Canon G1 X vs Nikon D4
75 Imaging
52 Features
60 Overall
55


50 Imaging
61 Features
81 Overall
69
Canon G1 X vs Nikon D4 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)

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.

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.

Canon G1 X vs Nikon D4 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot G1 X and Nikon D4. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon G1 X Gallery and Nikon D4 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon G1 X over the Nikon D4
G1 X | D4 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Nikon D4 over the Canon G1 X
D4 | G1 X | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen size | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 920k | Crisper screen (+1k dot) |
Common features in the Canon G1 X and Nikon D4
G1 X | D4 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | March 2012 | ![]() | January 2012 | Same 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon G1 X vs Nikon D4 Specifications
Canon PowerShot G1 X | Nikon 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 |