• 1.5 inch 261.8mm2
  • 14.3 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 22.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Canon G1X advantages over Canon 5D Mark III

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • Lighter weight
    543g vs 950g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    Unlimited vs 18 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Canon 5D Mark III advantages over Canon G1X

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.25 vs 4.30 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
  • Better color depth
    23.9 vs 21.7 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,293 vs 644 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 950 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.70 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    22.3 vs 14.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.0 fps vs 4.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    63 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    6.0 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 5D Mark III

Review Excerpt

  • Large-sensor image quality. Sharp lens with useful zoom range. Tilt/swivel LCD. Twin dials. Smaller than competing interchangeable-lens cameras with a similar lens. Lots of photographer-friendly features.

  • Not as small as you might hope. Mediocre burst shooting and autofocus speed. Far too easy to accidentally change exposure compensation. Viewfinder is of surprisingly little use. Battery life could be better.

  • Superb still and video image quality; Powerful, fast, and accurate AF system with loads of cross-type points, loads of configurability and great frame coverage; Rugged, weather-sealed body with great control layout and user-interface configurability.

  • Dynamic range is limited by noise in deep shadows; Somewhat heavy-handed noise suppression and sharpening at default settings. (Shooting RAW avoids both.); No AF illuminator.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 6D

Canon G1X
Canon 6D
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Canon 5D Mark III
Canon 6D
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Less shutter lag
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon G1X
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Canon 5D Mark III
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Sony A850

Canon G1X
Sony A850
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Canon 5D Mark III
Sony A850
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sigma DP1 Merrill

Canon G1X
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Canon 5D Mark III
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Lighter weight
  • Doesn't require an AA filter

Compared to Sony A99

Canon G1X
Sony A99
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon 5D Mark III
Sony A99
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Compare Other Cameras?