Canon G1x Mark II vs G1X

Photo comparison of G1X Mark II vs G1X

A simple comparison of the Canon G1x Mark II vs G1X cameras is a good example of a company responding to customer feedback about a product. The design changes found in the G1X Mark II were clearly a great response to the shortcomings of the G1X.

In today's business world, the companies that respond to feedback are the ones that will prosper!

As a frequent buyer of Canon cameras and accessories, I try to take an analytic view of the their decisions on designing cameras. More on that late.  Here are the notable differences:

You can see from the photo above that the original G1X has a bigger grip.  You can buy the larger European grip for the Mark II directly from Canon. 

G1x vs. g1x Mark ii LCD screen comparison

Canon G1X Mark II vs G1X Biggest Differences

LENS 5x zoom Widest aperture f/2.0 Closest focus - about 2 inches MECHANICALS 5 frames per second shooting Tilting Touch Screen LCD Optional Electronic Viewfinder	LENS 4x zoom Widest aperture f/2.8 Closest focus - about 8 inches MECHANICALS 2 frames per second Rotating NON-Touch Screen LCD Optical Viewfinder
EXTRAS About 10% smaller Two adjustment rings on lens barrel MORE REVIEWS Canon G1X Mark II Reviews	EXTRAS Fully Rotating LCD Screen Cheaper to buy MORE REVIEWS Canon G1X Reviews

The two biggest advantages that the G1X have are its price and its optical viewfinder.  Being the older version, the G1X is a few hundred dollars less to own.  It also has an optical viewfinder, something that was purposefully left out of the newer G1X Mark II.

The G1X Mark II is decidedly smaller. Its lens is far superior in several areas. The G1X Mark II lens has a better zoom range, has a faster maximum aperture of f/2.0, focuses faster and focuses closer.

I've never been a fan of composing photos by using an LCD screen so the omission of the optical viewfinder in the Mark II worried me at first quite a bit.

I reluctantly plunked down the extra $300 for the Mark II EVF viewfinder but am actually glad I did.  It's so much better than an LCD for viewing. In fact, it really is an LCD that is enclosed in a small theater-like viewing booth that displays all camera setting or image information.

Image quality certainly doesn't match my 22 megapixel full-frame Canon 5D Mark III, but is so far superior to the quality you get with the normal postage-stamp-sized sensors in other point and shoot cameras. 

SUMMARY OF g1x mARK ii VS. g1X COMPARISON

In conclusion, the Canon G1X Mark II vs G1X isn't much of a contest unless the steep price of the G1X Mark II eliminates it from contention for you. For me and my camera preferences, it comes down to 3 factors for each G1X camera.

1. Superior Lens
2. Touch Screen
3. Better Focusing

1. Optical Viewfinder
2. Rotating Screen
3. Cheaper Price

Have a blast with your Canon!

Bruce Lovelace is the publisher of Canon Camera Geek. Read more about him on the About Page. He also publishes how to articles and camera gear reviews at the Photography Tips website.

View some of Bruce's photos on Instagram  and Flickr.   Join the tribe of followers on YouTube. Bruce also runs photo workshops and provides 1 on 1 digital photography coaching.

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KEH: WHERE I BUY CANON GEAR
"I've found that the condition of the used equipment from KEH is excellent and a whole lot cheaper than buying new" - Bruce, the Canon Camera Geek

related G1X posts:

Powershot G1X Mark II Review

Canon G1x Mark II Accessories

G1X Mark II Battery

Powershot Accessories

G1X Mark II vs Sony RX100 III

Both of these cameras have a hot shoe which gives you added flexibility when using a flash gun like the Speedlite 270EX II

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