Canon G16 vs

Jon_T wrote:

All depends on your budget and acceptable image quality.

The G15 and G16 do provide good quality images for a 12MP 1/1.7" sensor.

But neither can match the image quality of the G5 X's larger 1" 20MP sensor.

You can compare the image quality comparisons between the G16, G5 X and other cameras with the DPR Studio Scene Comparison Tool.

Studio Scene Comparison Tool - Normal Light

Studio Comparison Tool - Low Light Option (light bulb icon)

As you can see the G5 X image quality can compare quite well to APS-C sensor DSLR's image quality.

Of course, I can't disagree with you, but I did want to point something out for the benefit of the OP and others. At least something to consider. The screenshots above are at the full resolution of the different cameras. In particular, the G5X is 20mp and the G16 is 12mp. That means the G5X image is larger and that also helps it look a bit better. Also, the particular spot chosen of the image (playing cards at the bottom) appears to be a bit out of focus in the G16. When I selected other areas of the image it looks somewhat better, but still seems to be out of focus.

Here are the same screenshots, but with the option to compare them all at the smallest common size, i.e., 12mp. And 12mp is enough to make an excellent 13x17 inch print without resorting to uprezzing.

Studio Scene Comparison Tool - Normal Light

Studio Comparison Tool - Low Light Option (light bulb icon)

The above are all jpegs. I also looked at raws at all ISOs and both lighting types. Generally I would say the G5X is about 1 to 1.5 stops better as far as noise. At the lower ISOs that is pretty much irrelevant since both have low enough noise at those ISOs to not be an issue. Once you get up to ISO 800 or higher then the G5X's lower noise becomes more noticeable. I will make note here though that you have to be careful while using this tool to look at raw so that you understand what you are seeing. They turn off all raw noise reduction in ACR to produce these images. That means that luminance noise reduction is off and it means that chroma noise reduction is also off. Chroma noise is very easily removed with ACR, LR, and most software these days and, unlike luminance noise reduction, it doesn't generally cause any bad side effects. Luminance noise reduction, on the other hand, can smear detail.

The G5X probably also has 1 to 1.5 stops better dynamic range and that is not something that these test images show. In my mind, that is more important than a bit more resolution or a bit better high ISO.

The G16 is still a very good camera and has some things that I prefer to the G5X. Canon both gaveth and taketh away with the G5X. We had hoped and expected that the G5X would retain all the good stuff of the G16, but add a new sensor, an EVF, etc. Well, Canon did add some stuff, but they also took away some stuff.