Canon G9X vs Sony RX100

Introduction

When I have made other comparisons about point-and-shoot cameras I’ve said these cameras are more oriented towards people who aren’t really into photography, but they just want a camera so they can save their memories. However, this is not really the case with these two cameras, since they both are pretty high-end, in terms of features and performance-wise.

Today, I will make a head-to-head comparison about the Canon G9X vs the Sony RX100, you may have heard about them, seen them in action or even used them sometimes, but if you aren’t really sure if you should purchase one of these camera’s or not, today I’m going to help clear that doubt.

These types of cameras are pretty compact with the simple designed operation, automatic systems for setting the exposure options, and they have flash units built-in.

By the end of this article, I believe that you will have enough facts to support your decision, whether you need the G9X or the Sony RX100, because it’s not really a matter of which one is the best, it’s a matter of which one meets your requirements the most, and which one has the features that you are after.

I will also include a comparison table before we end with the reviews, where you will be able to see the most key features about both cameras, and which one outperforms the other in specific tasks, so let’s not wait any longer and just start with the reviews, shall we?

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Head To Head Comparison

Canon G9X

As we said, these type of cameras are pretty compact, they are perfect for people who travel a lot due to their lightweight construction and their small size. This particular camera, the G9X has been a popular option for years now, and even though there is a newer version available, this one seems to deliver more value for money. It has a remarkable image quality, but I am going to talk about that a bit later in this review, now, let’s first begin with the design, body, and aesthetics.

In terms of the design, the G9X has a very eye-catching design, especially the model that I’ve chosen to review, it has a silver construction followed by some brown textured accents on the sides which not only delivers comfortability while holding the camera, but they also give a great look to the overall design of the G9X. I really like these type of cameras because it’s almost effortless carrying them wherever you go, they are lighter than any other type of camera out there, while for this specific one, it has a weight of 209grams with the battery included. As for the buttons, I don’t think we should really get deep into that since point-and-shoot have a really simple operation, which means that they don’t really have many buttons, just the primary ones.

When it comes to handling, the size and the natural finger spot have a decent and well-balanced space that doesn’t interfere with any of the buttons near, but now let’s talk about its LCD screen.

First, let’s just mention that this may not be the perfect camera for videography due to the fixed LCD screen which doesn’t tilt or rotate for shooting from different angles, while it’s also easier to handle the camera with a tilting screen, but we don’t have that here. Second, the screen is 3-in with 1,04-million dot resolution which means that it shows perfectly detailed, vibrant and sharp previews, while it’s also perfect in outdoor light, but that’s not really the best part since the screen is also touch-enabled.

Personally, when I buy a camera, the first thing I search for is if it has touchscreen capabilities, it’s a great addition to have not only that it makes operation easier, but it’s a futuristic feature which makes the camera look more high-end, you know fronting with friends is fun sometimes, right?

I think this pretty much covers everything there is to tell about the design, now let’s dive in more and see what specifics this camera has.

Considering it’s a point-and-shoot camera and not more of a “professional type of camera”, the Canon G9X has a 20-megapixel 1″ BSI-CMOS sensor, while this combines with the DIGIC 6 image processor for more enhancements and faster performance.

I find the camera to perform great even in low-light due to the ISO sensitivity of 125 to up to 12,800, while even if you shoot at the highest ISOs, you’re still going to get stunning image results with noise-free quality, sharpness, and no blur in the way.

When it comes to the autofocus system, the Canon G9X has contrast-detection AiAF 31-point system, face detection or touch AF with Object and Face Select and track, while a 1-point AF in any position that is available of the fixed center. This truly promises good tracking capabilities, while during my testing, the camera could easily track, lock and maintain focus even with fast-moving subjects.

Also, it’s important to note that this particular camera has a continuous shooting speed of 6-frames per second, while when it comes to video recording, the G9X can record at Full HD 1080p, and for more convenience, there is a built-in microphone and the camera lets you zoom optically the lens while filming. Also, the recording mode can be switched by pressing the red button on the rear, but the mode dial should be set to Movie first which will also unlock further advanced options.

Moreover, there is a built-in Wi-Fi for instant sharing or transferring with compatible smartphone devices or tablets. All and all, this camera really deserves its reputation, it’s fast, reliable and it outputs a remarkable image quality, while all of this comes into a one really affordable point-and-shoot package.

Canon G9X Sample Images:

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Sony RX100

If you’re already a photographer and your DSLR feels too heavy and bulky to carry, a point-and-shoot camera is what comes into the spotlight. I have made reviews about newer RX100 models, but I never really got to compare the G9X with the original RX100, and that’s what I’m going to do today. Although, take in mind that even though these cameras differ in price, they come with similar specs, while design it’s where they really differentiate from one another.

Since we mentioned the design, the RX100 has a really modern, clean minimalistic design which looks pretty impressive, while the camera boasts a really lightweight construction just as a point-and-shoot camera should be like, and same as the G9X, this one also is preferable for travelers, and people who just want a second camera to go with.

It has a metal chassis that gives the camera incredible durability, and it feels like it can withstand the odd knock and scrape, while for more convenience there is an automatic drop detection feature that sees the camera and it retracts its lens in a sudden fall.

Now even though a point-and-shoot camera doesn’t have many buttons, the controls are still well-balanced and spaced in-between for a more comfortable experience.

In addition, the RX100 has a fairly large 3-inches screen which packs a plethora of premium features within, while it offers one of the clearest and bright views from a number of different angles, including in outdoor light, and I really like the fact that the screen is built with 12M dots. Also, this camera has the company’s TrueBlack technology on the screen and an RGBW structure, which helps for higher contrast. However, the same as the G9X, the RX100 also has a fixed screen, but what’s worse is that it lacks touchscreen capabilities, so here’s one disadvantage.

Now, let’s get more into the specifics and see what else does this camera offer.

First, I’m going to start with the sensor which features 20.1-megapixels and it EXMOS CMOS type sensor, while it has a native ISO range of 125-6400, and a boosted ISO sensitivity of 80, 100, and 25,600. As you can see, similar to the G9X, the RX100 also is a great low-light performer due to the fact that even at the highest ISOs, it can still deliver great results with sharp details, vibrant and colorful images without no blur.

Also, it’s important to note that this camera has a continuous shooting speed of 10-frames per second, while the autofocus system is also pretty impressive, but if you compare it with the G9X, it’s a bit different since it has a 25-point contrast-detect AF system, while the G9X has a 31-point AF, while the RX100 also doesn’t have a flexible spot with lock-on AF.

In terms of recording, you can capture movies at the highest resolution available with capabilities for 60p in 1080m while this provides you with a stunning, fast motion video with less distortion for playback on your HD TV, and it for more convenience, it has dual record for stills and movies, which means that you can shoot both at the same time. In addition, you can choose between an array of controls for video and still shooting from the beginner’s iAUTO mode to P/A/S/M, while the on-screen prompts help you refine your skills, build your confidence and exercise greater creative control.

Before we end, it’s important to mention that the RX100 doesn’t have a built-in Wi-Fi or NFC, so this also limits the methods on how you can connect with your smartphone for sharing or transferring files.

Overall, the Sony RX100 would be a remarkable option for those who just want a second camera to go with, or for people who aren’t really into photography but want a compact, lightweight camera to save their memories and capture the moments.

Sony RX100 Sample Images:

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Canon G9X vs Sony RX100 Feature Comparison

	Canon G9X	Sony RX100
Camera Type	Point-and-shoot	Point-and-shoot
Megapixels	20.2	20.1
ISO Range	125-12800	125-6400(25,600)
Flip-Out Screen	No	No
AF Points	31 AF Points	25 AF Points
Viewfinder	No	No
Touchscreen	Yes	No
Video Recording	Yes	Yes
Sensor Size	CMOS	CMOS

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Conclusion

In the end, both of these cameras are great and considering that they are point-and-shoot cameras, they have pretty good specs and remarkable image quality.

Now, as we got the comparison table out of the way, I believe you have enough facts and arguments to support your decision, however, I do think that the Canon G9X delivers more value for money, while the Sony RX100 is more feature-rich in some ways, but it still lacks touchscreen capabilities, which the Canon G9X has.

If you were to choose between these cameras, I would highly suggest you go for the G9X, it’s simply better in some ways, and the autofocus system is also one reason that should convince you that this camera is better.

However, as I’ve said in the beginning, it always depends on what features your after, so if the RX100 provides you with those features, then you should go for the RX100.

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