vs 10 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Pentax KP advantages over Canon G1X Mark II

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Fast startup
    ~1.40 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 390 vs 240 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
  • Less shutter lag
    0.09 vs 0.21 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 13.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.1 fps vs 5.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    7.0 fps vs 1.4 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/24000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    819200 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax KP

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).

The Competition

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
Pentax KP
Panasonic LX100
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

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
Pentax KP
Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Nikon D5600

Canon G1X Mark II
Nikon D5600
  • $599
  • 1.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
Pentax KP
Nikon D5600
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Canon T7i

Canon G1X Mark II
Canon T7i
  • $599
  • 1.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Pentax KP
Canon T7i
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

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
Pentax KP
Panasonic LX100 II
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
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