• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon G3X advantages over Olympus E-M1 II

  • Less expensive
    $749 vs $949
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Higher-res screen
    540k vs 346k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    Unlimited vs 51 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Olympus E-M1 II advantages over Canon G3X

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.36 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 1.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    23.7 vs 21.4 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,312 vs 521 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 440 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    68 mm vs 105 mm
    Thinner
  • Less shutter lag
    0.11 vs 0.41 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.6 fps vs 7.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    51 vs 9 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    60.6 fps vs 0.7 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 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
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • 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.

  • Excellent image quality; Very good dynamic range & high ISO performance; Fantastic C-AF performance; Incredible burst rates, even with RAW; 4K UHD & Cinema 4K (DCI) video; Clean HDMI; Dual SD card slots.

  • Expensive; Menus still confusing; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X-T2

Canon G3X
Fujifilm X-T2
  • $749
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Olympus E-M1 II
Fujifilm X-T2
  • $949
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic FZ1000

Canon G3X
Panasonic FZ1000
  • $749
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $841
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic FZ1000
  • $949
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $841
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Canon G3X
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $749
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
Olympus E-M1 II
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $949
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash

Compared to Panasonic G7

Canon G3X
Panasonic G7
  • $749
  • 1 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • NFC
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic G7
  • $949
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Panasonic GX8

Canon G3X
Panasonic GX8
  • $749
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic GX8
  • $949
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Fast startup
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC
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