Canon EOS M vs Canon G1X Mark II

Cameras
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Canon EOS M vs Canon G1X Mark II

APS-C 332.3mm²
18.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

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

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.

Succeeded by the Canon EOS M3
Compare EOS M vs EOS M3

Succeeded by the Canon G1X Mark III
Compare G1X Mark II vs G1X Mark III

Compare CANON EOS M3 vs CANON G1X MARK III

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Differences

Canon EOS M advantages over Canon G1X Mark II

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1.5 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
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.
EOS M test data on DxO Mark G1X Mark II test data on DxO Mark

827 vs 581 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
32 mm vs 66 mm
Thinner
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
More pixels
18.0 vs 13.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster RAW shooting
4.4 fps vs 1.4 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon G1X Mark II advantages over Canon EOS M

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
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Fast startup
~2.00 vs 2.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Less shutter lag
0.21 vs 0.74 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
5.3 fps vs 4.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 13 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
Unlimited vs 6 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
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
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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
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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Read EOS M User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality similar to Rebel T4i, T5i and SL1 DSLRs, with 18-megapixel APS-C-type sensor delivering considerable resolution for a mirrorless camera; Solid build and sleek design; Bright, high-resolution 3-inch LCD touchscreen monitor; Full 1080p HD video recording that's virtually silent with an STM lens.
Barely acceptable autofocus speed still lags far behind most mirrorless cameras despite firmware update fix; Limited physical controls and buttons, including no Program, Priority, or Manual on Mode dial; Lacks built-in flash or electronic viewfinder option; Only two compact EF-M mount lenses currently available.
Read our Canon EOS M Review

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

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-C3

$600
APS-C

Touchscreen
On-sensor phase detect

$559
APS-C

Lens selection
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon EOS M vs Sony NEX-C3

Canon G1X Mark II

Sony NEX-C3

$599
1.5 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$559
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon G1X Mark II vs Sony NEX-C3

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-5N

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M vs Sony NEX-5N

Canon G1X Mark II

Sony NEX-5N

$599
1.5 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$700
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon G1X Mark II vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-5R

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
External Mic Jack

$499
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Canon EOS M vs Sony NEX-5R

Canon G1X Mark II

Sony NEX-5R

$599
1.5 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Internal flash

$499
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon G1X Mark II vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Panasonic LX100

Canon EOS M

Panasonic LX100

$600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Touchscreen

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon EOS M vs 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

Compared to Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Canon EOS M

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

$600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Touchscreen

$875
4/3

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon EOS M vs 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)

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