The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III has become one of the most sought-after compact cameras for travel, everyday photography, social media, and video. Its appeal is easy to understand: a 20.1-megapixel 1-inch sensor, a bright 24-100mm equivalent f/1.8-2.8 zoom lens, 4K video, and a truly pocketable body. We covered why the G7 X III is still so popular in an earlier post.
But if you've been trying to find one, you already know that availability can be difficult.
The good news is that there are several excellent alternatives that deliver many of the same qualities people love about the G7 X III: compact size, strong image quality, built-in zoom lenses, and excellent photo and video capability.
Here are three cameras we recommend considering.
Sony ZV-1 II
If your interest in the G7 X III is primarily for content creation, travel, video, or social media, the Sony ZV-1 II should be near the top of your list.
The ZV-1 II uses a 20.1-megapixel 1-inch sensor, very similar in size and resolution to the G7 X III. Its built-in 18-50mm equivalent f/1.8-4 lens is noticeably wider than the Canon's 24-100mm lens, making it particularly useful for handheld video, vlogging, group shots, interiors, and travel photography.
Sony also gives the ZV-1 II excellent autofocus and strong video-oriented features in an extremely compact package. Eye AF tracks human faces and eyes and can be set to track animals too, and Real-time Tracking follows the subject you tap on the screen.
At approximately 4.15 x 2.36 x 1.84 inches and 10.3 ounces with battery and memory card, it is remarkably close in size and weight to the G7 X III, which measures approximately 4.13 x 2.40 x 1.63 inches and 10.7 ounces with battery and memory card.
Consider the ZV-1 II If
You want something genuinely pocketable and your priorities include video, social content, travel, and wide-angle shooting.
Panasonic Lumix ZS300
If you love the idea of a compact camera but wish the G7 X III had much more zoom, the Panasonic Lumix ZS300 is an especially interesting alternative.
Like the Canon, the ZS300 features a 20.1-megapixel 1-inch sensor, but Panasonic pairs it with a remarkably versatile 24-360mm equivalent 15x optical zoom. That gives you dramatically more reach for travel, landscapes, distant subjects, details, and everyday photography.
The tradeoff is lens speed. The ZS300 has an f/3.3-6.4 maximum aperture, where the G7 X III's lens opens to a much brighter f/1.8-2.8. If most of your shooting happens in dim rooms, or you want strongly blurred backgrounds, that brighter lens is what you would be giving up.
Even with its much longer zoom, the Panasonic remains very compact at approximately 4.38 x 2.61 x 1.78 inches and weighs about 11.9 ounces with battery and memory card.
Consider the ZS300 If
You want one small camera for vacations and everyday use and would rather have a huge zoom range than an especially fast lens.
Canon PowerShot V1
For photographers and creators who want to stay within the Canon system, the newer Canon PowerShot V1 is another compelling choice.
The V1 takes a somewhat different approach from the G7 X III. Its 1.4-type sensor is larger than the G7 X III's 1-inch sensor, with approximately 22.3 megapixels for still photography. It has a built-in 16-50mm equivalent f/2.8-4.5 lens for stills (17-52mm when recording video), giving it a much wider field of view that is especially useful for video, interiors, travel, environmental portraits, and handheld content creation.
It also includes optical image stabilization, a built-in 3-stop ND filter, microphone and headphone connections, and Canon's Dual Pixel CMOS AF II autofocus with eye, face, and body detection.
The V1 is the largest of these alternatives, measuring approximately 4.7 x 2.7 x 2.1 inches and weighing around 15 ounces with battery and memory card. It is still a compact fixed-lens camera, but it is less pocketable than the G7 X III or Sony ZV-1 II.
Consider the PowerShot V1 If
You want a newer Canon compact with strong photo and video capability and don't mind carrying something slightly larger.
How Do They Compare?
- Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III: 20.1MP 1-inch sensor, 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 lens, 4.13 x 2.40 x 1.63 in., 10.7 oz. Suits all-around compact photo and video.
- Sony ZV-1 II: 20.1MP 1-inch sensor, 18-50mm f/1.8-4 lens, 4.15 x 2.36 x 1.84 in., 10.3 oz. Suits video, social media, and vlogging.
- Panasonic Lumix ZS300: 20.1MP 1-inch sensor, 24-360mm f/3.3-6.4 lens, 4.38 x 2.61 x 1.78 in., 11.9 oz. Suits travel and long zoom.
- Canon PowerShot V1: 22.3MP 1.4-type sensor, 16-50mm f/2.8-4.5 lens, 4.7 x 2.7 x 2.1 in., 15 oz. Suits hybrid photo and video and wide-angle shooting.
Specs sourced from Canon, Sony, and Panasonic. Weights include battery and memory card.
Which One Should You Choose?
There isn't one camera here that duplicates the G7 X III exactly. That's actually useful, because you can choose based on what matters most to you.
If you want something closest in overall size and particularly strong for video and content creation, look at the Sony ZV-1 II.
If you want a compact camera with vastly more zoom range for travel, consider the Panasonic Lumix ZS300.
And if you want to stay with Canon while moving to a newer compact design with a larger sensor and strong hybrid photo and video capabilities, the PowerShot V1 is an excellent option.
Try Them at Samy's Camera
Sometimes the best way to choose a camera is to actually hold it.
You can shop these cameras online at Samys.com, or visit one of our three Samy's Camera retail stores in Los Angeles, Pasadena, or Santa Ana to compare them in person. Our sales staff can help you handle the cameras, compare the controls and lenses, and determine which one fits the way you actually shoot.
Whether you were originally looking for a G7 X III for travel, photography, video, or social media, there are excellent alternatives available, and we'll help you find the one that fits you best.
Shop compact cameras at Samy's Camera online or visit us in Los Angeles, Pasadena, or Santa Ana.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good alternative to the Canon G7 X Mark III?
It depends on what drew you to the G7 X III. The Sony ZV-1 II is the closest in size and is built around video and vlogging. The Panasonic Lumix ZS300 gives you a 24-360mm equivalent zoom in a pocketable body. The Canon PowerShot V1 keeps you with Canon and moves to a larger 1.4-type sensor in a slightly bigger camera.
Which G7 X Mark III alternative is made for vlogging?
The Sony ZV-1 II. Sony designed it as a vlog camera, with an 18-50mm equivalent wide-angle lens that fits you and your surroundings in a selfie shot, a side flip-out touchscreen, and an intelligent built-in microphone. A wind screen comes in the box for recording outdoors.
Does the Sony ZV-1 II have image stabilization?
Yes, but it is electronic rather than optical. Its Active Mode steadies handheld video while you walk and shoot. The Panasonic Lumix ZS300 and Canon PowerShot V1 both use optical stabilization in the lens.
Do any of these compact cameras have a viewfinder?
No. All four cameras, including the G7 X III, are framed on the rear screen. The G7 X III's touchscreen tilts up 180 degrees for selfies, the ZV-1 II and PowerShot V1 screens flip out to the side, and the ZS300 uses a fixed 3.0-inch touchscreen.
Can I use an external microphone with the Canon PowerShot V1?
Yes. The V1 has a 3.5mm microphone input and a headphone output for monitoring, and its multi-function hot shoe accepts compatible Canon microphones without extra cables. The G7 X III also has a 3.5mm microphone input. You can browse external microphones at Samy's to pair with either one.
What memory card do these cameras use?
All four record to SD cards. For 4K video, choose a card rated UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) or Video Speed Class 30 (V30) or faster, and note that the PowerShot V1 also supports faster UHS-II cards. Samy's carries memory cards for all four.
