Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II vs Sony ZV-1 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · Compact · 20 MP · 1" · 4K video
Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II
59
SCORE
|
Sony · Compact · 20 MP · 1" · 4K video
Sony ZV-1
65
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II and the Sony ZV-1 are fixed-lens compact cameras from 2019 and 2020. Neither has an interchangeable mount, so the built-in lens you buy is the lens you keep. The Sony is the lighter, smaller travel body at 294 g and 105 x 60 x 44 mm, against 340 g and 111 x 61 x 46 mm for the Canon, a 46 g saving. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2019 | 2020 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
July 9, 2019 | May 26, 2020 |
| Camera type |  Compact | Compact |
| Camera size | 111 x 61 x 46 mm | 105 x 60 x 44 mm |
| Camera weight | 340 g | 294 g |
| Optics | 58/100 | 67/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsBright sunlight favours the Canon, which lets you frame shots through a built-in electronic viewfinder with 2,360,000 dots, while the Sony ZV-1 has no viewfinder and composes on the rear screen. The Sony answers with far wider autofocus coverage, 315 points against 49, giving more of the frame for tracking a moving subject. Resolution and sensitivity are shared: both offer 20 megapixels on 1-inch CMOS sensors, both span a 125 to 12800 native ISO range, and both provide in-body stabilisation for steadier handheld frames. For fast action the Canon bursts at 30 fps against 24 fps on the Sony. | ||
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. |
30 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. |
Digic 8 | 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. |
12530200 | 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. |
128003003280000 | 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. |
12530200 | 12530200 |
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 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 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. |
200080032000 | 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 | None |
| Viewfinder dots | 236000009900000 | N/A |
| Video | 91/100 | 91/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoSlow-motion work suits either camera, because both support frame rates up to 120 fps. Both record 4K video, and both have timelapse built in, so interval sequences need no external trigger. The practical difference sits in file formats: the Sony offers XAVC S and AVCHD alongside MPEG-4, while the Canon records MPEG-4 and MOV, which matters if your editor prefers XAVC S. | ||
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. |
3840 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. |
120 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 | Yes |
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, MOV | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
| Features | 70/100 | 68/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesJudging focus on the rear screen favours the Canon, whose 3-inch display offers 1,040,000 dots against 921,600 on the Sony. Both screens are touch-sensitive and flip out for waist-level work, selfies and vlogging, and both cameras carry Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for phone transfer and remote control. Neither camera offers GPS for location tagging or weather sealing against rain and dust, and each includes a built-in flash for filling shadows indoors. | ||
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 | 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 | 9216001150001500000 |
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 | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 27/100 | 29/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Sony ZV-1 has the higher battery rating, 260 shots against 230 for the Canon, and it charges over USB, so a power bank can top it up while travelling. The Canon's NB-13L pack has no USB charging. Both cameras have a single card slot, so neither offers a backup card for a paid shoot. The Sony accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo media alongside SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, while the Canon takes SD cards with UHS-I support. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NB-13L | NP-BX1 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
230 shots1505000 | 260 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | No |  Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony ZV-1 for the lighter body for travel, wider autofocus coverage for tracking a moving pet or child, the higher battery rating and USB charging from a power bank on the road.
Choose the Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II to frame shots at eye level in bright sunlight through its electronic viewfinder, to review focus on its higher-resolution screen, or to shoot sports and wildlife bursts at 30 fps rather than 24.