Nikon Coolpix A vs Canon G1X Mark II

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Nikon Coolpix A vs Canon G1X Mark II

APS-C 368.2mm²
16.2 megapixels
28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Nikon Coolpix A Review.
See real-world photos taken with the Coolpix A.

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 G1X Mark III
Compare G1X Mark II vs G1X Mark III
Compare Nikon Coolpix A vs Canon G1X Mark III

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Differences

Nikon Coolpix A 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.
Coolpix A test data on DxO Mark G1X Mark II test data on DxO Mark

1,164 vs 581 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
Coolpix A test data on DxO Mark G1X Mark II test data on DxO Mark

13.8 vs 10.8 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Thinner
40 mm vs 66 mm
Thinner
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Lighter weight
298g vs 563g
Lighter weight
More pixels
16.2 vs 13.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster RAW shooting
4.1 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 Nikon Coolpix A

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
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Larger lens aperture
f/2.0 vs f/2.8
Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
More telephoto lens reach
120 mm vs 28 mm
Capture objects farther away
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Less shutter lag
0.21 vs 0.58 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Wider angle lens
24 mm vs 28 mm
Capture more of the scene
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
5.3 fps vs 4.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
Unlimited vs 17 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

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

User reviews

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Nikon Coolpix A (Black)

Nikon Coolpix A (Black)
Nikon Coolpix A (Silver)

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Buy the Canon G1X Mark II

Canon G1X Mark II

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Review Excerpt

Solid alloy body with true twin-dial design; Smaller, lighter, and cheaper than most direct competitors; Excellent image quality, even when compared to interchangeable-lens cameras; Numerous accessories expand upon its capabilities.
Fixed prime lens is not for everybody; Ergonomics could be better; Performance is spotty; Built-in flash is rather weak; Battery life is quite modest.
Read our Nikon Coolpix A 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 Leica X2

Nikon Coolpix A

Leica X2

$1097
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoots 24p video

$1499
APS-C

More telephoto lens reach
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon Coolpix A vs Leica X2

Canon G1X Mark II

Leica X2

$599
1.5 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1499
APS-C

Larger sensor
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon G1X Mark II vs Leica X2

Compared to Panasonic LX100

Nikon Coolpix A

Panasonic LX100

$1097
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon Coolpix A 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 X-E (Typ 102)

Nikon Coolpix A

Leica X-E (Typ 102)

$1097
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoots 24p video

$1534
APS-C

More telephoto lens reach
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon Coolpix A vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Canon G1X Mark II

Leica X-E (Typ 102)

$599
1.5 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1534
APS-C

Larger sensor
Lighter weight

Compare Canon G1X Mark II vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Compared to Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Nikon Coolpix A

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

$1097
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$875
4/3

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon Coolpix A 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)

Compared to Fujifilm X70

Nikon Coolpix A

Fujifilm X70

$1097
APS-C

Bigger JPEG buffer
Bigger RAW buffer

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon Coolpix A vs Fujifilm X70

Canon G1X Mark II

Fujifilm X70

$599
1.5 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon G1X Mark II vs Fujifilm X70

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