Canon PowerShot G9 X Review: Compact Camera with Powerful Features

Are you in the market for a high-quality compact camera? Look no further than the Canon PowerShot G9 X, a reliable digital camera designed for personal and professional use. This camera packs powerful features into a small, handheld device, delivering excellent image quality and exceptional performance.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Canon PowerShot G9 X article cover photo

Key Features

Oct 12 2015

Announced

20 megapixels

Resolution

BrandCanon
Sensor Type1'
SensorBSI-CMOS
Weight209g
MSRP$529USD

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Overview of the PowerShot G9 X

If you're in search of a high-quality camera that offers powerful features without the bulk, the Canon PowerShot G9 X is an excellent choice. This compact camera packs a punch with its 1-inch sensor and fast autofocus, all while fitting comfortably in your pocket. With a range of manual controls and customizable settings, this camera is perfect for photographers of all skill levels. Let's take a closer look at what makes the Canon PowerShot G9 X worth your investment.

Canon PowerShot G9 X Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Canon PowerShot G9 X camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High image quality
Compact and portable design
Fast autofocus
Touchscreen interface
Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity
Good low-light performance

Cons

Limited zoom range
No viewfinder
No 4K video
Slow burst shooting speed
Limited manual control options
Non-removable battery

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Canon PowerShot G9 X

Weather sealed
Dimensions98 x 58 x 31mm
Weight209g
Thickness31mm
Weight
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Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Canon PowerShot G9 X is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderNone
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution1,040k dots
Body typeCompact

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 1,040k dots. This makes the Canon PowerShot G9 X not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. The camera also features a touch screen, which adds to its ease of use.

Viewfinder

Canon PowerShot G9 X does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the PowerShot G9 X camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Canon PowerShot G9 X has a 20MP sized BSI-CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 20 pixels. Canon PowerShot G9 X has a native ISO range of 125 - 12800 which can be boosted to null - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Oct 12 2015

Announced

125 - 12800

ISO Range

Sensor1'
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution5472 x 3648 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

63 / 102

Color Depth

21.5 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

12.3 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

495 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Canon PowerShot G9 X camera has above average color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also above average, allowing it to retain low amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is poor, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the PowerShot G9 X is below average

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: 1'

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC
Battery Life220 shots
Battery ModelNB-13L
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Canon PowerShot G9 X supports SD/SDHC/SDXC with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Canon PowerShot G9 X uses the NB-13L model of battery pack. This is rated for 220 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Canon PowerShot G9 X has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. However it lacks an external flash shoe, which limits you to using the built-in flash.

Shutter

The Canon PowerShot G9 X boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/2000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Canon PowerShot G9 X includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with null number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Canon PowerShot G9 X?

The Canon PowerShot G9 X features a BSI-CMOS sensor

Is the Canon PowerShot G9 X weather sealed?

No the PowerShot G9 X does not have weather sealing.

When was the Canon PowerShot G9 X announced?

The Canon PowerShot G9 X was announced on Oct 12 2015

Does the Canon PowerShot G9 X have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the PowerShot G9 X does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Canon PowerShot G9 X?

The PowerShot G9 X has a native ISO range of 125-12800, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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