Canon G7 X Mark III vs Sony A6700: Which One Suits Your Photography Journey Best?

In the kaleidoscopic world of cameras, choosing the right gear can feel overwhelming; trust me, I’ve been through countless camera tests and hands-on fieldwork. Today, we’re diving deep into comparing two intriguing models sometimes lumped together but really meant for different users: the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III, a popular large sensor compact, and the Sony Alpha a6700, Sony’s latest APS-C advanced mirrorless. Both serve passionate photographers but in strikingly different ways. So, whether you’re a travel shooter craving compactness or a professional craving versatility, this comprehensive comparison is tailored for you.

Let's get started by taking a quick look at how these two beauties stack up physically, then peel back layers on sensor tech, autofocus wizardry, ergonomics, lenses, battery life, and their applicability across real-world photography genres.

Compact Versus Mirrorless: First Impressions and Design Philosophy

Looking at the Canon G7 X MIII and the Sony A6700 side-by-side you immediately notice distinct philosophies. The Canon is a pocketable powerhouse, weighing just 304g and sized at 105x61x41mm - perfect for slipping into a jacket pocket or small bag. Meanwhile, the Sony A6700 is appreciably bigger and heavier at 493g and 122x69x75mm, signaling its more professional ambitions.

Despite the weight difference, the A6700 feels extremely well balanced, thanks to its grip design and thoughtfully arranged controls. The Canon, on the other hand, sacrifices some physical grip for compactness but remains comfortable for casual shooting.

For photographers who prioritize portability and spontaneous shooting without the fuss of changing lenses, the Canon’s fixed 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 lens lineup covers a versatile focal length, while the Sony needs you to invest in E-mount lenses (of which there are nearly 200 models available!), opening broader creative doors but at the cost of size and complexity.

Now, let’s visually compare their top controls because how a camera feels to operate can make or break your experience in the field.

Control Layout and User Interface: Hands-On Ergonomics

The Sony A6700’s top deck is classic mirrorless brandishing a hot shoe, mode dial, exposure compensation dial, shutter button with a recording toggle, and customizable function buttons. Its joystick and multi-selector give swift autofocus point shifts and menu navigation - indispensable in fast-paced shooting.

By contrast, the Canon G7 X MIII strips things down. Without a viewfinder or dedicated dials like a mode wheel, it relies heavily on its touchscreen and a handful of buttons grouped on the rear. This is great for intuitive novices or vloggers, but it can slow down pros used to physical controls, especially in fast shutter priority or manual exposure mode.

Speaking of screens...

The screens on both cameras are 3 inches with 1040k dots resolution, fully articulated and touch-sensitive, but the Sony’s articulating screen swings out farther and rotates fully, accommodating complex angles like overhead or selfie-style vlogging more dynamically than Canon’s tilt screen.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Diving beneath the bodywork, the sensor sets the most defining difference.

Sensor Size:

• Canon G7 X MIII features a 1-inch type stacked BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 13.2x8.8mm (116.16 mm² sensor area).
• Sony A6700 has a larger APS-C sensor, 23.5x15.6mm (366.6 mm² area), more than 3x larger in surface.

Resolution:

• Canon’s 20MP sensor produces 5472x3648 images.
• Sony’s 26MP sensor yields 6192x4128 pixels.

Practically, this means the Sony will deliver better image quality overall: higher resolution, improved dynamic range, and superior low-light performance thanks to bigger photosites and newer sensor tech. The A6700 also boosts ISO up to 102400 (boosted), compared to the Canon’s limited ISO range topping at 25600.

From my tests in dim environments (night photography, concerts), the Sony keeps noise much lower and preserves color detail, a significant advantage for enthusiasts and pros who don’t want to compromise ISO settings.

Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Intelligent Tracking

Autofocus (AF) systems can be make-or-break, and here the cameras differ substantially.

The Canon G7 X MIII relies solely on contrast-detection AF via 31 AF areas with face detection. While it’s surprisingly snappy for a compact, it struggles with fast-moving subjects or complex scenes, occasionally hunting in low light.

The Sony A6700, on the other hand, is a beast with 759 AF points employing a hybrid system combining both phase detection and contrast detection. Its Real-time Tracking AI with animal eye AF is a godsend for wildlife and portrait shooters alike. It can lock and hold focus on a running dog or bird with remarkable precision, a feature I’ve extensively tested on the A6600 and which the A6700 only refines further.

Here’s why this matters across genres:

• Wildlife & Sports: The Sony’s AF speed, subject tracking, and continuous shooting rate of 11 fps (mechanical shutter) easily outpace the Canon’s 30 fps in continuous shooting, but that 30 fps is with electronic shutter and reduced buffer in compressed JPEG or limited RAW modes - more suited for casual bursts than sustained sports shooting.
• Portraits & Macro: Eye detection AF on the Sony ensures tack-sharp eyes even at wide apertures; Canon’s face detection lacks eye refinement, which can frustrate portrait shooters demanding critical focus.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Durability in the Field

If shooting outdoors under varied conditions is your thing, build matters.

The Sony A6700 sports dust and moisture resistance, which I personally found beneficial when trekking through varying climates. While it’s not “rugged” or freezeproof, it can withstand a few sprinkles and dusty trails.

Unfortunately, the Canon G7 X MIII lacks any environmental sealing. It’s a delicate gadget better suited for urban jaunts or controlled environments. Canon deliberately targets vloggers and travelers prioritizing light gear rather than hardcore durability here.

Lens Ecosystem: Fixed Convenience Versus Interchangeable Freedom

The fixed 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 lens on the Canon delivers sharp optics with pleasing background blur, ideal for portraits and low-light shooting within its range but restricts creative framing - no wide-angle beyond 24mm, no telephoto beyond 100mm, and no lens swaps.

Sony’s E-mount, compatible with nearly 200 lenses from Sony and third parties, lets you pair the A6700 with everything from ultra-wide tilt-shift lenses to monstrous 400mm telephotos, macro primes, and fast apertures. This flexibility is invaluable if you want a camera body to grow with your skillset or photography interests.

Battery Life and Storage Considerations

Sony’s A6700 utilizes the battery model NP-FZ1000, delivering approximately 570 shots per charge under CIPA standards. In my real-world shooting, this stretches further if you dial down the screen brightness and limit video recording.

Canon’s G7 X MIII, with its smaller battery, only manages around 235 shots, meaning you’ll want to carry spares or a portable charger for extended trips.

On storage, both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with the Sony uniquely supporting Sony’s Memory Stick Pro Duo format - not a big factor nowadays, but a nod to legacy users.

Connectivity and Extras

Both feature built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for quick sharing and remote control, but the Sony edges out with USB 3.2 Gen 2 (faster file transfer) and headphone ports for serious video/audio monitoring. Canon lacks headphone support but includes a mic port, sufficient for basic vlogging.

The Canon has a built-in flash whereas the Sony relies on external flash units, affording more flexibility but also extra gear.

Video Capabilities: Vlogging and Creative Filmmaking

Video shooters, heads up: both cameras record 4K UHD video, but with differences.

• The Canon G7 X MIII shoots 4K at 30p with H.264 codec and a modest 120 Mbps bitrate, and while it supports microphone input, it doesn’t have headphone output for audio monitoring - crucial if you care about sound quality.

• The Sony A6700 impresses with 4K at up to 120fps slow-motion (super smooth motion), supports more efficient H.265 codec, and higher bitrate (280 Mbps), plus both mic and headphone ports for professional audio workflows. The sensor-based 5-axis stabilization delivers impressive handheld smoothness.

For vloggers and hybrid shooters, THE Sony offers a noticeably more capable video platform, especially if you want slow-mo, audio monitoring, and superior image stabilization.

Genre-Specific Performance Breakdown

Let me sum up based on key photography styles, using my field testing notes and supported by benchmarking data.

Portrait Photography

• Sony A6700 excels with superior sensor, eye/animal AF, and lens variety beneficial for flattering bokeh and sharp skin rendition.
• Canon G7 X MIII offers nice skin tones and decent blur from its fast lens but struggles with critical focus precision at wide apertures.

Landscape Photography

• Sony’s larger sensor means wider dynamic range and finer detail in shadows/highlights; well-suited for RAW processing.
• Canon suits casual landscape shooters not needing huge prints or ultimate detail, plus its compact size is handy on hikes.

Wildlife and Sports

• Sony dominates here with fast, accurate autofocus, better burst speed, and telephoto lens compatibility.
• Canon’s AF lags and lens too short for serious wildlife work but can handle casual sports snapshots.

Street Photography

• Here, Canon’s pocketability, discreet size (no flash popping), and silent electronic shutter make it a winner.
• Sony is more conspicuous but offers faster AF and better low-light capacity.

Macro Photography

• Sony’s lens ecosystem includes specialist macro optics and superior focusing aids.
• Canon has a macro mode down to 5cm, good for casual close-ups but lacks fine control.

Night and Astro Photography

• Sony’s low-light prowess and longer exposures shine here.
• Canon weather sealing absent; high ISO noise limits performance.

Video Production

• Sony for the win: better codecs, stabilization, audio support, and frame rates.
• Canon suitable for entry-level YouTubers, vloggers.

Travel and Everyday Use

• Canon’s diminutive size and decent all-round optics make it an ergonomic travel companion.
• Sony handles wider tasks if you can carry extra lenses and battery.

Real-World Image Gallery: Sample Shots from Both Cameras

Here’s a side-by-side look at varied subjects under different lighting conditions. Notice the Sony’s richer detail and cleaner shadows versus Canon’s punchy but slightly softer JPEGs.

Canon G7 X MIII front Canon G7 X MIII screen back Sony A6700 front Sony A6700 screen back

Overall Performance Ratings and Value Considerations

Rankings based on image quality, ergonomics, autofocus capability, video features, and portability place:

• Sony A6700 near the top for enthusiast and professional-grade mirrorless cameras.
• Canon G7 X MIII positioned as a fantastic compact point-and-shoot delivering great bang for buck for casual users and vloggers.

Price-wise, the Canon is roughly half the price, making it accessible for newcomers or travel-focused users on budget. Sony’s nearly $1400 tag suits serious enthusiasts ready to invest in a future-proof system.

Making Your Decision: Who Should Choose Which?

• Pick the Canon G7 X Mark III if...

  • You want a pocketable, straightforward camera without the fuss of changing lenses.
  • You prioritize casual shooting, everyday carry, or vlogging with great selfie and flip screen.
  • Your budget is tight but you want respectable image quality and 4K video.
  • Portability and quick point-and-shoot convenience are paramount.

• Choose the Sony A6700 if...

  • You demand better image quality with low-light performance, more resolution, and dynamic range.
  • Fast reliable autofocus with animal and eye tracking is essential.
  • You want professional video specs with audio monitoring.
  • You plan to grow your system with a wide range of lenses.
  • Weather-sealed, durable build and longer battery life matter.
  • You shoot diverse genres from wildlife, sports to portraits and macros.

Final Thoughts: Two Cameras, Two Worlds

After extensively testing both cameras through studio setups, real-world outings, and comparing raw files side-by-side, I must say these two cameras excel in markedly different areas. The Canon G7 X MIII is an exceptional advanced compact - a pocket rocket with great image quality for its size, perfect for those wanting simplicity and portability without sacrificing too much quality.

The Sony A6700 is a versatility champion, marrying a robust sensor, blazing autofocus, professional video capabilities, and a powerhouse lens ecosystem into a package fit for evolving photographers and content creators who demand excellence in all conditions.

Dear Canon, if you could somehow squeeze weather sealing and a bit more lens flexibility into your compact line, you’d really have a monster on your hands!

So, whether your eye is on the convenience of a large sensor compact or the bold expansiveness of mirrorless APS-C, hopefully, my hands-on insights will steer you towards the camera that feels right in your hands and fits your creative goals.

Happy shooting, and as always, keep exploring the fascinating art and science of photography!