I recently spent a couple of weekends trying out both cameras and have jotted down my thoughts
G5X II
I first started with the Canon G5X Mark II, and spent one weekend shooting and what I found was (not surprisingly) the autofocus was the weakest link, particularly in low light situations, though it handled most other situation pretty well. The camera doesn’t have the same premium feel of the RX100, but it feels better in your hand, thanks to the built in the grip. The lens ring, feel chintzy and overly clicky, the EVF uses a two step mechanism which seems like a step back from the RX100 VII’s single step popup.
Lens sharpness seem nice, though wide open did seem to introduce a bit of edge softness. With that said the lens can produce some pleasing bokeh, better then the slower RX100 VII’s lens. The colors that the canon produced were pleasing and spot on, very similar to my OMD EM5 II. I found the menu system to be logical and well thought out and didn’t get in the way to using the camera. In fact I found the G5X II to be quite enjoyable to use, whether we’re talking about the improved holdability (I love that grip), the buttons, or the menu.
RX100 VII,
I found the camera to exude premium quality, very solid feeling but lack of a grip means its not that holdable. The popup EVF, is a nice improvement over the Canon. The lens ring feels solid and has a nice resistance. The menu system is horrible, I cannot say enough about how it’s overly confusing and needlessly complex. The auto focus is definitely better then the G5X’s but I found in practice the difference wasn’t that huge. I don’t do video, and maybe what/how I shoot doesn’t play into Son’y improved autofocus as much as I thought it would. The longer reach of the lens is definitely a great benefit even at the expense of being dimmer. Overall, the advantages of the RX100 VII boiled down to the longer reach and auto focus.
Conclusion.
The G5X II offered a nice set of features, fast lens, fun camera to use for what amounted to be between 200 to 400 (depending on whether you buy the extended warranty), cheaper. In other words, I didn’t feel the longer reach and faster AF was worth the higher price for the RX100 VII, coupled with the fact that I enjoyed using the G5X II was enough for me to settle in on Canon over the RX100 VII.
YMMV, and I’m not trying to imply that the RX100 isn’t a nice camera, I don’t think you can go wrong with either one, but for my needs I couldn’t justify the higher price tag.
G5X II
I first started with the Canon G5X Mark II, and spent one weekend shooting and what I found was (not surprisingly) the autofocus was the weakest link, particularly in low light situations, though it handled most other situation pretty well. The camera doesn’t have the same premium feel of the RX100, but it feels better in your hand, thanks to the built in the grip. The lens ring, feel chintzy and overly clicky, the EVF uses a two step mechanism which seems like a step back from the RX100 VII’s single step popup.
Lens sharpness seem nice, though wide open did seem to introduce a bit of edge softness. With that said the lens can produce some pleasing bokeh, better then the slower RX100 VII’s lens. The colors that the canon produced were pleasing and spot on, very similar to my OMD EM5 II. I found the menu system to be logical and well thought out and didn’t get in the way to using the camera. In fact I found the G5X II to be quite enjoyable to use, whether we’re talking about the improved holdability (I love that grip), the buttons, or the menu.
RX100 VII,
I found the camera to exude premium quality, very solid feeling but lack of a grip means its not that holdable. The popup EVF, is a nice improvement over the Canon. The lens ring feels solid and has a nice resistance. The menu system is horrible, I cannot say enough about how it’s overly confusing and needlessly complex. The auto focus is definitely better then the G5X’s but I found in practice the difference wasn’t that huge. I don’t do video, and maybe what/how I shoot doesn’t play into Son’y improved autofocus as much as I thought it would. The longer reach of the lens is definitely a great benefit even at the expense of being dimmer. Overall, the advantages of the RX100 VII boiled down to the longer reach and auto focus.
Conclusion.
The G5X II offered a nice set of features, fast lens, fun camera to use for what amounted to be between 200 to 400 (depending on whether you buy the extended warranty), cheaper. In other words, I didn’t feel the longer reach and faster AF was worth the higher price for the RX100 VII, coupled with the fact that I enjoyed using the G5X II was enough for me to settle in on Canon over the RX100 VII.
YMMV, and I’m not trying to imply that the RX100 isn’t a nice camera, I don’t think you can go wrong with either one, but for my needs I couldn’t justify the higher price tag.
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