The Canon Powershot G5X Mark II is Canon's latest update to the G5X Mark I, a popular premium compact camera, so we thought we'd have a look at the main differences between the two cameras, plus what's the same, and what's better? 

Read our full review of the Canon Powershot G5 X Mark II, or read our review of the original G5 X (Mark I).

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Canon Powershot G5 X Mark II Vs G5 X Mark I Features

Canon Powershot G5X Mark II Vs Mark I Rear EVF

The original Canon Powershot G5 X was released in 2016, the G5 X Mark II released three years later, in 2019.

What's new? 

Both feature a 20mp 1inch BSI CMOS sensor, however the G5X Mark II features a whole new "stacked" CMOS sensor that allows for high-speed continuous shooting, with the camera offering up to 30fps using the new "raw-burst" mode. You'll also find a 20fps continuous shooting mode that lets you shoot JPEG or JPEG+raw images. These speeds are impressive, when compared to the continuous shooting speed of 5.9fps that the G5X Mark I offers. 

The ISO range has been improved, with the G5X II now able to shoot at ISO25600, higher than the ISO12800 offered by the G5X. 

Canon Powershot G5X Mark II

The 5x optical zoom lens on the G5X Mark II is new, with the new lens covering 24-120mm (equivalent), compared to 24-100mm on the G5X, whilst still maintaining an f/1.8 aperture at the wide-angle end of the lens, and the f/2.8 aperture at the telephoto end of the lens. 

4K video is now on offer, with the G5X II able to record 4K video at 30 or 25fps, with a 10 minute limit. The G5X II also offers HDR FullHD video recording (at 25fps), as well as high-speed FullHD video recording at 120/100fps. An improvement over the FullHD video offered by the G5X, which has a maximum frame rate of 60fps.

The G5X II now features USB 3, instead of the MicroUSB featured on the G5X. There's also a slight improvement in battery life, with 230 shots vs 210 shots on the original. Both cameras offer 320 shots with ECO mode enabled. 

Key Features and specifications compared:

What's the same? 

The electronic viewfinder (EVF) design has changed, with the G5X EVF on top, while the Mark II now features a pop-up EVF. However, the resolution, size, and magnification on offer is the same with both EVFs features 2360K dots resolution. 

Both cameras have an exposure compensation dial on top. 

Is the Canon Powershot G5X Mark II worse than the Mark I? 

The flash hot-shoe is now gone, with the G5X Mark II not featuring one.

Both cameras have a control wheel around the lens, however the G5X Mark II has one less command wheel, with a front control wheel now gone. 

There's a tilting screen, rather than a vari-angle screen, and depending on your preferences, you may see this as a negative or a positive, with some people preferring the vari-angle screen, particularly as you can fold the screen away to protect it. Some may prefer the tilting screen, as it's quick to tilt and get in to position.

The price is higher at around £855, compared to the G5X which is available for around £599.

Canon Powershot G5 X Mark II Vs G5 X Mark I Handling

Canon Powershot G5X Mark II Vs Mark I Top

Here we some some fairly major differences, in the design, layout, and handling of the two cameras.

The most noticeable difference when you get the two cameras in your hand is the change in build materials used for the G5 X Mark II, with the camera body and lens ring being plastic, rather than the metal found on the original G5 X. Perhaps partly to help make up for this change, the G5X Mark II has ample rubber grip surrounding the camera, with the front (both sides), and rear thumb area covered in rubber. Both have ample grips at the front as well as the back.

The G5 X Mark II is also smaller, and lighter, but the lens does protrude more.

Canon Powershot G5X Mark II Vs Mark I Rear

The G5X lets you hide away the screen when not in use, protecting it from scratches, or for if you know you want to use the electronic viewfinder at all times, rather than the screen. The top electronic viewfinder (EVF) has been hidden away on the new Mark II version, but still features an eye-detection sensor, so that the camera can automatically switch between the screen and EVF when needed. 

The button layout has been changed, slightly, and the video record button has been moved, which means there's less chance that you'll accidentally press it. As mentioned earlier, the flash hot-shoe has now gone. 

There's now USB Type-C available with the G5 X Mark II, instead of the MicroUSB on the G5 X.