• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 84.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon S90 advantages over Canon G9X

  • More telephoto lens reach
    105 mm vs 84 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Canon G9X advantages over Canon S90

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.41 vs 2.08 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Higher effective ISO
    495 vs 185 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.3 vs 11.0 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/500 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    8 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.29 vs 0.43 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.5 fps vs 0.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon G9X

Review Excerpt

  • Smallest 1-inch sensor camera available; Slips in a pants pocket almost unnoticed; Bright lens at wide-angle; Great image quality; Swift 6.5 fps JPEG burst shooting; Intuitive touch-screen control; In-camera Wi-Fi gets images onto your phone easily

  • Limited 3x zoom range; Tighter wide-angle than competitors; JPEG buffer limited to 10 frames; very slow bracketing / raw burst shooting; Touch-screen menus take lots of tapping; Poor battery life

The Competition

Compared to Canon S95

Canon S90
Canon S95
  • $430
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Less shutter lag
  • $428
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 24p video
Canon G9X
Canon S95
  • $369
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $428
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Shoots 24p video

Compared to Canon S100

Canon S90
Canon S100
  • $430
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
Canon G9X
Canon S100
  • $369
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Canon S110

Canon S90
Canon S110
  • $430
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $249
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Canon G9X
Canon S110
  • $369
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $249
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Shoots 24p video

Compared to Panasonic LF1

Canon S90
Panasonic LF1
  • $430
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $248
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
Canon G9X
Panasonic LF1
  • $369
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $248
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Canon G9X Mark II

Canon S90
Canon G9X Mark II
  • $430
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $449
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon G9X
Canon G9X Mark II
  • $369
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $449
  • 1 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Compare Other Cameras?