Canon G1 X II vs. Leica D-Lux 7: A Veteran’s Take on Two Large Sensor Compacts

When stepping into the large sensor compact camera arena, you’re looking for that sweet spot between portability and image quality - a versatile companion that goes beyond your smartphone without the bulk of a DSLR. Today, I’m diving deep into two notable contenders: the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II and the Leica D-Lux 7. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill point-and-shoots; they are meticulously crafted tools aimed at enthusiasts craving great image quality, decent zoom flexibility, and advanced controls without switching lenses.

Having lugged both cameras on multiple shoots - from urban street excursions to landscapes and sometimes even wildlife snips - this comparison blends specs, hands-on impressions, and real-world performance. Let’s start by unpacking what makes each tick before seeing who tops which niche.

Size Matters: Pocketability and Handling in Real Life

Walk into any camera discussion, and soon enough someone murmurs “ergonomics.” For me, camera size and handling aren’t just about comfort; they dictate how long I can shoot and how natural the process feels. The Canon G1 X II and Leica D-Lux 7 are both large sensor compacts but come from different design philosophies.

At first glance, the G1 X II is a bit chunkier and heavier at 553g compared to the D-Lux 7’s featherweight 403g. Physically, Canon measures 116×74×66 mm while Leica’s is slightly more compact at 118×66×64 mm. That extra girth on the Canon is evident when holding the grip; its robust feel is reassuring, especially if you’re shooting in cooler weather where gloves might limit finesse. The G1 X II’s broader body accommodates larger buttons and dials with more pronounced tactile feedback. That said, the Leica leans more toward stealth and agility - ideal for street shooters who prize discretion.

Both have the classic large-sensor compact look rather than the mini-mirrorless style, but the Canon’s grip gives it an edge in handling ease during longer sessions. Additionally, Canon’s tilting touchscreen adds flexibility in shooting angles, compared to Leica’s fixed LCD, which I’ll dig into shortly.

A Top-Down View: Controls and Interface at a Glance

Once the camera is in your hands, the real magic is how quickly and intuitively you can adjust settings - especially when moments don’t wait.

Here, Canon leans on traditionalism: an abundance of dedicated dials for aperture, shutter speed, exposure compensation, and a familiar mode dial - an absolute boon for manual shooters. The buttons are well-spaced with a logical layout that lets you tweak key settings blindly, a necessity when you don’t want to take your eye off the subject.

Leica D-Lux 7 trims the control bulk somewhat, favoring a cleaner and arguably more modern aesthetic. The mode dial also doubles as a zoom control, which some may love for streamlined operation but others (myself included) find less tactilely satisfying. The Leica boasts an electronic viewfinder nestled on the left, accompanied by a smart thumbwheel and quick-access buttons - but doesn’t beat Canon’s dedicated controls for sheer speed in manual shooting.

If you appreciate complete physical command and instant access to classic photographic parameters, the G1 X II’s top controls hold appeal for the purists. Leica offers refinement and minimalism - more suited to those who want simplicity peppered with cutting-edge features.

Sensor Technologies: The Heart of Image Quality

Now we get to the nitty-gritty - image quality. Sensor tech is the foundation upon which everything rests.

The Canon G1 X II houses a 1.5-inch CMOS sensor measuring approximately 18.7 x 14 mm with 13 megapixels. That sensor area (~262 mm²) punches well above typical compacts, edging toward APS-C size territory in terms of light-gathering potential. The sensor’s 13MP count feels modest by today’s pixel-crunching standards but remember there’s sometimes beauty in fewer pixels - larger individual photodiodes often translate to better high ISO performance and dynamic range.

Contrast that with the Leica D-Lux 7, which sports a Four Thirds CMOS sensor (17.3 x 13 mm) at a higher resolution of 17 megapixels (about 225 mm² sensor area). The Four Thirds format, pioneered by Olympus and Panasonic, balances size and resolution to offer excellent detail and dynamic range. Leica leverages this sensor from Panasonic’s well-proven LX series, fine-tuned with their signature image processing.

From my testing, the Canon’s sensor offers a bit better color depth and dynamic range at base ISO (DxO numbers put Canon at 21.5 bits color depth and 10.8 EV dynamic range), producing richer, more nuanced images in good lighting. The Leica’s sensor, while slightly smaller, delivers competitive resolution and performs admirably at higher ISOs.

In practical shooting, the G1 X II’s sensor excels in mid to low ISO shots where subtle tonal gradations are paramount (think portraits and landscapes), whereas the D-Lux 7’s stronger high ISO capabilities and higher resolution make it versatile for more demanding lighting or detail-heavy scenes.

Live View, LCD, and EVF: Seeing Your World Your Way

In today’s photographer’s toolkit, display technology is vital. It affects composition speed, focus accuracy, and framing flexibility.

Canon G1 X II features a 3-inch, 1.04M dot PureColor II touchscreen with a tilting mechanism. This bright, color-accurate screen is a trusty ally for multi-angle compositions and touch-based focusing. Its tilt range covers waist-level and overhead shooting, invaluable for street and macro photography. The touchscreen interface is responsive, reducing fumbling and letting you concentrate on the moment.

The Leica D-Lux 7 opts for a fixed 3-inch screen with higher resolution (1.24M dots) and excellent color fidelity but no tilting. So, if you’re shooting in crowded places or at unusual angles, you’ll need to get creative with positioning or rely on the included high-resolution electronic viewfinder (2760k dots, 0.7x magnification, 100% coverage). This EVF is one of Leica’s standout features - crisp, lag-free, and bright - which makes composing in harsh daylight or low light a much more pleasurable endeavor.

No EVF option on the Canon G1 X II, though an optional add-on exists but isn’t practical in day-to-day usage. For me, using the EVF was a game-changer on the Leica during fast-paced street shooting and bright landscape adventures - it stabilizes your vision and blocks distractions, much like looking through an optical viewfinder but with digital perks (histograms, focus peaking).

Zoom and Optics: Is Bigger Always Better?

A fixed lens means you're tied to whatever the manufacturer bundles, so its versatility and quality define what you can do.

The Canon G1 X II’s lens spans 24-120mm (5x zoom) with an aperture range of f/2.0–3.9. Optically, this means it starts impressively bright and covers a very usable telephoto extension. The broader zoom is an advantage when you want to capture details from a distance, making it quite adaptable for portraits, events, and even casual wildlife snapshots. The maximum aperture of f/2.0 at wide angle aids low light and shallow depth of field control - a rarity in fixed zooms.

Leica’s D-Lux 7 lens covers a slightly shorter zoom range of 24-75mm (3.1x zoom) but starts brighter, at f/1.7–2.8, giving it an edge in gathering light and producing creamy bokeh. The wider aperture helps in dim environments and lets you isolate subjects beautifully in portraits or street scenes. The Leica lens is famous for its sharpness edge-to-edge and smooth bokeh, thanks to Leica’s optical expertise.

In my experience, the Canon’s longer telephoto reach is a boon for travel and wildlife shots, albeit at a trade-off in weight and maximum aperture at the long end. The Leica’s faster aperture supports artistic control and excels in low-light street and event photography but asks you to get closer or crop images more heavily for distant subjects.

Autofocus and Burst Performance: Catching the Action

Speed and accuracy in autofocus and burst shooting are fundamental if you plan to shoot sports, wildlife, or dynamic moments.

The G1 X II sports a 31-point contrast-detection AF system, including face detection and continuous AF modes, with a respectable shooting speed of 5 frames per second (fps).

Meanwhile, the D-Lux 7 upgrades to a 49-point contrast-detection system (no phase detection) with similar face detection but manages a much faster 11 fps burst rate. While both lack phase detection, their contrast AF systems are quick enough for everyday subjects and decent when lighting is good. The D-Lux 7’s higher burst buffer allows more action shots in a row, ideal for fleeting street or sports fun.

That said, I found the Canon’s AF a tiny bit more reliable in tricky lighting, probably because of its slightly larger sensor and bright lens aiding focus lock. However, the Leica’s blazing burst speed is perfect for when you want to capture decisive moments without missing a beat - even if AF doesn’t lock quite as aggressively.

Image Stabilization and Macro Capabilities

Both cameras offer optical image stabilization, invaluable when shooting handheld in low light or creating video. The G1 X II’s stabilization is excellent and compensates well for slower shutter speeds, facilitating sharper handheld photos and fluid video. Leica’s system, too, is impressive, especially combined with a fast lens - this combo makes shooting in dim conditions much more forgiving.

For macro, I tested both at their minimum focus distances. The Canon starts focusing at 5 cm, while Leica can get even closer at 3 cm, allowing for more intimate close-ups. Though not true macro lenses with high magnification ratios, both satisfy casual macro needs with good focusing precision. Leica’s wider aperture also helps beautifully blur backgrounds even at close focus distances for artistic shots.

Video Capabilities: More Than Just Stills

Video is increasingly critical, and neither camera disappoints, though they differ.

• Canon G1 X II: Offers 1080p at 30fps max (in MPEG-4 H.264 format). While decent, it’s clearly designed for stills first. No 4K, no high-speed video modes, and no mic input, limiting professional video work.

• Leica D-Lux 7: Stands out with 4K UHD (3840×2160) at 30p with a decent bitrate (100 Mbps). Supports MP4 and AVCHD formats. Again no mic input but solid internal stabilization and superior video specs make it more enticing for serious hybrid shooters.

If video matters to you beyond casual snippets, Leica is the superior choice here - providing sharper detail, better low light, and smoother capture.

Battery Life and Connectivity: Staying Powered and Connected

Battery life often gets overlooked but can make or break an outing.

• Canon G1 X II: Rated for about 240 shots per charge, which is average for large sensor compacts but on the shorter side for travel photographers who dislike swapping batteries frequently.
• Leica D-Lux 7: Pushes 340 shots per charge, a significant boost that often translates to a full day of shooting under moderate use.

Both cameras support SD cards (SD/SDHC/SDXC); however, D-Lux 7 supports UHS-I cards, improving write speeds - a boon for bursts and 4K video.

Connectivity-wise, the Canon features built-in Wi-Fi and NFC but no Bluetooth. Leica counters with Wi-Fi plus Bluetooth, favoring modern smartphones and remote shooting apps. Both have USB and HDMI, but Canon’s USB 2.0 feels dated compared to newer options.

Reliability, Weather Sealing, and Build Quality

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, so caution is needed shooting in inclement weather. Both have solid builds reflecting their brand heritage - Canon with a more utilitarian robustness, Leica with a premium metal finish that feels like a classic rangefinder in your hand.

The Canon’s 5-year history and firmware updates show enduring usability, while the Leica, although newer, is part of the well-regarded Panasonic LX lineage with solid reliability.

Image Samples and Overall Impressions

To illustrate real-world performance, here are sample shots from both cameras across varied scenarios.

Canon G1 X II front Canon G1 X II screen back Leica D Lux 7 front Leica D Lux 7 screen back

You’ll notice Canon’s images possess slightly warmer tones and richer gradations in skin tones, ideal for portraiture and natural landscapes. Leica’s samples excel in crispness and clarity, especially noticeable in architectural and street photography, where its fast lens performs wonders.

Performance Ratings: Who Comes Out on Top?

Based on extensive testing - including ISO performance, autofocus reliability, burst shooting, ergonomics, and video capability - here are the overall performance scores.

The Canon G1 X II scores highly in image quality and handling but lags in video and burst. The Leica D-Lux 7 scores better overall due to its hybrid prowess, faster burst, and superior video specs.

Specialty Photography Scores: Right Camera for Your Style?

What about specific genres? Here’s a breakdown based on focused testing for key photography disciplines.

• Portraits: Canon’s wider aperture and color signature edges it slightly.
• Landscape: Both excel, with Canon’s dynamic range slightly better.
• Wildlife: Canon’s longer zoom gives it a strong lead.
• Sports: Leica’s faster burst makes it preferable.
• Street: Leica wins for compactness and discreet shooting.
• Macro: Tie, with Leica’s closer minimum focus offset by Canon’s stabilization.
• Night/Astro: Leica’s higher ISO range and stabilization tip the scales.
• Video: Leica decisively wins.
• Travel: Leica’s lighter weight, longer battery life, and connectivity make it ideal.
• Professional Work: Canon’s control set and image quality favored for specific uses, though Leica’s versatility impresses.

Bottom Line: Who Should Buy Which?

In the end, choosing between the Canon G1 X II and Leica D-Lux 7 boils down to your priorities - and budget. The Canon G1 X II, priced around $800, offers excellent image quality, better ergonomics for manual shooters, and a longer telephoto zoom range. It’s perfect for photographers who prioritize stills - portraits, landscapes, wildlife - with solid low-light performance and traditional control schemes.

The Leica D-Lux 7, roughly $1,200, steps up with modern video capabilities, faster continuous shooting, compact design, and a superb electronic viewfinder. It suits hybrid shooters, street photographers, and travelers who want a versatile, pocketable powerhouse that punches above its size.

Final Thoughts

Both cameras are delightful tools, each with their distinct charisma born of heritage and design ethos. Canon’s G1 X II feels like the sturdy veteran - a reliable companion that rewards deliberate shooting with rich image results. Leica’s D-Lux 7 is an agile virtuoso, blending modern tech with classic precision, ready to capture the world’s moments at a moment’s notice.

For enthusiasts and professionals diving into large sensor compact cameras, these two provide excellent choices, but your shooting style should guide you:

• Manual control lovers and still-focused shooters: Canon G1 X II
• Hybrid shooters wanting great video and speed in a smaller package: Leica D-Lux 7

Whichever you choose, you’re equipping yourself with a camera designed not just to capture images but to inspire your photographic journey.

Ready to weigh in with your experiences or questions? Drop a comment below - after all, great cameras spark great conversations.

End of Review