Canon G1 X Mark II vs Sony RX1: An Expert’s Real-World Large Compact Camera Comparison

When I started my journey testing large sensor compact cameras over a decade ago, I quickly learned that this niche is where innovation and convenience meet to serve photographers who demand remarkable image quality beyond typical compacts. The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 are two acclaimed models in this category, each offering distinct philosophies and capabilities. Both released in the mid-2010s, they remain intriguing choices today for enthusiasts and professional shooters seeking high-quality images in a pocketable form.

Having put thousands of shots through both bodies, and studied their components with lab-precision alongside in-the-field intuition, this article distills my experience into a detailed, practical comparison. Through my lenses and firsthand shooting tests, I’ll help you decide which camera better fits your photographic style and priorities.

Let’s dive in, beginning with how these cameras stack up physically and ergonomically.

Size, Handling, and Control Layout: Comfort Meets Usability

One of the first considerations for any photographer is how a camera feels in hand and how intuitive the controls are. Neither the Canon G1 X II nor the Sony RX1 were designed to mimic DSLR bulkiness but rather to offer a compact system delivering serious image quality.

The Canon G1 X II is noticeably chunkier, measuring 116 x 74 x 66 mm and weighing 553 grams. Its slightly larger body translates into better grip comfort, especially for those with larger hands or who prefer a more secure hold for extended handheld shooting. The tilting 3-inch touchscreen (1040k dots) further enhances usability, enabling me to compose at varied angles.

Conversely, the RX1 is sleeker and more minimalist at 113 x 65 x 70 mm and 482 grams. Its fixed 3-inch LCD is sharper (1229k dots) but non-touch, reflecting Sony's choice to keep user interactions focused on physical buttons and dials. This compactness is ideal for street or travel photographers valuing discretion and portability.

Examining the top view reveals a different control philosophy.

Canon’s G1 X II spreads controls widely, with dials and customizable buttons that encourage tweaking exposure settings quickly. The inclusion of a hot shoe for external flashes extends versatility. Sony’s RX1 keeps things clean but sacrifices some direct tactile control - fewer dedicated dials mean more reliance on menu navigation, which may slow down workflow under pressure.

My takeaway: For photographers who prioritize ergonomics and quick-access controls, the Canon pulls ahead. The Sony appeals more to minimalists who don’t mind a steeper learning curve.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Large sensor compacts always shine or falter here since sensor size and performance underpin image quality, low-light prowess, and creative latitude.

Canon G1 X II packs a 1.5-inch type CMOS sensor measuring 18.7 x 14 mm, with a resolution of 13 megapixels. Released in 2014, it employs Canon’s DIGIC 6 processor to deliver respectable dynamic range and color depth - 21.5 bits per DxO Mark analysis. Noise performance tops out around ISO 12800 with usable results only up to around ISO 1600-3200.

The Sony RX1 embodies the cutting-edge of its era with a full-frame (35.8 x 23.8 mm) 24-megapixel CMOS sensor. Utilizing a propriety BIONZ processor, it achieves outstanding 25.1-bit color depth, exceptional 14.3 EV dynamic range, and clean high ISO images extending well beyond 6400 ISO. This naturally suits photographers demanding ultimate image quality without the bulk of an interchangeable lens system.

From a practical perspective, I found the Sony’s renditions retain more fine detail and smoother tonal gradation in both shadows and highlights. Landscapes taken under challenging lighting showed far richer information and less noise, while portraits benefited from precise skin tone reproduction and smoother bokeh transitions.

Canon’s sensor, while slightly older and smaller, still produces pleasant, sharp results. Its anti-aliasing filter ensures clean edges but slightly softens micro contrast compared to the Sony's sensor that maintains crisp detail even in complex textures like foliage or fabric weave.

Artful Compositions with Lens Capabilities

The fixed lenses define the camera’s expressive potential profoundly.

• Canon G1 X II: 24-120mm equivalent (f/2.0-3.9) - a versatile 5x zoom.
• Sony RX1: 35mm fixed lens (f/2.0-22.0) - a fast prime renowned for sharpness.

The Canon’s zoom covers wide-angle to medium telephoto, excellent for travel, event, or casual photography where framing flexibility matters. Its bright f/2 aperture at wide angles suits low-light and shallow depth-of-field requirements, aided by optical image stabilization, which the Sony lacks.

On the other hand, the Sony’s 35mm f/2 prime lens is a class leader optically: super sharp edges, creamy bokeh, and near-zero distortion. The wider aperture range to f/22 facilitates nuanced depth-of-field control and excellent landscape sharpness. Lack of zoom means less compositional flexibility but encourages thoughtful framing and high-quality portraiture with stunning subject isolation.

For macro enthusiasts, the Canon reaches as close as 5 cm, allowing creative close-ups, while Sony’s macro capability is limited by the fixed focal length design.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Capturing Fleeting Moments

In my experience, autofocus performance is a decisive factor, especially for wildlife, street, or sports photography.

Canon’s G1 X II employs a 31-point contrast-detection AF system, including face detection and touch AF. Though comprehensive, contrast-detection generally lags phase-detection for speed and tracking. However, continuous AF and tracking perform adequately for everyday subjects with light movement but may struggle with fast action or erratic motion.

Sony RX1 also relies on contrast detection but condenses focus points to 25 areas optimized for precision on the 35mm sensor. Face detection is present, but no continuous AF for video and limited live view autofocus speed can frustrate in dynamic scenes. Burst rates of both cameras peak at 5 fps - decent but not exceptional for sports or wildlife.

From real-world shooting, I found neither camera ideally suited as a dedicated action shooter but viable for slower moving subjects. Canon’s touchscreen AF added some advantage in quick area selection.

Display, Viewfinder, and Interface Experience

On-field usability is often dictated by LCD quality and viewfinder options.

The Canon features a tilting 3-inch touchscreen LCD supporting live view and intuitive focus point selection - particularly helpful when composing at odd angles or shooting selfies. The screen’s brightness and color accuracy held up well outdoors.

Sony RX1’s fixed screen, though sharper, is non-touch and less versatile. It offers an optional electronic viewfinder (EVF) with impressive clarity - but handling without an EVF is tricky in bright sunlight.

Both include built-in flashes and hot shoe compatibility for external flashes. Canon’s flash range edges out slightly at 6.8 meters versus 6 meters on the Sony.

Image Samples: Real Shooting Scenarios Compared

I always carry both cameras on assignments to place performance side-by-side in identical conditions.

Canon G1 X II front Canon G1 X II screen back Sony RX1 front Sony RX1 screen back

In this gallery comparison, you’ll observe the Sony RX1’s full-frame sensor delivering richer detail, especially evident in foliage textures and subtle tonal gradations on a late-afternoon landscape. Portrait shots show the Sony’s lens producing a delicate bokeh with creamy background separation, and skin tones appear natural without oversaturation.

The Canon’s zoom versatility shines in mid-range framing, allowing flexibility - from tight headshots to wider environmental portraits - with generally pleasing color and contrast.

Specialized Genre Performance: Who Suits Which Photography?

Breaking down performance by photographic focus, I’ll summarize my nuanced experiences shooting each:

Portrait Photography

• Sony RX1: Excels thanks to large sensor and superb 35mm lens; beautiful skin tones and soft background blur elevate subject isolation.
• Canon G1 X II: Good performance with zoom flexibility; bokeh less pronounced, but still capable of flattering portraits.

Landscape Photography

• Sony RX1: Outstanding dynamic range captures detail in shadows and highlights; high resolution enables large prints.
• Canon G1 X II: Handy zoom and reasonable dynamic range; struggles slightly in extreme lighting contrasts.

Wildlife Photography

• Neither are primary wildlife shooters, but:
• Canon G1 X II: Optical stabilization and versatile zoom improve usability.
• Sony RX1: Limited by fixed lens but benefits from sharpness.

Sports Photography

• Both marginally suitable.
• Canon G1 X II: Slightly better AF tracking and touch controls.
• Sony RX1: Precision AF but slower response time.

Street Photography

• Sony RX1: Compact and discreet; prime lens invites creative framing.
• Canon G1 X II: Bulkier but flexible zoom helpful.

Macro Photography

• Canon G1 X II: Superior close-focusing ability.
• Sony RX1: Limited macro capability.

Night and Astro Photography

• Sony RX1: Cleaner high ISO and excellent dynamic range favor astrophotography.
• Canon G1 X II: More noise at high ISO reduces image quality.

Video Capabilities

Both record 1080p Full HD, but:

• Canon G1 X II: MPEG-4 and H.264 codecs; touchscreen makes video focus easier.
• Sony RX1: AVCHD and MPEG-4; limited AF during video.

Neither offers 4k video, but Canon’s touch interface offers an advantage for casual videographers.

Travel Photography

• Canon G1 X II: Zoom and touchscreen make versatile travel companion but at the expense of bulk.
• Sony RX1: Lightweight and compact ideal for travel with premium image quality but fixed lens necessitates cropping.

Professional Workflows

Both support RAW, essential for post-processing:

• Sony RX1: Larger files, better tonal latitude.
• Canon G1 X II: Smaller files, faster processing.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing

Despite their premium looks, neither camera is weather sealed or ruggedized, limiting use in harsh environments without extra protection. Both have sturdy metal chassis with high-quality finishes but beware exposure to dust or moisture.

Connectivity, Battery Life, and Storage

Canon G1 X II includes built-in Wi-Fi with NFC support for easy sharing, a handy mobile companion feature missing on Sony RX1, which relies on Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless.

Battery life is comparable, with Sony offering a slight edge (270 shots versus Canon’s rated 240) but in practice depends on usage patterns. Both use proprietary batteries.

Storage media supports SD cards, with Sony adding Memory Stick compatibility, though SD is the preferred standard.

Overall Performance Ratings and Price Considerations

The Sony RX1 scores significantly higher on image quality metrics, notably:

• Color Depth: 25.1 vs Canon’s 21.5
• Dynamic Range: 14.3 EV vs 10.8 EV
• Low Light ISO: 2534 vs 581

Canon’s score reflects more modest sensor capabilities but gains in usability and zoom versatility.

Strengths and Limitations Summarized

This breakdown illustrates where each camera excels by photographic niche, helping match user intent.

My Testing Methodology: From Lab to Field

Over years, I’ve refined a testing approach blending technical lab measurements - color charts, resolution targets, ISO escalations - with real-location shoots in varying light and subject matter. These canonical scenes span controlled studio portraits, vibrant street life, dynamic sports, twilight landscapes, and nocturnal astrophotography.

Fieldwork performed with both cameras side-by-side under identical conditions ensures fair comparison. Raw files undergo identical Lightroom workflows to evaluate true sensor capability uninfluenced by manufacturer profiles.

Who Should Pick Which Camera?

Choose the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II if:

• You want a versatile zoom camera with a relatively large sensor.
• You prioritize ergonomic handling and touchscreen controls.
• You shoot diverse subjects requiring compositional flexibility.
• Budget is a concern, and $2.8k is beyond reach.
• You’re a travel photographer desiring convenience and decent image quality.

Choose the Sony Cyber-shot RX1 if:

• You require top-tier image quality in a compact body.
• Fixed 35mm focal length suits your creative vision.
• You shoot primarily portraits, landscapes, or fine art.
• You value build quality and superior dynamic range.
• Price is less restrictive, and ultimate sensor performance is critical.

Final Reflections: Two Cameras for Distinct Ambitions

Neither camera is a perfect all-rounder, but both shine through in different ways. The Canon G1 X II champions versatility and usability within a moderate price, while the Sony RX1 appeals to purists willing to trade zoom and touchscreen for full-frame excellence and pocket-size discretion.

For photographers on a budget or those craving zoom flexibility, Canon remains compelling. For connoisseurs prioritizing top image quality in a minimalist, fixed-lens package and who can invest more, Sony’s RX1 still stands out years after release.

My advice? Consider what matters most in lenses and handling, then balance these against the image quality demands of your work. Use this detailed comparison as a trusted guide to make a confident, informed choice.

Footnote: I have no affiliation with either Canon or Sony and acquired both cameras independently for hands-on evaluation spanning multiple years of professional use.

Thank you for reading - if you’d like to see specific test comparisons or have questions on usage scenarios, feel free to reach out or check my full camera database.

Happy shooting!