Canon 70D vs Canon G3X

Cameras
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Canon 70D vs Canon G3X

APS-C 337.5mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Canon 70D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 70D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 70D.
Compare Canon 70D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 70D conclusion.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
24.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon G3X Review.
How does it shoot? Canon G3X in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G3X.
Compare Canon G3X image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon G3X conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon 80D
Compare 70D vs 80D
Compare Canon 80D vs Canon G3X

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Differences

Canon 70D advantages over Canon G3X

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 4.11 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.70 vs 1.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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.
70D test data on DxO Mark G3X test data on DxO Mark

926 vs 521 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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

920 vs 300 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Thinner
78 mm vs 105 mm
Thinner
Less shutter lag
0.07 vs 0.41 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Bigger JPEG buffer
65 vs 9 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
6.7 fps vs 0.7 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon G3X advantages over Canon 70D

Less expensive
$749* vs $999
Save money for lenses or accessories
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Higher-res screen
540k vs 347k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bigger RAW buffer
Unlimited vs 14 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

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
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.
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 70D User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read G3X User Reviews

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Buy the Canon 70D

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

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Buy the Canon G3X

Canon G3X

Review Excerpt

Dual Pixel CMOS AF delivers full-time continuous autofocus (with phase detect at every pixel in framing area) for video and Live View still shooting; Full HD (1080p) video recording with pro-level features and quality; Improved resolution and good high ISO performance; Excellent Wi-Fi remote shooting with full exposure controls; 3-inch articulating LCD touchscreen.
Image quality only improved slightly over 60D; Dynamic range still lags behind competing models; May not feature enough upgrades to convince people to step up from 60D.
Read our Canon 70D Review

Good overall optical performance from the 24-600mm eq. lens; Very good image quality and high ISO performance for this class, especially with RAW; Lots of external controls; Comfortable grip; Shoots 1080/60p video; Includes both mic and headphone jack, Focus peaking for video; Clean HDMI.
No built-in EVF; Mediocre AF speeds; Sluggish burst rate with RAW/RAW+JPG and with servo AF; Below average battery life; No 4K video unlike competitors.
Read our Canon G3X Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Canon 70D

Nikon D7100

$999
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$695
APS-C

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 70D vs Nikon D7100

Canon G3X

Nikon D7100

$749
1 inch

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$695
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon G3X vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Pentax K-3

Canon 70D

Pentax K-3

$999
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 70D vs Pentax K-3

Canon G3X

Pentax K-3

$749
1 inch

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon G3X vs Pentax K-3

Compared to Sony A77 II

Canon 70D

Sony A77 II

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1198
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 70D vs Sony A77 II

Canon G3X

Sony A77 II

$749
1 inch

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$1198
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Canon G3X vs Sony A77 II

Compared to Panasonic FZ1000

Canon 70D

Panasonic FZ1000

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$773
1 inch

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Canon 70D vs Panasonic FZ1000

Canon G3X

Panasonic FZ1000

$749
1 inch

Touchscreen
More telephoto lens reach

$773
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon G3X vs Panasonic FZ1000

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Canon 70D

Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

$999
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$899
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 70D vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Canon G3X

Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

$749
1 inch

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$899
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon G3X vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

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