Panasonic GX1 vs Canon G1X Mark II

Cameras
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Panasonic GX1 vs Canon G1X Mark II

4/3 224.9mm²
16.0 megapixels
ISO 160 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GX1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the GX1.

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 Panasonic GX7
Compare GX1 vs GX7

Succeeded by the Canon G1X Mark III
Compare G1X Mark II vs G1X Mark III

Compare PANASONIC GX7 vs CANON G1X MARK III

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Differences

Panasonic GX1 advantages over Canon G1X Mark II

Fast startup
~1.40 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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.
GX1 test data on DxO Mark G1X Mark II test data on DxO Mark

703 vs 581 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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

310 vs 240 shots
Capture more photos
Thinner
39 mm vs 66 mm
Thinner
More pixels
16.0 vs 13.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Canon G1X Mark II advantages over Panasonic GX1

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
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
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
More dots on screen
1040k vs 460k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Faster JPEG shooting
5.3 fps vs 4.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

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
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
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

Appealing design; Good grip; Very good image quality; Fast autofocus; Built-in Level Gauge.
Small rear buttons; Below-average battery life; Weak flash; Orange and yellow can have greenish cast in JPEGs; Shutter-induced motion blur with 14-42mm X Vario kit lens.
Read our Panasonic GX1 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 Olympus E-P3

Panasonic GX1

Olympus E-P3

$950
4/3

Focus peaking
Higher effective ISO

$561
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Olympus E-P3

Canon G1X Mark II

Olympus E-P3

$599
1.5 inch

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$561
4/3

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon G1X Mark II vs Olympus E-P3

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic GX1

Olympus E-PL3

$950
4/3

Focus peaking
Fast startup

$700
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Olympus E-PL3

Canon G1X Mark II

Olympus E-PL3

$599
1.5 inch

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$700
4/3

Longer stills battery life
Thinner

Compare Canon G1X Mark II vs Olympus E-PL3

Compared to Panasonic GF6

Panasonic GX1

Panasonic GF6

$950
4/3

Focus peaking
Higher effective ISO

$400
4/3

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic GF6

Canon G1X Mark II

Panasonic GF6

$599
1.5 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$400
4/3

In-camera panoramas
Fast startup

Compare Canon G1X Mark II vs Panasonic GF6

Compared to Panasonic LX100

Panasonic GX1

Panasonic LX100

$950
4/3

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$598
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GX1 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 D-LUX (Typ 109)

Panasonic GX1

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

$950
4/3

Internal flash
Thinner

$875
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GX1 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)

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