Canon G9x Vs G7x Mark II: My Thoughts - Digital Photography Review

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Easy Lee • Regular Member • Posts: 128 Canon G9x vs G7x Mark II: my thoughts Nov 4, 2018 7

I've done some extensive testing recently with these two compact cameras and I thought I'd share my findings in case anyone is unsure about which one of these to get.

I previously had the S110 which I was using mainly for traveling and hiking. I wanted an upgrade in image quality and was debating whether to get the g7x or g9x line. In the end, I opted for the G7x II because of the faster lens and because I prefer manual controls to touch screens.

Though I was pretty satisfied with image quality, I never really got to love the G7x - it just felt too bulky in my pocket or my backpack's hip belt. So when I recently had the opportunity to buy a used G9x very cheap I thought I'd give it a try. Here's what I've found:

• The G9x actually delivered better, more realistic colors in auto wb mode in sunny and cloudy conditions as well as indoors. The G7x II had a clear magenta tint in all conditions. (My computer screen is sRGB calibrated, so it should display colors accurately.) In the G7x, I had to manually adjust WB (green +2, amber +1) to get accurate colors.
• The G7x II is a bit more detailed, especially at the edges, but I only notice it when looking at pictures in full resolution. So I guess it matters only if you want to enlarge a small patch of the image or if you want to make a large print.
• That said, I find that both cameras are not very sharp/detailed. Certainly good enough for web galleries or small prints, but not necessarily for large prints.
• In the standard picture style, I found that the G7x somehow altered the color of blue skies - it makes them more intense and turquoise than they really are. That's why I only use the camera in neutral style.
• Both cameras are very good in terms of exposure. Unlike with my old S110, there are no more bleached out bright patches or skies anymore. The G7x II tends to underexpose images, at least in neutral mode.
• Shallow depth of field can only be obtained with the G7x, thanks to its fast lens. But even with the G7x you get nowhere near the kind of blurred backgrounds you can get with a full format image sensor.

My personal conclusion is that for what I intend to use this camera for - a point and shoot travel camera - I am better off with the G9x. Its image quality is virtually the same, white balance and exposure is even better, and it is truly pocketable. I might miss the low aperture of the G7x at higher focal lengths in some situations, but for a really professional looking portrait you need a bigger camera anyway.

Easy Lee's gear list:Easy Lee's gear list Fujifilm X100F Sony a7 III Canon G7 X II Canon G9 X Canon PowerShot G7 X Canon PowerShot S110 If you believe there are incorrect tags, please send us this post using our feedback form. Reply to thread Reply with quote Complain Blasst • Regular Member • Posts: 147 Re: Canon G9x vs G7x Mark II: my thoughts In reply to Easy Lee • Nov 5, 2018

Easy Lee,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on these cameras, as I have had a Canon S110, and have been looking at several cameras to replace it.

Blasst's gear list:Blasst's gear list Samsung NX1 Reply Reply with quote Reply to thread Complain rita416 • Regular Member • Posts: 422 Re: Canon G9x vs G7x Mark II: my thoughts In reply to Easy Lee • Nov 5, 2018

I just got the G9x M2 (gave G9x to my grandson and bought the G7x M2), and you are so right about the G9x colors!  Besides some Fujis I owned a decade ago (F31), the G9x had the best color rendition of any cam I ever owned.

The bulk of the G7x M2 kept me from carrying it everywhere in my purse, so I bought the G9x M2 and it addressed some things in the G9x, but the colors are not as true as the first little gem.

There is a fun factor I get out of the G9x/G9x M2 that's hard to explain.

I enjoyed your thoughts, and I am glad you are enjoying your cam!

Rita

rita416's gear list:rita416's gear list Canon G7 X II Canon G9 X II Reply Reply with quote Reply to thread Complain OP Easy Lee • Regular Member • Posts: 128 Re: Canon G9x vs G7x Mark II: my thoughts In reply to rita416 • Nov 6, 2018

That's interesting what you are saying, but it could make sense. The G7x II and the G9x II have the exact same image tweaking options ("picture styles") whereas the G9x has somewhat less options that work differently ("My Colors"). So I guess internal image processing is very similar or identical in the G7x II and G9x II.

Easy Lee's gear list:Easy Lee's gear list Fujifilm X100F Sony a7 III Reply Reply with quote Reply to thread Complain OP Easy Lee • Regular Member • Posts: 128 Re: Canon G9x vs G7x Mark II: my thoughts In reply to Blasst • Nov 6, 2018

The G9x or G9x II are definitely worthy upgrades for the S110. As I said, I notice the difference mostly in the increased dynamic range. I can take high contrast shots without either the sky being completely washed out or the darker areas being completely black. That makes the images much more professional looking.

Obviously, there's also the improved video mode. But to be honest, I haven't even shot one video with the G9x yet ...

Easy Lee's gear list:Easy Lee's gear list Fujifilm X100F Sony a7 III Reply Reply with quote Reply to thread Complain CMCM • Veteran Member • Posts: 6,107 Re: Canon G9x vs G7x Mark II: my thoughts In reply to Easy Lee • Nov 6, 2018

Interesting comments.  After a lot of debate between models, I replaced my S95 (that's a couple before the S110)  with a G7XII, which I'm fairly happy with (wish it had a viewfinder, though).  I've found the image quality to be excellent, it's great in low light interiors,  and the size is pretty small.  I thought about the G9XII, but I wanted a faster lens and a better zoom range.

CMCM's gear list:CMCM's gear list Fujifilm X30 Nikon D500 Nikon Coolpix P950 Nikon D700 Nikon D5600 +17 more Reply Reply with quote Reply to thread Complain

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