Canon G1 X Mark II vs Panasonic LX10: A Hands-On Showdown of Large Sensor Compacts

When stepping into the niche realm of large sensor compact cameras, enthusiasts and pros alike navigate a fascinating balance of portability, image quality, and versatile features. Two contenders often come up in this conversation - the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II (hereafter G1 X II) and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX10 (known as LX15 in Europe). Both shine in their own right, but with distinct philosophies and strengths. Having spent extensive hours behind both viewfinders, shooting everything from portraits to starry skies, I’m excited to bring you the lowdown on how the G1 X II stacks up against the LX10.

So, buckle up for a deep dive that combines technical specs, real-world usability, and my personal takeaways, peppered with a few nuggets from my camera-testing experience that you won’t find in the usual spec sheets.

Compact Cameras, Big Dreams: Who Are These Cameras For?

Large sensor compacts bridge a gap between fiddly smartphones and bulkier mirrorless or DSLR rigs. They promise better image quality thanks to larger sensors while maintaining handy size and quick access.

The Canon G1 X II, announced in early 2014, is something of a bridge between old-school enthusiast compacts and mini-DSLRs with its sizeable 1.5-inch sensor - massive for a compact. It features a versatile 24-120mm equivalent zoom, a gorgeous f/2.0 aperture wide end, and Canon’s acclaimed image processing via the DIGIC 6 chip.

On the flip side, the Panasonic LX10, dropped in 2016, shrinks sensor size a bit to a “mere” 1-inch BSI-CMOS, but compensates with higher resolution (20MP vs 13MP on the G1 X II) and a decidedly faster zoom lens - 24-72mm with an ultra-bright f/1.4 aperture at wide angle. It’s built for speed and video, boasting 4K capture and superior burst rates.

Starting with the obvious - physically, the Canon is chunkier and heftier. We’re talking about 553g versus 310g, and a bulkier grip and body size. The Panasonic feels like an elegant pocket rocket; it’s perfect for those who want quality images without lugging a brick. Ergonomics play a huge role here - if you shoot handheld and walkabouts, the lighter LX10 may be a friendlier companion.

Design and Controls: Handling the Two Titans

Looking down from above at these two cameras reveals their different design languages and control philosophies.

Canon, the old pro, favors a chunky, tactile dial-and-button layout - once you get accustomed, it’s a joy to navigate settings without diving into menus. Aperture and shutter priority modes get dedicated dials, the exposure compensation dial is a reassuring presence, and buttons are nicely spaced.

Panasonic goes a bit more minimalist but counters with a flexible customizable dial system. It lacks some real estate for physical controls but compensates with a responsive touchscreen.

Key point: Neither offers a built-in viewfinder - Canon sells an electronic viewfinder as an optional add-on, which can augment shooting comfort in bright light. For many photographers, this omission is a compromise on both cameras.

Sensor and Image Quality: Battle of the Giants (and a Giant-Sized Sensor)

When it comes to sensor tech, size matters, but resolution and sensor architecture also count. The heart of image quality relies heavily on this.

The Canon G1 X II sports a 1.5-inch CMOS sensor measuring 18.7 x 14 mm - roughly twice the surface area of the LX10’s 1-inch sensor (13.2 x 8.8 mm). This means the Canon gathers more light per pixel on its 13MP sensor, generally leading to better noise control and dynamic range at equivalent ISO speeds.

Panasonic's LX10 has a 20MP backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor which, despite smaller size, is very efficient in light-gathering and dynamic range - but it still can't quite match the G1 X II in shadow recovery and noise at higher ISOs.

Looking at DxO Mark scores (a reputable industry benchmark), Canon achieves an overall score of 58 (color depth 21.5 bits, DR 10.8 EV, low-light ISO 581), while Panasonic lags behind with a 20 score (color depth 22.8 bits, DR 12.5 EV, same low-light ISO). Interestingly, Panasonic's dynamic range reading is better, likely due to their sensor's architecture, but in practical scenarios Canon’s larger sensor shines in noise resistance.

Ultimately, the Canon’s sensor excels in:

• Portrait work with smooth skin tones and richer color fidelity
• Landscape shots with superior dynamic range preserving details in shadows and highlights
• Low-light stills that benefit from larger pixels with less noise

Where LX10 nudges ahead is in:

• Resolution detail for cropping or large prints thanks to 20MP
• Fast sensor readout enabling advanced video modes and rapid shooting

The Art of Autofocus: Tracking, Speed, and Precision

Autofocus (AF) is more than a spec; in wildlife, sports, or street photography, it determines whether you get the shot or miss it completely.

Both cameras rely on contrast-detection AF without phase-detect pixels, which is slower than hybrid or dedicated phase AF systems, but each has tweaks.

• Canon G1 X II uses 31 AF points with eye detection and face recognition, including AF tracking and selective modes. It’s fairly snappy for its generation and works decently in good light but tends to hunt in lower light situations.

• Panasonic LX10 doubles down with 49 AF points and adds focus bracketing, focus stacking, and post-focus capabilities - tremendous for macro and landscape applications. Continuous and tracking AF are improved thanks to slightly faster sensor readout and newer algorithms.

Neither camera is particularly built for wildlife or fast sports. Canon’s max continuous shooting is 5fps; Panasonic impresses with 10fps, more than doubling the action potential.

From personal testing, I found the Panasonic’s AF system to feel peppier and more reliable in hybrid light environments (like street scenes with shadows and bright sunlight). Canon’s AF excels in controlled scenes - portraits or landscapes where precision and facial detail matter more.

Portability Meets Performance: Build Quality and Ergonomics in Detail

A camera’s physical feel is often overlooked in specs but is critical for prolonged use.

• Canon G1 X II boasts a robust magnesium alloy body which feels solid and reliable, though it lacks formal weather sealing (no dust/water resistance). Its heft offers balancing ease when using the telephoto zoom end and comfortable grip for larger hands.

• Panasonic LX10 embraces a sleeker plastic and metal chassis with a smaller footprint and lower weight. Its compactness suits travel and street photographers who prefer discretion and light carry without sacrificing much in image quality.

Neither model is built for hardcore weather sealed use - so neither matches the robustness of prosumer mirrorless or DSLR bodies.

Display and Interface: Touchscreen Tilting Screens

Both models feature 3-inch 1040K-dot tilting touchscreens, perfect for composing at odd angles.

The Canon’s PureColor II touchscreen is rich and color-accurate, allowing intuitive swipes and taps. However, direct touch focus control is slightly less responsive compared to the Panasonic.

The Panasonic LX10’s screen is crisp and bright, facilitating post-focus selection and touch shutter with smoother latency - useful when shooting macros or awkward angles.

Neither offer a built-in EVF, which some users might miss despite the tilting flexibility.

Lens Specs and Macro Capabilities: Getting Close and Wide

Lenses in fixed-lens compacts define much of the practical usage.

• Canon G1 X II: 24-120mm equivalent, f/2.0 - 3.9; the 5x zoom range offers excellent reach for portraits and landscape framing alike, though the slower maximum aperture at the tele-end limits low-light shooting.

• Panasonic LX10: 24-72mm equivalent, f/1.4 - 2.8; while the zoom range is shorter at only 3x, the ultra-fast f/1.4 aperture is a huge plus for low-light, shallow depth of field portraits, and bokeh effects.

For macro shooting, Panasonic offers a close focusing distance down to 3cm (about an inch) with focus stacking and post-focus capabilities, outperforming Canon’s 5cm minimum.

This edge makes the LX10 very appealing to macro enthusiasts or detail shooters who want creative control without extra gear.

Video: 4K and Beyond - The LX10’s Clear Winner

While neither camera targets professional videographers, Panasonic LX10’s 4K video recording at 30p (100 Mbps) is a major advantage for hybrid shooters wanting crisp, high-resolution clips.

The Canon G1 X II maxes out at 1080p (30fps) with decent MPEG-4 / H.264 compression but lacks 4K or advanced video features.

Neither model offers microphone or headphone jacks, limiting audio control.

Panasonic also enables 4K photo modes allowing frame grabs from video, great for fast action or candid shooting.

Battery Life and Connectivity

Battery life is a practical concern for travel or long sessions.

• The Canon G1 X II’s NB-12L battery provides roughly 240 shots per charge, typical for this class but requiring spares for extended outings.

• The Panasonic LX10 pushes slightly higher endurance with about 260 shots.

Connectivity is roughly similar: both have built-in Wi-Fi (Canon also includes NFC for easy pairing), USB 2.0 ports, and HDMI outputs for quick screen sharing. Neither features Bluetooth, reflecting their earlier releases.

Real-World Performance: How Do They Shoot Across Photography Genres?

Now, let’s consider how these cameras actually perform in real shooting scenarios. After hundreds of varied shoots, here’s my assessment by genre:

Portrait Photography

• Canon G1 X II shines with its larger sensor producing creamy bokeh and smooth skin tones. The telephoto zoom helps flattering compressions, and face/eye AF assists in focusing. However, its slower lens at telephoto is a limitation for indoor or low-light portraits.
• Panasonic LX10 has a brighter lens (f/1.4) which produces excellent subject-background separation at wide angle but less working distance due to shorter zoom. Face AF works well but noisier images at ISO 800+ are noticeable.

Landscape Photography

• Canon offers more dynamic range and color depth, vital for high contrast scenes. The higher ISO performance helps with handheld twilight shots.
• Panasonic’s higher pixel count means more cropping ability but slightly less noise control. Lack of weather sealing on both is a drawback for rugged outdoor use.

Wildlife Photography

• Neither camera is optimized here - AF speed and tracking are limited. Canon’s longer 120mm reach and 5fps burst give it a slight advantage over Panasonic’s 3x zoom and 10fps, which trades frame rate for shorter reach.

Sports Photography

• Burst speed and AF tracking are key: Panasonic doubles Canon’s frame rate at 10fps and feels more responsive, making it better suited for casual sports snaps.
• Neither will replace a dedicated DSLR or mirrorless sports camera. Low light AF struggles on both.

Street Photography

• Panasonic’s compact size and fast lens make it the street shooter’s darling - you’re less conspicuous, can pop to f/1.4 for moody shallow depth shots, and benefit from quick AF.
• Canon’s larger size and longer lens can be more cumbersome for candid shooting.

Macro Photography

• Panasonic absolutely wins here with 3cm macro focus, focus stacking, and post-focus features - enabling creative close-ups that Canon can’t match with its 5cm limit and fewer stacking options.

Night and Astro Photography

• Larger sensor Canon offers better low-light noise performance and dynamic range, crucial when shooting star fields or dark landscapes.
• Panasonic’s higher resolution and lens speed are helpful but ISO noise hampers prolonged night shooting.

Video Capabilities

• Panasonic’s 4K video is a massive leap for content creators, vloggers, or hybrid shooters needing high-res footage.
• Canon limited to 1080p, suitable for casual home videos but not any serious production.

Travel Photography

• Panasonic’s smaller size, versatility, and battery life make it a natural travel companion.
• Canon suits those prioritizing image quality over size, but packing an additional EVF and tripod for stability is wise.

Professional Work

• The Canon’s larger sensor, RAW support, and dependable ergonomics appeal to professionals needing image quality and workflow integration.
• Panasonic targets enthusiasts and hybrid shooters prioritizing compactness and multimedia.

Canon G1 X II front Canon G1 X II screen back Panasonic LX10 front Panasonic LX10 screen back

Above, you can see varied sample images illustrating the portraits, macros, and landscape details captured from each camera - Canon images generally have smooth tonal gradations and less noise, while Panasonic’s shots pop with sharpness and highlight resolution.

Price and Value: Are You Getting Your Money’s Worth?

As of their respective launches, the Canon G1 X II retailed around $799, the Panasonic LX10 for approximately $699. The premium on Canon reflects its larger sensor and longer zoom.

Given the extra features in video, burst shooting, and macro, LX10 arguably delivers more bang per buck if those features matter. However, for image quality purists, Canon’s sensor remains the star.

This graph summarizes performance - Canon leads in image quality and dynamic range, Panasonic wins on speed, video, and macro versatility.

Genre-specific scores reinforce these nuances - Canon best for portrait, landscape, night; Panasonic excels at video, macro, street, and burst shooting.

Final Verdict: Which Camera Fits Your Photography Style?

The choice ultimately hinges on your priorities and shooting style.

• Choose the Canon G1 X Mark II if:

  • You crave a larger sensor for superior image quality and noise control
  • Portraits, landscapes, and low-light shooting are your bread-and-butter
  • You don’t mind a bulkier camera and optional EVF purchase
  • You prefer classic direct controls and solid build quality

• Choose the Panasonic LX10 if:

  • Portability and discretion matter as much as image quality
  • You want outstanding video capabilities including 4K
  • Macro photography and creative focus control features appeal
  • You appreciate burst shooting speed and quick AF for street or casual sports

In my years testing thousands of cameras, the G1 X II feels like the old pro who does less flashy but more reliable work, while the LX10 is the bright, nimble newcomer eager to jump into multimedia and creative control.

If forced to pick one for general enthusiast use, I’d lean slightly toward the Panasonic LX10 for its sheer versatility and video features combined with strong image quality. But if ultimate image fidelity and subtle color nuance for portraits and landscapes are your priority, the Canon G1 X II still holds serious sway.

Both cameras exemplify how far large sensor compacts have come - bridging convenience and quality in unique ways. Whichever you pick, you’ll be rewarded with camera tech that’s capable far beyond their humble sizes.

Happy shooting - and remember, the best camera is the one that inspires you to create!