Panasonic LX100 and Canon G7X are both large sensor compact cameras that were introduced in the same period, in September 2015, but there are differences between them in certain areas. Both of the cameras have their own unique features which give each one of the cameras an upper hand over the other. The Panasonic LX 100 has a larger sensor which will produce a sharper, detailed image whereas, the Canon G7 has a better resolution. Here, let us look in detail the features of each camera before delving into the differences between the two cameras, the Panasonic LX100 and Canon G7X.
Panasonic LX100 Review – Features of Panasonic LX100
The Panasonic LX 100 is a large sensor compact camera. This camera houses a 13 megapixels Four Third size High Sensitivity MOS sensor (17.3 x 13 mm) which is powered by Venus Engine processor. The maximum shooting resolution is 4112 x 3088 pixels. The aspect ratio can be 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9. The ISO sensitivity range is 200 – 25600 and RAW format can be saved for later processing. The low noise high ISO is 553.
If we consider the lens of the camera at wide angle, the maximum aperture of f/1.7 will be at 24mm focal length. At 75mm focal length, the maximum aperture will be f/2.8. The lens operates fast throughout the range. However, the tele end is only good for classical portrait photography. Also, the Panasonic LX 100 does support optical image stabilization, which is useful for low shutter speeds.
With Panasonic LX100, continuous shooting can be achieved at 11 fps and 1/16000 sec is its max shutter speed. Contrast detection autofocus is also supported by this camera, with 49 focal points of preference. It also supports manual focus mode. However, the Panasonic LX100 only supports an external flash.
Video resolution for this camera is 3840 x 2160 pixels. The videos can be saved in MP4 and AVHCD formats. The Panasonic LX100 has a built-in mono speaker and a stereo microphone, but it does not support external microphone or headphone.
Looking at the display; the display in Panasonic LX 100 is a 3 inches fixed type screen. The resolution of the screen is 921k dots. The Panasonic LX100 consists of an electronic viewfinder as well. The resolution of the viewfinder is 2764k dots and has a coverage of 100%.
This camera support wireless communication via WiFi 802.11b/g/n and NFC. These built-in features help to transfer files without a physical connection. Connection to other devices can be done via HDMI port or via USB 2.0 port at 480 Mbit/sec.
The weight of the camera is 393 g. The dimensions are equal to 115 x 66 x 55 mm. The battery life of the Panasonic LX100 is about 300 shots.
The camera’s additional features include NFC Connectivity, Face Detection Focusing, Time-Lapse Recording, 3D Shooting Capability, and Panorama Shooting.
The main disadvantages of this camera are no articulating screen, no touch screen, no environmental sealing, 75 mm poor tele reach, and optical zoom is only 3x.
Canon G7X Review – Features of Canon G7X
The Canon G7X is a large sensor compact camera. This camera houses a 20 megapixels 1 inch size BSI-CMOS sensor (13.2 x 8.8 mm) which is powered by DIGIC 6 processor. The maximum shooting resolution is 5472 x 3648 pixels. The aspect ratio will be 4:3, 3:2, and 16:9. The ISO sensitivity range is 200 – 51200 and RAW format can be saved for later processing. The low noise high ISO is 556.
If we consider the lens of the camera at wide angles, the maximum aperture of f/1.8 will be at 24mm. At 100mm focal length, the maximum aperture will be f/2.8. The lens operates fast throughout the range. Contrast detection autofocus is also supported by the camera, with 31 points of preference. The lens also supports manual focus mode. However, the Canon G7X does support optical image stabilization which is useful for low shutter speeds.
With Canon G7X, continuous shooting can be achieved at 6.5 fps and 1/2000 sec is its max shutter speed. Users have the ability to take use of the manual exposure mode as well. However, the Canon G7 only supports a built-in flash.
Video resolution for this camera is 1920 x 1080 pixels. The videos can be saved in MP4 and H.264 formats. The Canon G7X also has a built-in mono speaker and a stereo microphone, but it does not support external microphone or a headphone.
Coming to the display; the display is a 3 inches tilting type screen. The resolution of the screen is 1,040k dots. The LCD is a touch screen which helps to reduce the amounts of buttons on the camera. It also can be used to set the focus by fingertips.
The weight of this camera is 304 g and the dimensions are equal to 103 x 60 x 40 mm. The battery life of the Canon G7X is about 210 shots.
This camera supports wireless communication via Canon Image Gateway. This built-in feature helps to transfer files without a physical connection. Connection to other devices can be done via HDMI port or via USB 2.0 port at 480 Mbit/sec.
The camera’s additional features include Face Detection Focusing, 3D Shooting Capability, and Panorama Shooting.
The main disadvantages of this camera are no external flash shoe, no built-in viewfinder, no environmental sealing, and low battery life.
How to select a digital camera? What are the important features of a digital camera?
What is the difference between Panasonic LX100 and Canon G7X?
True Resolution:
Panasonic LX100: The Panasonic LX100 supports a resolution of 13 MP
Canon G7X: The Canon G7X supports a resolution of 20MP
The Canon G7X is capable of handling a high resolution than the Panasonic LX100. This means 60% more detail will be captured by the Canon G7X over the Panasonic Lx100. But when purchasing a camera this is not the best parameter to consider.
Sensor:
Panasonic LX100: The Panasonic LX100 has Four Third’s High Sensitivity MOS sensor with a size of 17.3x13mm.
Canon G7X: The Canon G7X has a 1.0 type BSI-CMOS sensor with a size of 13.2 x 8.8 mm.
The Panasonic LX100 has a relatively bigger sensor than the Canon G7X. Larger sensor captures more light and converts it into a digital image. The bigger sensor produces a more detailed picture as well.
Focus Points:
Panasonic LX100: The Panasonic LX100 has 49 focus points
Canon G7X: The Canon G7X has 31 focus points
More focus points gives the ability to choose more positions in the picture to focus on. Gives the camera more points of the image to focus on.
Frame Rate:
Panasonic LX100: The Panasonic LX100 supports 24p
Canon G7X: The Canon G7X does not support 24p
24p means 24 frame per second. This feature lets the user get a film look as traditional film was shot at this frame rate.
Aperture:
Panasonic LX100: The Panasonic LX100 has an aperture of f/1.7
Canon G7X: The Canon G7X has an aperture of f/1.8
At a wider zoom, the Panasonic LX 100 captures slightly more light than the Canon G7X.
Continues Shooting:
Panasonic LX100: The Panasonic LX100 fast shoots at 11 fps
Canon G7X: The Canon G7X fast shoots at 6.5 fps.
The Panasonic LX100 is capable of more frames per second than the Canon G7X. This feature is used when successive images need to be taken while there is movement.
Color Depth:
Panasonic LX100: The Panasonic LX100 has a color depth of 22.3 bits
Canon G7X: The Canon G7X has a color depth of 23 bits
The above number describe the amount of color that the cameras can distinguish. The Canon G7X can distinguish 0.7 more bits of color than the Panasonic LX100.
Dynamic Range:
Panasonic LX100: The Panasonic LX100 has a dynamic range of 12.7
Canon G7X: The Canon G7X has a dynamic range of 12.7
The dynamic range value indicates the dark to light range that can be captured, which in turn indicated the detail of shadow and highlight. The higher the value, the higher the detail.
Movie Resolution:
Panasonic LX100: The Panasonic LX100 has a video resolution of UHD at 30fps
Canon G7X: The Canon G7X has a video resolution of 1080p at 60fps
The resolution of movie with Panasonic LX100 is 3840×2160 pixels, which is a better quality at a slow frame rate. But, high resolution videos need more storage and difficult to edit as well. Canon G7X supports 1920 x 1080 pixels.
Touch Screen:
Panasonic LX100: The Panasonic LX100 does not support a touch screen.
Canon G7X: The Canon G7X supports a touch screen.
The amounts of buttons will be reduced on the camera, and direct interaction can be done with the camera via touch. There are features like touch to focus to take advantages of Canon G7X. According to preference, touch modes can be changed as well.
Flip-out Screen:
Panasonic LX100: The Panasonic LX100 does not support a flip out screen.
Canon G7X: The Canon G7X supports a flip out screen.
The flip out screen can be really useful when shooting from different angles and from any desired position. This feature will also enable us to take more creative shots.
Screen Resolution:
Panasonic LX100: The Panasonic LX100 has a screen resolution of 921k dots.
Canon G7X: The Canon G7X has a screen resolution of 1,040k dots.
The Canon G7X has 10% higher resolution than the Panasonic LX100. The above feature gives the benefit of seeing more detail of the photos to be taken, photos that are taken, and to check the photos if they are in focus.
Viewfinder:
Panasonic LX100: The Panasonic LX100 has a digital view finder
Canon G7X: The Canon G7X does not have a view finder
A view finder will give the camera the ability to turn off the screen and save battery.
Built-in Flash:
Panasonic LX100: The Panasonic LX100 does not contain a built-in flash, but supports external flash
Canon G7X: The Canon G7X supports a built-in flash
The built-in flash is important when taking photographs indoors and low light situations like evenings. However, the external flash is known to produce better images.
Battery Life:
Panasonic LX100: The Panasonic LX100 can support up to 300 shots.
Canon G7X: The Canon G7 LX100 can support up to 210 shots
The Panasonic LX100 is able to last longer. It is able to produce 40% more shots than the Canon G7
Physical Attributes of Panasonic LX100 and Canon G7X:
Size:
Panasonic LX100: The dimensions of Panasonic LX100 are 115x66x55 mm
Canon G7X: The dimensions of Canon G7X are 103x60x40 mm
The Canon G7X is 40% smaller than the Panasonic LX100. The smaller the camera, the easier to carry and the convenience of taking a picture at a moment’s notice.
Thickness:
Panasonic LX100: The Panasonic LX100 has a thickness of 2.2 inches.
Canon G7X: The Canon G7X has a thickness of 1.6 inches.
The thinner the camera the portable and easier as it will fit into your pocket. The Canon G7X is 30% thinner than its counterpart.
Weight:
Panasonic LX100: The Panasonic LX100 has a weight of 393 g
Canon G7X: The Canon G7X has a weight of 304 g
The Canon G7X is 20% lighter than the Panasonic LX100. If the weight is less, the more portable it can be.
Special Features of Panasonic LX100 and Canon G7X
Panasonic LX100: The Panasonic LX100 has NFC Connectivity, Face Detection Focusing, Time-Lapse Recording, 3D Shooting Capability, and Panorama Shooting. Also, it has a digital viewfinder.
Canon G7X: The Canon G7X has Face Detection Focusing, 3D Shooting Capability, and Panorama Shooting. Also, it has a flip-out touch screen.
Disadvantages of Panasonic LX100 and Canon G7X
Panasonic LX100: The main disadvantages of Panasonic LX100 are no articulating screen, no touch screen, no environmental sealing, 75 mm poor tele reach, and optical zoom is only 3x.
Canon G7X: The main disadvantages of Canon G7X are no external flash shoe, no built-in viewfinder, no environmental sealing, and low battery life.
Panasonic LX100 vs. Canon G7X
Pros and Cons:
When comparing both Panasonic LX100 and Canon G7X, both cameras have their own advantages and disadvantage. Both are large sensor cameras and are capable of fitting into the pocket.
Compared to Canon G7X, the Panasonic LX 100 has a larger sensor which will produces a sharper, detailed image. The Canon G7X has a better resolution which is 20.7 MP, but the sensor sensitivity is better for Panasonic LX100.
The Panasonic LX100 offers a fast lens at wider aperture and the Canon G7X offers 25mm more tele reach with a better optical zoom. The Panasonic LX100 offers more focus point but Canon G7X makes it easier to select with the use of a touch screen.
Likewise, each camera outperforms the other in different areas, in certain features. While imaging and portability are almost the same for each camera, Panasonic offers more features and more value for money giving it the upper hand over the Canon G7X. But finally, when it comes down to price, the Canon G7X is cheaper than the Panasonic LX100.
| Panasonic LX100 | Canon G7X | |
| Megapixels | 13 megapixels | 20 megapixels |
| Sensor Type and Size | 17.3×13 mm Four Thirds High Sensitivity MOS | 13.2 x 8.8 mm 1″ BSI CMOS |
| Image Processor | Venus Engine | DIGIC 6 |
| Max Resolution | 4112 x 3088 | 5472 x 3648 |
| ISO Range | 200 – 25,600 | 200 – 51,200 |
| Lower Light ISO | 1338 | 1438 |
| Low Noise High ISO | 553 | 556 |
| Aperture | f/1.7-f/2.8 | f/1.8-f/2.8 |
| Shutter Speed | 1/16000s | 1/2000s |
| Continuous Shooting | 11 fps | 6.5 fps |
| Focus System | Contrast detection, Face detection autofocus, Manual focus | Contrast detection, Face detection autofocus, Manual focus |
| Focus Points | 49 | 31 |
| Color Depth | 22.3 | 23.0 |
| Dynamic Range | 12.7 | 12.7 |
| Zoom | Optical 3.1x plus Digital 4 & Intelligent 6.2x | Optical 4.2x plus Digital 8.4x |
| Higher Resolution Movies | UHD @ 30fps | full HD @ 60fps |
| Storage | SD, SDHC, SDXC, UHS-I | SD, SDHC, SDXC, UHS-I |
| File Transfer | USB 2.0, HDMI & Wireless: WiFi, NFC | USB 2.0, HDMI & Wireless: Canon Image Gateway, WiFi, NFC |
| Special Features | Electronic viewfinder, Time-Lapse Recording, 3D Shot, Panorama Shot | 3D Shot, Panorama Shot |
| Battery | 300 shots | 210 shots |
| Display | 3″ 921k dots fixed screen | 3″ 1,040k dots tilted touch-screen |
| Dimensions & Weight | 115 x 66 x 55 mm, 393 g | 103 x 60 x 40 mm, 304 g |