If you are a vlogger or you’re looking to get started with vlogging, or you simply want to create a YouTube channel to make videos, In this comparison, I will not just tell you about the difference between the Canon PowerShot G7X Mark II, andAmazon.in, but will also tell you how how fast or slow things change in the camera world.
The cameras we are comparing in this post, the Canon PowerShot G7X Mark II and the Sony ZV1 were launched in February 2016 and May 2020 respectively. So there is a difference of well over 4 years between both the cameras.
Specification wise, the Sony ZV1 is definitely superior because it is launched four years after the Canon G7X Mark II, and we already have Canon G7X Mark III in the market.
G7 X Mark II was quite popular among youtubers for being a compact vlogging camera, Canon failed to carry forward all the praises the camera got when the next generation of it was launched.
Key specifications of the Canon G7x Mark II and Sony ZV1
Comparing the Camera Body
Going by the specifications sheet, the Sony ZV1 is slightly smaller and lighter in comparison to Canon G7X Mark II, but when you hold both the cameras in hand side by side there is virtually no difference at all in it’s size.
The only difference you will feel is in the weight, which is is around 294 grams, where the Canon G7X Mark II is heavier (319 grams), because of the metal built.
The Canon G7X Mark II feels more premium than Sony ZV1, there are a lot of things on the camera that you will like, such as the Dial Menu on the top, for selecting different modes, and a Flashlight, both of which are absent in the Sony ZV1.
Why? because Sony has made it specifically for content creators, who are more interested in shooting videos than taking photos. So the flashlight is kind of unimportant to video content creators, and it has been removed from the Sony ZV1 for placing a better microphones and a hot shoe mount.
The the footprint of both the cameras are pretty much identical with placements of buttons being the difference between them. Such as, the video record button on Canon G7X Mark II is at the back while it is on the top on Sony ZV1.
Instead of having the dial menu on the top, Sony has put the Menu on the ring button at the back. Thankfully, the buttons on both the cameras are not too overwhelming and you can easily learn about them just by playing around with the cameras for a few minutes.
The bottom of both the cameras have got tripod mount thread, and the battery compartment and both the cameras also so has the the SD card slot inside it.
Comparing the LCD screen
One of many reasons why the Canon G7X Mark II was number one choice for a lot of vloggers and youtubers was that it has a 3-inch LCD screen which can be flipped up, so that you can frame yourself nicely while shooting a video of yourself.
Sony ZV1 also has a 3-inch LCD screen but instead of letting up it flips out and then it can be rotated to to front or back. And the reason behind a not giving a flip up screen is because it has given a hot shoe mount on the top. Since there is also a slot for 3.5 mm audio jack on the camera, you can use external microphones with the Sony ZV1, and the flip out screen makes sense in that case.
Personally, after trying both the type of screens, I prefer the flip up screen because when you look at the 3 inch LCD screen it doesn’t feel weird and feels like you are looking in the camera, while on the flip out screens, when you are constantly looking at the LCD screen, it shows in the camera that you are not looking in the camera.
So, you have to make a habit of looking into the camera and not looking into the 3 inch LCD screen all the time. The flip up screen also makes it a little compact while vlogging, in comparison to the flip out screen, which feels wider.
Another thing I like about the LCD screen on the Canon G7X Mark II is that it is fully touch operational, meaning you can tap on the screen to make changes in the settings or swipe between the photos.
The LCD screen on the Sony ZV1 only utilizes touch operation for putting something in focus, so it is not fully touch operational. It is not much of a deal breaker and is more of a habit kind of thing and depends on what kind of camera your upgrading from.
Comparing Video Quality
If you go back to the spec sheet of both the cameras, both have got 20mp, 1 inch sensor and both the cameras are capable of producing quality video footage.
Sony ZV1 is capable of capturing videos in 4K resolution at 60fps, while Canon G7X Mark II only offers upto Full HD resolution at 60fps. So, if you are looking for a compact 4K camera, the choice is pretty easy to make.
Since both the cameras belong to point & shoot category, they have got fixed lenses, which means you won’t be able to change the lenses available on the cameras so it is important to know the focal length of the lenses.
The Canon G7X Mark II has the lens of 24-100mm with f/1.8-2.8 aperture, while the Sony ZV1 has the lens of 24-70mm with f/1.8-2.8 aperture. The ISO range is also same on both the cameras from 125-12800.
Many factors are involved for the video quality, some are external and some internal, such as, choosing the right kind of settings, and some are external, such as the time of the day and the condition of the light.
If you know the settings well, and you know how to capture your scenes, you can pick any camera, and get the highest quality video possible.
For the simplicity, I used both the cameras in the same scenarios with basic settings
Comparing Audio Quality
Sony remove the dial menu button from the top and also removed flash to fit in better set of internal microphones. But when compared to the internal microphone of the Canon G7XMark II, I really didn’t find any difference.
So when compared for the audio quality from the inbuilt microphone on both the cameras it is pretty much at par.
But the great thing about the Sony one is it offers an external microphone slot, and there is a hot shoe Mount on the top of the camera. So you can finally attach an external microphone. The difference between audio recorded from the inbuilt microphone and audio recorded from a directional external microphone is like Night and Day.
I use both the cameras for vlogging, when in doors, you can do away with the internal microphone, but when you are out those, an external microphone can improve the the audio quality a lot.
Comparing Ease of Use
Bringing the Canon G7XMark II to with you along with your Travels is extremely easy. Since it is so thin that I can sleep it into your pocket you don’t have to worry about carrying it in a bag or something.
But again, the Sony ZV1 supports external microphone, so it is definitely not something you can slip into your pocket while the external microphone is attached to it, but instant half having big directional microphones, if you have smaller microphones like the boya M1, on the road Micro Mini, aur even the rode wireless go, it is still a compact setup and can be carried without much effort.
If I casually step out of home both the cameras are can be carried along without the need of an extra bag.
Which One Should You Get?
Even though G7 X Mark II 2 was launched in 2016, it is still quite a popular choice among youtubers.
If you are simply looking for a camera you can take with you on your travel to capture photos and videos, the G7 X Mark II is still going to make you happy. But if you are content creator who has to make videos, features like product showcase, defocus mode, external microphone support make the Sony ZV1 if our better deal, even for a much higher price.
Buy Canon G7X Mark II – Amazon.in | Amazon.com
