Canon G7 X vs Fujifilm X100F: A Hands-on Comparison of Two Classic Large Sensor Compacts

Choosing between two standout large sensor compacts like the Canon PowerShot G7 X and the Fujifilm X100F is no small task - especially when the cameras sit at very different corners of the enthusiast market. I’ve used both extensively, across diverse real-world shooting scenarios from portraits to astrophotography, and tested their core technologies in my lab to identify real performance differences beyond the specs sheet.

In this detailed comparison, I’ll walk you through everything - sensor tech, autofocus, ergonomics, image output, video, and more - to help you decide which compact camera truly suits your style and budget. By leveraging years of experience evaluating cameras in the field and lab, I offer you an honest, balanced, and deeply practical guide to these popular shooters.

First Impressions - Size, Build Quality & Handling

At first glance, the differences between the Canon G7 X and Fujifilm X100F are clear:

• Canon G7 X: Ultra-compact and lightweight at 304g, it fits easily in a jacket pocket or small purse. Its plastic-heavy body feels less robust but keeps the package extremely portable.
• Fujifilm X100F: Significantly larger and heavier at 469g, housed in a sturdy metal and high-quality build with classic retro styling. This camera feels like a serious tool that invites intentional use.

The Canon’s petite footprint emphasizes convenience and quick grab-and-go shooting. Meanwhile, the Fujifilm demands a more deliberate grip and presence, reflected in its traditional command dials and larger lens barrel.

Both cameras feature a 3" LCD with 1040k dots resolution, but as you’ll see later, the Fujifilm lacks touch functionality and features a fixed screen, while the Canon’s fully articulating touch LCD enhances compositional flexibility and menu navigation.

Black points summary:

• Canon G7 X excels for portability but sacrifices a rugged feel.
• Fujifilm X100F impresses with build quality but is larger and less pocketable.

Control Layout and User Interface

The Fuji X100F’s control scheme draws heavily from classic film cameras - with dedicated physical dials for ISO, shutter speed, and exposure compensation. This tactile experience is a joy for enthusiasts, allowing direct manual control without diving into digital menus.

In contrast, the Canon G7 X takes a more compact, button-heavy approach optimized for quick adjustments but requiring familiarization, particularly for new users. The touchscreen interface simplifies focus and navigation, a big plus for casual shooters.

Deciding between these cameras partly comes down to your interaction preference:

• If intuitive, direct dial control is your priority, the X100F beats the Canon hands-down.
• If touchscreen and menu-driven control is more your speed, the G7 X suits better.

Sensor Technology & Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

The Canon G7 X features a 1-inch BSI CMOS sensor measuring 13.2mm x 8.8mm with a resolution of 20MP. The back-illuminated design helps in gathering more light than older sensor architectures, contributing to respectable image quality in a compact size.

The Fujifilm X100F boasts a larger APS-C sensor (23.6mm x 15.6mm), with 24MP resolution and Fuji’s proprietary X-Trans III color filter array, which eliminates the need for an optical low-pass filter (OLPF). This results in superb resolution with reduced moiré and enhanced fine detail rendering.

Key technical differences:

• APS-C sensor area in the X100F is more than three times larger than the Canon’s 1-inch sensor.
• Fuji’s lack of anti-aliasing filter and advanced X-Processor Pro give it an edge in sharpness and color fidelity.
• Canon’s DIGIC 6 processor and BSI sensor help the G7 X punch above its weight, notably in noise performance for a sensor this size.

Real-world Analysis

• Wide Dynamic Range: The X100F’s sensor delivers cleaner RAW files with greater latitude in highlight and shadow recovery. I could pull details from bright skies and deep shadows much better than on the G7 X.
• Color Rendition: Fujifilm’s film-simulation profiles create distinctive and pleasing colors straight out of camera, beloved by many portrait and street photographers.
• ISO Performance: In low light, the larger sensor shines again. I found the X100F usable at ISO 3200 and even somewhat above, whereas noise in the G7 X images becomes quite noticeable beyond ISO 800–1600.

Displays & Viewfinders: Composing Your Shots

The Canon G7 X chooses simplicity with no viewfinder, relying solely on its bright, tilting, touch-sensitive LCD screen. This approach enhances portability but limits composition options, especially in bright sunshine where screen reflection can be problematic.

The Fujifilm X100F integrates a hybrid viewfinder - featuring both an optical tunnel viewfinder and an electronic viewfinder with 2.36 million dots resolution, 0.5x magnification, and approximately 92% coverage. This eye-level option offers precise framing and better stability, particularly for street and portrait photographers who value eye contact with subjects.

Key advantages of the Fujifilm viewfinder include parallax-free framing when using the electronic mode and exposure preview capabilities, enhancing shooting control and engagement.

Autofocus Systems & Performance - How Quickly and Accurately They Lock On

The two cameras use strikingly different autofocus technologies:

• Canon G7 X: Contrast-detection AF with 31 focus points. It offers touch-to-focus and face detection but lacks phase detection or eye/animal tracking. Continuous AF is adequate but prone to hunting in low light or busy scenes.
• Fujifilm X100F: Hybrid autofocus system combining contrast and phase detection across 325 points, significantly improving speed and accuracy. Face detection is present but not standout, and the system can handle tricky light better than Canon’s.

In high-stakes situations like wildlife or fast sports, the X100F’s responsiveness is notably superior. The G7 X suffices for casual shooting but can frustrate when quick AF is paramount.

Burst shooting rates favor the Fuji as well (8 fps vs 6.5 fps), important for capturing fleeting moments.

Canon G7 X front Canon G7 X screen back Fujifilm X100F front Fujifilm X100F screen back

Versatility in Shooting Genres: Strengths & Limitations Explored

Portrait Photography

• Skin tones and color: The Fujifilm X100F’s APS-C sensor paired with film simulation modes produces smoother skin tones and attractive colors that require minimal post-processing. The Canon, while competent, needs more tweaking to achieve similar natural results.
• Bokeh: Fujifilm’s fixed 35mm F2 lens offers pleasant, creamy bokeh, better isolating subjects. The G7 X’s zoomable 24-100mm equivalent lens has a faster F1.8 aperture at the wide end but the smaller sensor diminishes depth-of-field control.

Landscape Photography

• Fuji’s higher resolution, greater dynamic range, and weather sealing (note: the X100F is not fully weather sealed but more robust than the Canon) make it much better suited for landscape work. The prime focal length encourages careful framing.
• Canon’s zoom and tilt screen give slightly more flexibility in composition but can’t match image quality or handling in challenging environments.

Wildlife Photography

• Neither camera is a top wildlife solution due to focal length limitations: the G7 X maxes out at 100mm equivalent, the X100F is fixed at 35mm (equivalent 50mm on APS-C).
• Fuji’s faster, more reliable autofocus and higher burst rate allow better chances for sharp captures during action, but telephoto reach is lacking.

Sports Photography

• Similar to wildlife, limited telephoto reach and modest burst rates at best. The X100F’s autofocus is again advantageous, but neither camera is ideal here.

Street Photography

• The Fuji X100F is an undisputed favorite thanks to its quiet leaf shutter option (not available on G7 X), compact but substantial design, and hybrid viewfinder allowing discreet, eye-level framing.
• The Canon is a competent street shooter with its smaller size and tilt screen, but the absence of an EVF/viewfinder and slower AF slightly hinder responsiveness.

Macro Photography

• The Canon G7 X supports close focusing down to 5cm, enabling decent macro shots with built-in image stabilization to aid handheld shooting.
• Fujifilm does not specify macro capabilities explicitly and relies on manual focus precision. It is less versatile here.

Night & Astrophotography

• The X100F’s larger sensor and superior high ISO capabilities make it the clear winner.
• Canon’s smaller sensor and noise limitations restrict long-exposure performance.

Video Capabilities

• Both shoot Full HD 1080p up to 60 fps.
• Canon’s DIGIC 6 processor provides slightly smoother video with continuous autofocus, tilt screen touch focusing, but no microphone input.
• Fujifilm offers superior image quality in video and a microphone input, valuable for vloggers and filmmakers.
• Neither offers 4K video.

Travel Photography

• Canon’s pocketable size and versatile zoom lens suit travelers needing discretion and flexibility.
• Fuji’s build quality, better image quality, and faster AF excel for those prioritizing photo quality over size.

Professional Work & Workflow Integration

• Fujifilm supports 14-bit RAW files vs Canon’s 12-bit RAW; this matters in advanced editing workflows.
• Both cameras use SD cards but Fuji’s compatibility with SDXC UHS-I and better tethering support give slight workflow advantages.
• Lack of weather sealing and external flash for the Canon limits professional reliability in tough conditions.

Technical Summary in Key Categories

Which Camera Best Serves Your Photography Discipline?

Lens Ecosystem and Expandability

Both cameras feature fixed lenses - Canon’s versatile 24-100mm equivalent zoom and Fujifilm’s sharp 35mm prime. This means no lens-swapping support, limiting adaptability but simplifying use.

The Fuji’s fixed prime encourages creative framing via footwork and manual controls. The Canon’s zoom is practical for variable scenes, though at some image quality cost typical of small-sensor zooms.

Battery Life and Storage Convenience

The Fuji’s NP-W126S battery delivers roughly 390 shots, almost double Canon’s 210 with NB-13L. Real-world usage confirms better endurance for the X100F, valuable for longer shoots.

Both use a single SD card slot compatible with SD/SDHC/SDXC media, with Canon supporting UHS-I cards.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

• Canon G7 X has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for quick pairing, easy mobile transfer, and remote control.
• Fujifilm X100F only offers Wi-Fi; no NFC or Bluetooth, reflecting its older wireless module but still usable for most wireless needs.
• Neither camera supports GPS.

Price-to-Performance: What’s the Value Proposition?

Although the Canon G7 X is priced around $490, the Fujifilm X100F retails near $1300 - a steep premium for better image quality and build.

Is the cost difference justified? Absolutely, if image quality, build quality, and tactile controls matter most to you.

If size, zoom versatility, and budget outweigh ultimate image fidelity, the Canon remains a compelling choice even years after release.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Choosing between the Canon PowerShot G7 X and Fujifilm X100F hinges on your priorities:

• Pick the Canon G7 X if:

  • You want a truly pocketable camera with versatile zoom
  • Touchscreen controls and selfie-friendly tilt LCD matter
  • Your budget is limited
  • You shoot casual portraits, travel snaps, or macro in daylight
  • You prefer a quick, point-and-shoot experience

• Pick the Fujifilm X100F if:

  • Performance and image quality are paramount
  • You want a tactile, manual-control oriented camera
  • You shoot portraits, street, landscape, or low-light often
  • You desire a built-in EVF/OVF hybrid for composition
  • Video with mic input and expanded ISO range are important

This comparison draws from extensive hands-on testing in studio and field, scientific sensor analysis, and professional workflow assessments. Both cameras have enduring appeal but serve quite different shooter mindsets.

Ask yourself where your shooting habits align best and be sure to test each in your own preferred use cases when possible.

Canon G7 X front Canon G7 X screen back Fujifilm X100F front Fujifilm X100F screen back

Making an informed choice ensures you invest in a camera that inspires ongoing creativity rather than compromises and frustration.

Happy shooting!