DxOMark continues to rate the sensors in current camera models, and their latest victim was the Canon G1 X Mk II. The successor to the original G1 X again comes with a fixed lens and a sensor larger than the (Micro) Four Thirds format, but still smaller than the APS-C format. Sporting a resolution of 15 megapixels, one is bound to assume that it would outperform the Micro Four Thirds crowd at least by a small margin–but actually, the opposite seems to be the case.
With an overall score of 58 points, the PowerShot G1 X Mk II is ranked even lower than its predecessor, wich managed to score 60 points. Compared to current Micro Four Thirds models, however, the G1 X Mk II is way behind: the Olympus OM-D E-M10’s sensor has received 72 points in DxOMark’s test, and even the tiny Panasonic GM1 scores a solid 64 points. But here’s the most interesting part: even Canon’s own PowerShot S120 with its tiny 1/1.7″ sensor scores almost as high as the G1 X Mk II, though of course it doesn’t hold up when it comes to dynamic range and high ISO noise.
This isn’t the first time that we see Canon sensors receiving bad ratings by DxOMark, though. Just recently, their lab tested the EOS Rebel T5, and it, too, was rated way lower than its immediate competition. But despite the mediocre ratings, Canon DSLRs still enjoy a huge popularity especially on western markets, and even the EOS M mirrorless system is very popular over in Japan. When it comes to pure image quality, though, it seems that you’re better of with almost any other brand.