Canon G9 Vs. Sony RX100 | Our Honest Thoughts [UPDATED 2022]

Though we tend to think of our smartphone cameras as all-encompassing, you’ll need to look further than the device in your pocket if you want to become a truly great photographer. Without an excellent camera, the picture you took of that picturesque sunset won’t look half as good as it could.

Whether you’re a professional looking for a new addition to your repertoire or a hobbyist seeking an entry point, finding a fantastic camera that suits your needs can be challenging. The market is flooded with millions of options and beginning your search can be tedious and daunting.

Our Top Pick

In this review, we’re going to narrow in on Sony and Canon cameras only. We handpicked one individual model of each brand, and then pitted them against each other. By the end of this article, we’ll see which model wins this battle of kings: the Canon G9 vs the Sony RX100.

Sony and Canon are two leading manufacturers of high quality and reliable cameras. Together with Nikon these companies dominate the market, which is the result of their hard-earned decades-long work to create top tier products.

Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II vs. Sony RX100 IV Reviewed

Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II Compact Digital Camera w/ 1 Inch Sensor and 3inch LCD – Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth Enabled

Key Features

• Zoom lens, x3 optical zoom
• Sensor Resolution: 20MP
• Sensor size: 1 inch
• Built-in wireless, Bluetooth, and smartphone device connectivity
• 1920×1080 video resolution
• 8.2 fps continuous shooting
• Time-lapse recording
• Optical image stabilization
• Touchscreen technology
• Weight: 7.2 oz.
• Dimensions: 1.2 x 3.9 x 2.3 inches

Canon G9 X II has a 20.0MP BSI-CMOS sensor and features a DIGIC 7 processor. You can shoot with this camera at a maximum resolution of 5472 x 3648 pixels with aspect ratios of 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, and 16:9.

G9 X II has a native ISO range of 125-12800 and it can save files in the higher-quality RAW format. Photographers revere this digital camera for its outstanding image quality, affordability, freedom to choose from tons of creative options, and ease of use. What’s more, it comes in a compact size, making it highly portable.

Pros

• Shoots in both JPEG and RAW formats (learn about RAW vs JPEG here)
• The innovative face recognition and red-eye correction aids in producing well-balanced, natural-looking, and bright faces
• The optical image stabilization feature eliminates blur and shakiness in both images and videos without degrading quality
• The time-lapse recording provides for creative photography
• The touchscreen makes this camera easy to use
• Light-weight and portable

Cons

• It does not have in-built GPS to track your location
• The camera app is not that easy to use

Our Rating: 4.8/5

Verdict

This camera produces sharp, fine, and top-notch images, similar to the performance of a DSLR. Canon PowerShot G9X is a great fit for individuals needing compact, light-weight cameras that produce higher quality images. This camera also has a time-lapse recording feature for creative photography and a touchscreen for easy use. This camera is best suited for travel photographers or students, as it has some manual controls and provides DSLR-quality pictures and video. But at a quarter of the weight and a fraction of the price.

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Sony RX100 IV 20.1 MP Premium Compact Digital Camera w/ 1-inch Sensor, 4K Movies and 40x Super Slow Motion HD

Key Features

• Zoom lens: x2.9 optical zoom
• Sensor Resolution: 20MP
• Sensor size: 1 inch
• Built-in wireless, and smartphone device connectivity
• 3840 x 2160 video resolution
• 16fps continuous shooting
• Selfie-friendly LCD screen
• Tilting LCD screen
• Electronic viewfinder
• Optical image stabilization
• Weight: 0.6lbs
• Dimensions: 4 x 1.6 x 2.8 inches

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV is a 20.0MP, large sensor digital camera with a 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor. Sony replaced the older Sony RX100 III with this model. It has 16fps continuous shooting, a high video resolution with HD video capability, and wireless connectivity. Besides, this digital camera comes with a tilting, selfie-friendly LCD screen, and an electronic viewfinder for better image control.

This point-and-shoot camera retails at the $800 range and is worth every penny. It takes brilliant pictures, records HD videos, contains endless settings to play around with, and provides tons of creative options. It is also a versatile and light-weight camera, with DSLR-quality to match.

Pros

• It has high ISO performance in low light, meaning it can take brilliant photos, whatever the light conditions
• The camera shoots and records in both RAW and JPEG formats
• The built-in electronic viewfinder gives better image control
• It has a built-in ND filter and larger aperture for use in strong light conditions

Cons

• The camera has no external flash shoe for flash photography
• The camera has no touchscreen

Our Rating: 4.9/5

Verdict

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV takes fantastic videos and images. It has HD video capability, tilting LCD screen for flexible shooting, and an electronic viewfinder for better image framing. It also has a high quality MIC to pick up sounds. This camera, however, lacks a touchscreen for ease of use and has no time-lapse recording capability for creative shooting. It more than makes up for these cons with long battery life and selfie-friendly LCD screen.

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Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II and Sony RX100 IV Digital Cameras – What Should You Consider Before Buying A Digital Camera?

The Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II digital camera debuted in January 2017. Canon’s G series offers a range of digital cameras that steer clear from the traditional bulkiness of DSLR cameras while retaining the functionality and specifications of such models.

The Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX 100 IV, released in June 2015, is part of the Cyber-shot digital cameras line, of which the first model was introduced to the market in 1996. All cameras in this series feature a prefix DSC, which means Digital Still Camera, a reference to their optical stabilization feature.

Both of these cameras offer amazing features for the price. So what are some of the features you should look when buying a digital camera?

Ergonomics

A good place to start is by analysing how the camera feels in your hands. Can you effortlessly reach all the buttons? Is the menu well organized, logical, easy to use and understand, and does it contain all of the essential controls? Assuming you were to carry it around the whole day, would that be feasible? A suitable compact digital camera is light-weight, fits well in the palm of your hand, has all the essential camera controls, and the menu is easily understandable.

Lens Quality

The lens is the most significant determinant of a camera’s image quality. An expensive camera body is of no good use when the lens doesn’t measure up.

Look out for characteristics like the focal length, maximum aperture, shutter speed, zoom quality, image stabilization feature, and type of lens. These characteristics contribute to the quality of the camera lens.

ISO Number

ISO measures the sensitivity of the camera’s sensor to light. The higher the ISO number, the more sensitive the camera is to light. This feature enables the camera to shoot well in low light.

The downside to a higher ISO number is that the shot taken is noisier compared to one with a low ISO number. What this translates to is the lower the ISO number, the more beautiful the shot.

Durability

Cameras incorporating magnesium alloys as well as weather and shock proofing, also known as environmental sealing, tend to outlast those without these protective features. Opt for the former.

Price

Price is an important determinant. Many people are on a budget and do not have limitless amounts of money to spend. Although a digital camera is an investment, it doesn’t have to destroy your wallet. Avoid the cheapest cameras out there, as it’s a decision you’ll most likely regret. Cheap cameras lack many useful features. Many models replicate similar characteristics, so do your research to get the best value for your money.

Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II vs. Sony RX100 IV – Similarities

There are a few similarities in features that the two digital cameras share. Both cameras have:

• Face detection focus vital for portrait photography
• RAW image format capability for better quality images
• Built-in wireless capability
• No external flash shoe for flash photography
• No environmental sealing

Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II vs. Sony RX100 IV – Differences

So, we’ve got the Canon G9 vs Sony RX100. What are the notable differences between these two cameras?

• The RX100 IV retails at on average $800, while the Canon G7X Mark II retails in the more affordable $400 range
• The RX100 IV has a higher LCD screen resolution and faster continuous shooting speeds
• The RX100 IV has a longer battery life
• The Canon G9X comes with a touchscreen for more comfortable camera use
• The RX100 has an electronic viewfinder for better image framing and control
• The Canon G9X is Bluetooth-enabled
• The Canon G9X comes with time-lapse recording for creative photography

Canon Powershot G9 Mark II vs. Sony RX 100 IV – Comparison Tables

Features	Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II	Sony RX100 IV
Zoom Lens	28-84 mm F2-4.9, x3.0 optical lens	24-70 mm F1.8-2.8, x2.9 optical lens
Max Video Quality	1920 x 1080	3840 x 2160, with 960fps high-speed video
LCD screen resolution	1.040k	1.229k
Continuous Shooting for Fast Shooting Speeds	8.2fps	16fps
Sensors for Image Quality	20MP – 1-inch BSI-CMOS Sensor	20MP – 1-inch BSI-CMOS Sensor
RAW Format Images for Better Image Quality	Yes	Yes
ISO Performance and Built-in Flash for Low-light Photography	Yes. 125 – 12800	Yes. 125 – 12800 (expands to 80-25600)
Face Detection Focus for Portrait Photos	Yes	Yes
Optical Image Stabilization	Yes	Yes
Battery Life (CIPA) for Longer Shooting Hours	235 shots	280 shots
Electronic Viewfinder for Better Framing and Control	No	Yes
Touch Screen for Ease of Use	Yes	No
Selfie-friendly LCD screen	No	Yes
Tilting Screen for Flexible Shooting	No	Yes
Built-in Wireless and Remote Smartphone Control for Better Connectivity	Yes	Yes
External Flash Shoe for Flash Photography	No	No
Environmental Sealing for Protection in Harsh Environments	No	No
Dimensions	98 x 58 x 31 mm	102 x 58 x 41 mm
Weight	206g	298g

At A Glance – Where the Canon PowerShot G9 Mark II trumps the Sony RX 100IV

Advantages	Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II	Sony RX100 IV
Timelapse recording for creative photography	Yes	Only with an optional app
Touchscreen for ease of use	Yes	No
Optical zoom for more flexible coverage	x3.0	x2.9
Bluetooth-enabled for better connectivity	Yes	No
Lighter in weight	206g	298g

At A Glance – Where the Sony RX 100 IV trumps the Canon PowerShotG9 Mark II

Advantages	Sony RX100 IV	Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II
Electronic viewfinder for better image framing and control	Yes	No
Tilting LCD screen for flexible shooting	Yes	No
Faster continuous shooting	16fps	8fps
Longer battery life	280 shots	235 shots
Selfie-friendly LCD screen	Yes	No

Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II vs. Sony RX100 IV – Brand And Product Comparison

Canon and Sony are among the most recognized camera brands worldwide. Every photographer has used either brand’s products at least once.

Canon was established in 1933 as an optical production company, manufacturing its first camera in 1934. Since then, the company has been consistently creating excellent cameras.

It produces light-weight fixed lens compact cameras, revolutionary mirrorless cameras, and state-of-the-art DSLR cameras. Whether you have $100 or $5,000+ in your pocket, Canon has a camera for you.

Sony, on the other hand, was founded in 1946, and has manufactured various electronic products ever since. It presently is one of the leading companies in this industry along with the entertainment market.

The first digital camera, the Mavica, was produced in 1988. The company didn’t make any other camera until 1996 when the Cyber-Shot series was first released.

Sony manufactures all kinds of cameras retailing from $100 up to $6,000. The company, however, doesn’t boast a wide variety of mirrorless and DSLR cameras like Canon, but still makes some of the most excellent high-action cameras. Their superb image stabilization feature (DSC) ascertains that all shots snapped are clear, sharp, and crystal, regardless of the scene.

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Final Thoughts

Excellent camera gear is vital for any photographer worth their salt. When shopping for one, pay extra attention to the camera lens quality, ergonomics, weather sealing, ISO number, mode range, size, and price. Most importantly, purchase a camera that suits your specific needs. If you need more help, check our ultimate guide to buying a camera right here.

So, between the Canon G9 vs Sony RX100, which camera is the best? For us, both the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC RX 100 IV and Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II are remarkable and affordable cameras. They both offer fantastic functionality, but if we must pick a winner, it would have to be the Sony RX 100 IV for its superior features. These include its electronic viewfinder, longer battery life, selfie-friendly LCD screen, and higher video resolution.

Which digital camera will you choose? Let us know in the comments should you get yourself one of these high-quality compact cameras. We’d love to hear about your experiences!