Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II vs Panasonic Lumix DMC ZS100 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · Compact · 20 MP · 1" · Full HD video
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II
59
WINNER
|
Panasonic · Compact · 20 MP · 1" · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DMC ZS100
58
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II and the Panasonic Lumix DMC ZS100 are pocket compacts from 2016, both pairing a fixed lens with a 20 megapixel one-inch CMOS sensor. That shared resolution and sensor format give the same foundation for prints and cropping. The Canon is the smaller body at 106 x 61 x 42 mm; the Panasonic measures 111 x 65 x 44 mm and weighs 312 g to the Canon's 319 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2016 | 2016 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 18, 2016 | January 5, 2016 |
| Camera type |  Compact | Compact |
| Camera size | 106 x 61 x 42 mm | 111 x 65 x 44 mm |
| Camera weight | 319 g | 312 g |
| Optics | 58/100 | 61/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe ZS100 is the steadier camera for handheld shots in dim rooms, because it offers in-body stabilisation while the G7 X Mark II does not. It also has an electronic viewfinder with 1,166,000 dots, so you can frame shots in bright sunlight instead of relying on the rear screen. The Canon has no viewfinder, leaving its LCD as the only way to compose. For moving subjects the differences favour the Panasonic, which offers 49 autofocus points to the Canon's 31 and a 10 fps maximum burst to 8 fps. Those margins help when a bird, a pet or a toddler will not hold still. Native ISO and the 1/2000 second top shutter speed are shared, spanning 125 to 12800 ISO. | ||
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. |
8 fps045 | 10 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 7 | Venus Engine |
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 | 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 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 6044080 |
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. |
310300 | 490300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  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. |
None | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 116600009900000 |
| Video | 70/100 | 69/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor video you plan to crop or show on a 4K television, the ZS100 is the better pick, recording 4K while the G7 X Mark II stops at Full HD. Both cameras support frame rates up to 60 fps. The Canon adds a built-in timelapse mode for hands-off sequence shooting that the Panasonic lacks. | ||
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. |
 Full HD |  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. |
1920 x 1080 | 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 | 60 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, MOV | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
| Features | 70/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe rear screens match in the core specs, with each camera offering a 3 inch touch panel, 1,040,000 dots, live view and WiFi for sending photos to a phone. Only the Canon's screen flips out and tilts, which makes self-portraits, overhead crowd shots and ground-level framing practical without guessing at the composition. The Canon offers Bluetooth for a maintained phone connection, while the Panasonic accepts an external flash for stronger lighting than its pop-up unit. Neither camera has GPS or weather sealing, so travel shots carry no automatic location data and neither body is sealed for wet weather. | ||
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. |
No |  Yes |
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 | 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 | 10400001150001500000 |
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 | No |
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 | 29/100 | 29/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryEach camera takes a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card and charges over USB, so one power bank tops up either body on the road. The Canon's slot is UHS-I compatible, letting fast cards write at full speed. The Panasonic slot lacks that rating. The Panasonic's battery is rated for 300 shots against 265 for the Canon. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NB-13L | Lithium-ion |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
265 shots1505000 | 300 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Panasonic Lumix ZS100 is the stronger choice for handheld low-light stills, sunny-day composing and video work. Its in-body stabilisation, electronic viewfinder, 49 autofocus points, 10 fps burst and 4K recording cover a wider range of shooting situations.
Choose the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II for self-portraits, tilted framing and hands-off timelapse, where its flip-out touch screen, Bluetooth pairing and built-in timelapse mode earn their keep. Resolution is shared at 20 megapixels, so the choice rests on those shooting features rather than image size.