Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon G3X

Cameras
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Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon G3X

APS-C 337.5mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Canon 7D Mark II Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 7D Mark II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 7D Mark II.
Compare Canon 7D Mark II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 7D Mark II 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.

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Differences

Canon 7D Mark II advantages over Canon G3X

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 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
Bigger pixels
~ 4.11 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.50 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.
7D Mark II test data on DxO Mark G3X test data on DxO Mark

1,082 vs 521 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
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

670 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
0.25 vs 0.41 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Faster JPEG shooting
9.5 fps vs 7.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
103 vs 9 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.5 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
51200 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon G3X advantages over Canon 7D Mark II

Less expensive
$749* vs $1849
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
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
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
Bigger RAW buffer
Unlimited vs 26 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
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
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read G3X User Reviews

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Buy the Canon 7D Mark II

Body Only

Body Only
Body with W-E1 Wi-Fi Adapter
Kit with 18-135mm Lens
Kit with 18-135mm Lens and Wi-Fi Adapter

All 7D Mark II Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon G3X

Canon G3X

Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality; High ISO performance improved over predecessor; Excellent burst speeds (up to 10fps); Significantly improved buffer depths; 65-pt AF system; Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Can focus down to f/8 (great for teleconverters); 1080/60p video; Headphone and mic jacks; Rugged build quality.
Autofocus speed (AF shutter lag) slower than 7D and 70D; Mediocre battery life for a pro DSLR; Dynamic range at low to moderate ISOs not as good as competitors; Phase-detect AF did not perform as well as expected in our low-light AF tests; No built-in Wi-Fi; No autofocus for 1080/60p video.
Read our Canon 7D Mark II 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 Canon 7D

Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 7D

$1647
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Built-in GPS

$1499
APS-C

Less expensive
Less shutter lag

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon 7D

Canon G3X

Canon 7D

$749
1 inch

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$1499
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon G3X vs Canon 7D

Compared to Canon 6D

Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 6D

$1647
APS-C

On-sensor phase detect
More telephoto lens reach

$1699
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon 6D

Canon G3X

Canon 6D

$749
1 inch

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$1699
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon G3X vs Canon 6D

Compared to Canon 70D

Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 70D

$1647
APS-C

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon 70D

Canon G3X

Canon 70D

$749
1 inch

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon G3X vs Canon 70D

Compared to Sony A77 II

Canon 7D Mark II

Sony A77 II

$1647
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$1198
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 7D Mark II 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 7D Mark II

Panasonic FZ1000

$1647
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$773
1 inch

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 7D Mark II 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

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