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Canon G1 X vs Nikon D4

Portability
75
Imaging
52
Features
60
Overall
55
Canon PowerShot G1 X front
 
Nikon D4 front
Portability
50
Imaging
61
Features
81
Overall
69

Canon G1 X vs Nikon D4 Key Specs

Canon G1 X
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1.5" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 534g - 117 x 81 x 65mm
  • Revealed March 2012
  • Newer Model is Canon G1 X II
Nikon D4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1340g - 160 x 157 x 91mm
  • Announced January 2012
  • Replaced the Nikon D3S
  • Successor is Nikon D4s
Photography Glossary

Canon G1 X vs Nikon D4 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Canon G1 X versus Nikon D4, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the latter is a Pro DSLR by rivals Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the G1 X (14MP) and the D4 (16MP) is relatively comparable but the G1 X (1.5") and D4 (Full frame) boast different sensor measurements.

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The G1 X was manufactured 3 months later than the D4 and they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras feature different body design with the Canon G1 X being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Nikon D4 being a Large SLR camera.

Before getting into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple overview of how the G1 X matches up versus the D4 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon G1 X over the Nikon D4

 G1 X D4 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Nikon D4 over the Canon G1 X

 D4 G1 X 
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution921k920kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Canon G1 X and Nikon D4

 G1 X D4 
AnnouncedMarch 2012January 2012Same generation
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Canon G1 X vs Nikon D4 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon G1 X enjoys exterior measurements of 117mm x 81mm x 65mm (4.6" x 3.2" x 2.6") along with a weight of 534 grams (1.18 lbs) and the Nikon D4 has measurements of 160mm x 157mm x 91mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6") along with a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs).

Analyze the Canon G1 X versus Nikon D4 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use at the time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the G1 X vs the D4.

Canon G1 X vs Nikon D4 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the G1 X and D4 is 75 and 50 respectively.

Canon G1 X vs Nikon D4 top view buttons comparison

Canon G1 X vs Nikon D4 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizing merely by checking out a spec sheet. The photograph here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the G1 X and D4.

As you can see, both cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The G1 X featuring a smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh more challenging and the Nikon D4 will produce more detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively.

Canon G1 X vs Nikon D4 sensor size comparison

Canon G1 X vs Nikon D4 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G1 X vs Nikon D4 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon G1 X as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon D4 as a Portrait photography camera
71
manual focus
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1.5")
features face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
76
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon G1 X Street photography advice
Nikon D4 Street photography advice
72
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is good (1.5")
supports RAW formats
more heavy than others in class (534 grams)
55
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon G1 X
Sports photography with Nikon D4
54
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is good (1.5")
features tracking autofocus
low fps (2.0 frames/s)
low battery pack (250 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
73
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
supports phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Canon G1 X Travel photography highlights
Nikon D4 Travel photography highlights
60
good MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
fairly wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
low battery pack (250 per charge)
more heavy than others in class (534 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
58
weather proofing
decent megapixels (16MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon G1 X Landscape photography advice
Nikon D4 Landscape photography advice
60
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is good (1.5")
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low battery pack (250 shots)
does not have Timelapse mode
73
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2")
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
2 card slots
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon G1 X Vlogging features
Nikon D4 Vlogging features
65
fairly wide (28mm)
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have external microphone socket
more heavy than others in class (534 grams)
26
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone support
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
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Canon G1 X vs Nikon D4 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G1 X and Nikon D4
 Canon PowerShot G1 XNikon D4
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot G1 X Nikon D4
Class Large Sensor Compact Pro DSLR
Revealed 2012-03-29 2012-01-06
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 5 Expeed 3
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1.5" Full frame
Sensor measurements 18.7 x 14mm 36 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 261.8mm² 860.4mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 5:4 and 3:2
Max resolution 4352 x 3264 4928 x 3280
Max native ISO 12800 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 204800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 51
Cross focus points - 15
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Nikon F
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-5.8 -
Macro focus range 20cm -
Available lenses - 309
Crop factor 1.9 1
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT PureColor II LCD TFT color LCD with brightness control
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 11.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.00 m (via hot shoe EX series Speedlites, Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX, Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 534 gr (1.18 lb) 1340 gr (2.95 lb)
Physical dimensions 117 x 81 x 65mm (4.6" x 3.2" x 2.6") 160 x 157 x 91mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 60 89
DXO Color Depth score 21.7 24.7
DXO Dynamic range score 10.8 13.1
DXO Low light score 644 2965
Other
Battery life 250 photographs 2600 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-10L EN-EL18
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes (2-20 seconds, 1-9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC CompactFlash, XQD
Card slots Single Dual
Price at release $649 $4,500