Canon G1X vs Canon G16

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Canon G1X vs Canon G16

1.5 inch 261.8mm²
14.3 megapixels
28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon G1X Review.
See real-world photos taken with the G1X.

1/1.7 inch 43.3mm²
12.1 megapixels
28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon G16 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon G16 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G16.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon G16 conclusion.

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Differences

Canon G1X advantages over Canon G16

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Larger sensor
1.5 inch vs 1/1.7 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.30 vs 1.90 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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.
G1X test data on DxO Mark G16 test data on DxO Mark

644 vs 230 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More pixels
14.3 vs 12.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bigger RAW buffer
Unlimited vs 39 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Canon G16 advantages over Canon G1X

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger lens aperture
f/1.8 vs f/2.8
Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
More telephoto lens reach
140 mm vs 112 mm
Capture objects farther away
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

770 vs 250 shots
Capture more photos
Thinner
40 mm vs 64 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
355g vs 543g
Lighter weight
Less shutter lag
0.31 vs 0.70 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Longer exposure
250 vs 60 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
12.5 fps vs 4.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
1.8 fps vs 1.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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.
Integrated ND filter
Both provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Neither provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Buy the Canon G1X

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Buy the Canon G16

Canon G16

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.
Read our Canon G1X Review

AF speed vastly improved; Increased continuous frames per second (JPEGs at 12.5fps vs 10fps in G15); Solid build and ergonomic, comfortable feel; Excellent f/1.8-2.8 5x optical zoom lens; Advanced photographic features, including PASM dial and RAW capture; Dedicated ISO button; Customizable buttons; Excellent macro mode; 1080p/60fps Full HD video.
LCD screen not articulated; Larger design makes it not very pocketable; Optical viewfinder not very accurate; RAW burst shooting still slow; Wi-Fi is clunky to set-up & no remote shooting capabilities; No built-in GPS.
Read our Canon G16 Review

The Competition

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

Compare Canon G1X vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Canon G16

Sigma DP1 Merrill

$499
1/1.7 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$849
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G16 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Compared to Olympus XZ-2

Canon G1X

Olympus XZ-2

$576
1.5 inch

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$470
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Canon G1X vs Olympus XZ-2

Canon G16

Olympus XZ-2

$499
1/1.7 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$470
1/1.7 inch

Touchscreen
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon G16 vs Olympus XZ-2

Compared to Canon G15

Canon G1X

Canon G15

$576
1.5 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$650
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
Larger lens aperture

Compare Canon G1X vs Canon G15

Canon G16

Canon G15

$499
1/1.7 inch

Focus peaking
Built-in Wi-Fi

$650
1/1.7 inch

Shoots 24p video
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Canon G16 vs Canon G15

Compared to Sigma dp2 Quattro

Canon G1X

Sigma dp2 Quattro

$576
1.5 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less shutter lag

Compare Canon G1X vs Sigma dp2 Quattro

Canon G16

Sigma dp2 Quattro

$499
1/1.7 inch

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G16 vs Sigma dp2 Quattro

Compared to Canon G1X Mark III

Canon G1X

Canon G1X Mark III

$576
1.5 inch

Bigger pixels
More telephoto lens reach

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon G1X vs Canon G1X Mark III

Canon G16

Canon G1X Mark III

$499
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
Larger lens aperture

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon G16 vs Canon G1X Mark III

Compare Other Cameras?