Canon EOS 7D Mark II vs Pentax XG-1

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Canon EOS 7D Mark II and the Pentax XG-1, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Canon EOS 7D Mark II was introduced in September 2014 and Pentax XG-1 was introduced in July 2014. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon EOS 7D Mark II over Pentax XG-1.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pentax XG-1 over Canon EOS 7D Mark II.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Canon EOS 7D Mark II and Pentax XG-1 have 3.0" Fixed screens with 1,040k dot and 460k dot resolutions respectively.

Viewfinder

Canon EOS 7D Mark II has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinderPentax XG-1 has a built-in Electronic viewfinder with 200k dot resolution. Canon EOS 7D Mark II has 100% coverage with 1x (0.63x 35mm equivalent) magnification and magnification.

Canon EOS 7D Mark II features a 20.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 22.4 x 15 mm and a total area of 336 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 16,000 and expands to 100 - 51,200 in boosted mode. Pentax XG-1 features a 16 megapixel 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200.

Pentax XG-1 has BSI-CMOS sensor, short for Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor sensor. In traditional CMOS sensors, the wiring and circuitry are located on the front side of the sensor, which can block some of the incoming light. BSI technology flips this design by placing the photosensitive elements (pixels) on the backside of the sensor, allowing more light to reach the pixels. This significantly enhances light sensitivity and improves low-light performance. BSI-CMOS sensors are particularly effective in low-light conditions, as they can capture more light, resulting in brighter and less noisy images. This makes them well-suited for indoor and night photography. BSI-CMOS sensors deliver a higher SNR and reduced cross-talk.

Canon EOS 7D Mark II is equipped with Dual DIGIC 6 processor and can take pictures up to 5472 x 3648 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4104 x 2736 (M-Raw), 3648 x 2432, 2736 x 1824, 1920 x 1080, 720 x 480 with 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Pentax XG-1 can take pictures up to 4608 x 3456 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3648 x 2736, 2592 x 1944, 640 x 480, 4608 x 3072, 4608 x 2592, 2048 x 1536, 1920 x 1080 with 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.

Pentax XG-1 has an image stabilization.

Built-in GPS on Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Canon EOS 7D Mark II has a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) technology which allows you to automatically tag the location where you took your photos. You can later categorize, organize, and search for photos based on location. This is very useful for travel and outdoor photographers for documenting the locations where images were captured.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in GPS.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB inputs for data transfer. Canon EOS 7D Mark II has a Mini HDMI and Pentax XG-1 has a Type D HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Canon EOS 7D Mark II comes with LP-E6N battery pack with battery life of 670 shots and Pentax XG-1 comes with LB-060 battery pack with battery life of 240 shots.

External Storage Slots

Canon EOS 7D Mark II has two card slots - one for SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) and one for CompactFlash (UDMA 7). Pentax XG-1 has a single SD/SDHC card slot.

Shutter

Canon EOS 7D Mark II has Electronically Controlled Vertical-travel Mechanical Focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Canon EOS 7D Mark II, and up to 1/2000 sec on Pentax XG-1. Canon EOS 7D Mark II can shoot continuously up to 10.0 fps. Pentax XG-1 can shoot continuously up to 9.0 fps.

Focusing

Canon EOS 7D Mark II has Dual Pixel CMOS AF system with 65 (65 cross-type) focusing points and Pentax XG-1 has . Canon EOS 7D Mark II has detection range from -3 to +18 EV.

Exposure

Exposure meterings of Canon EOS 7D Mark II ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Canon EOS 7D Mark II and ±2 range on Pentax XG-1. You can also do exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Canon EOS 7D Mark II and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Pentax XG-1.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m on Canon EOS 7D Mark II and 6.00 m on Pentax XG-1. Canon EOS 7D Mark II also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec on Canon EOS 7D Mark II.

Canon EOS 7D Mark II body has dimensions of 149 x 112 x 78 mm (5.87 x 4.41 x 3.07") and Pentax XG-1 body has dimensions of 119 x 89 x 98 mm (4.69 x 3.5 x 3.86"). Canon EOS 7D Mark II weighs 910 g (2.01 lb / 32.10 oz) and Pentax XG-1 weighs 567 g (1.25 lb / 20.00 oz).

Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Pentax XG-1

149 mm

112 mm

119 mm

89 mm

112 mm

89 mm

78 mm

98 mm