Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VA — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · Bridge · 20 MP · 1" · 4K video
Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III
62
WINNER
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Sony · Bridge · 20 MP · 1" · 4K video
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VA
59
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VA are both bridge-type cameras taking opposite approaches to size. The Canon, announced in 2016, is the larger body at 138 x 102 x 135 mm and 915 g. The Sony, announced in 2018, condenses the same category into 102 x 58 x 41 mm and 299 g for jacket-pocket carry. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2016 | 2018 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
September 19, 2016 | July 13, 2018 |
| Camera type |  Bridge | Bridge |
| Camera size | 138 x 102 x 135 mm | 102 x 58 x 41 mm |
| Camera weight | 915 g | 299 g |
| Optics | 63/100 | 64/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony is the faster camera for action, doubling the Canon's continuous shooting at 24 fps versus 12 fps. Its 315 autofocus points against 49 cover far more of the frame for tracking a pet or child. Both pair a 20 MP 1-inch CMOS sensor with a fixed lens and in-body stabilisation, so each offers stabilised handheld shooting at the same resolution. The Canon's 1/4000 second maximum shutter gives the shorter exposure option against 1/2000 on the Sony, useful for wide apertures in bright sunlight. Its standard ISO range also reaches 25600, while the Sony stops at 12800. Both provide electronic viewfinders with essentially the same 2.36 million dot resolution for eye-level shooting. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20 MP050 | 20 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5472 x 3648 | 5472 x 3648 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
13.2 x 8.8 | 13.2 x 8.8 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
1" | 1" |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
12 fps045 | 24 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Fixed | Fixed |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Venus Engine | Bionz X |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 12530200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
256003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 8030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 200080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
490300 | 3150300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 236000009900000 | 235929609900000 |
| Video | 83/100 | 77/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Sony gives video shooters stronger slow motion, recording up to 120 fps against the Canon's 60 fps maximum frame rate, giving twice the frames when you slow sports or splashing water. Both record 4K, so standard-speed footage is available on either. The Canon alone includes a built-in timelapse feature, handy for condensing a sunset or cloudscape into a short clip. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K | 4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
4096 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 120 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | No |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, XAVC S, MOV | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
| Features | 70/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Canon is the more expandable camera for lighting, accepting an external flash while the Sony relies on its built-in unit. It also supports Bluetooth for a low-power phone link, which the Sony lacks. The Sony counters with a sharper rear screen, 1,228,800 dots against 1,040,000, for finer focus checking on the 3-inch display. Several conveniences are shared. Both offer a touch screen, a flip screen for waist-level or selfie framing, live view and Wi-Fi for phone transfers. Neither has GPS or weather sealing, so location tagging and rain protection are not part of this choice. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | No |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 12288001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | No |
| Storage & battery | 21/100 | 13/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Canon has the higher rated battery life, at 350 shots against the Sony's 220. The Sony accepts Memory Stick Duo cards alongside SD, SDHC and SDXC media, while the Canon takes SD cards with UHS-I compatibility for faster card writes. Both use one slot and neither charges over USB, so spare batteries matter for either. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC , Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | DMW-BLC12 | NP-BX1 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
350 shots1505000 | 220 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VA if you want one pocketable camera for everywhere. Its 24 fps burst, 315 AF points and 120 fps slow motion make it the stronger pick for fleeting moments, from a toddler's first steps to a tennis serve. The lower 220 shot rating argues for a spare battery.
Choose the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III if you prefer a larger body. Its 350 shot rating, external flash support, Bluetooth, built-in timelapse and 1/4000 second shutter suit deliberate shooting, including portraits with supplementary flash and wide apertures in bright light.