• APS-C 365.0mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 1.5 inch 261.8mm2
  • 14.3 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony A35 advantages over Canon G1X

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Fast startup
    ~0.90 vs 1.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    763 vs 644 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.7 vs 10.8 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 420 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.22 vs 0.70 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.5 fps vs 4.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    12 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon G1X advantages over Sony A35

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    64 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

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
  • 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.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • 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

  • 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.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A55

Sony A35
Sony A55
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in GPS
Canon G1X
Sony A55
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Sony A33

Sony A35
Sony A33
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Canon G1X
Sony A33
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sigma DP1 Merrill

Sony A35
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Thinner
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
Canon G1X
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A35
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Canon G1X
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon G1X Mark III

Sony A35
Canon G1X Mark III
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Canon G1X
Canon G1X Mark III
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
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