• 1.5 inch 261.8mm2
  • 14.3 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 24.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Canon G1X advantages over Nikon D780

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    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 840g
    Lighter weight

Nikon D780 advantages over Canon G1X

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.94 vs 4.30 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 2260 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
  • Newer
    4 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    786k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More pixels
    24.5 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
  • Longer exposure
    900 vs 60 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 4.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    12.0 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 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

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos

User reviews

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Buy the Canon G1X

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Buy the Nikon D780
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  • Body Only
  • Kit with 24-120mm f/4 lens
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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

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

Nikon D780
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $2097
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Lighter weight
  • Doesn't require an AA filter

Compare Nikon D780 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

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

Nikon D780
Sigma dp2 Quattro
  • $2097
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher max flash sync

Compare Nikon D780 vs Sigma dp2 Quattro

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

Compare Canon G1X vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D780
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $2097
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • NFC
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D780 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

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

Nikon D780
Canon G1X Mark III
  • $2097
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D780 vs Canon G1X Mark III

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Canon G1X
Pentax K-1 II
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Internal flash
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon G1X vs Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D780
Pentax K-1 II
  • $2097
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 II

Compare Other Cameras?