• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 84.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot G15
  • Canon PowerShot G9 X
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Canon G12
G12 vs G15 		 
Successor: Canon G16
G15 vs G16 		Canon G9X Mark II
G9X vs G9X Mark II
General
Model Number: G15 G9X
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Mid-Sized Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $499.99 $529.99
Street Price: $649.95 $369.00
Date Available: 2012-10-15 2015-11-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 12.3 oz (350 g)
includes batteries 		7.3 oz (206 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.2 x 3.0 x 1.6 in.
(107 x 76 x 40 mm) 		3.9 x 2.3 x 1.2 in.
(98 x 58 x 31 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 20.2
Sensor Format: 1/1.7 inch 1 inch
Sensor size: 43.32mm2 (7.6mm x 5.7mm) 116.16mm2 (13.20mm x 8.80mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.90 microns 2.41 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a 2.7x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:   Fixed
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 46 63
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 19.9 21.5
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.5 12.3
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 165 495
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 2664 (10.7 MP, 3:2),
4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1),
2816 x 2112 (5.9 MP, 4:3),
2816 x 1880 (5.3 MP, 3:2),
2816 x 1584 (4.5 MP, 16:9),
2112 x 2112 (4.5 MP, 1:1),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2),
1200 x 1200 (1.4 MP, 1:1),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
640 x 360 (0.2 MP, 16:9) 		5472 x 3648 (20.0 MP, 3:2),
4320 x 2880 (12.4 MP, 3:2),
2304 x 1536 (3.5 MP, 3:2),
720 x 480 (0.3 MP, 3:2),
5472 x 3080 (16.9 MP, 16:9),
4320 x 2432 (10.5 MP, 16:9),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
720 x 408 (0.3 MP, Other),
4864 x 3648 (17.7 MP, 4:3),
3840 x 2880 (11.1 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
3648 x 3648 (13.3 MP, 1:1),
2880 x 2880 (8.3 MP, 1:1),
1536 x 1536 (2.4 MP, 1:1),
480 x 480 (0.2 MP, 1:1),
2912 x 3648 (10.6 MP, Other),
2304 x 2880 (6.6 MP, Other),
1232 x 1536 (1.9 MP, Other),
384 x 480 (0.2 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2), 12-bit RAW (.CR2), RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.3), 14-bit RAW (.CR2), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 10.2 6.5
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (24)
1280x720 (30)
640x480 (30) 		1920x1080 (60p/​30p)
1280x720 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
1920x1080 (30p/​15p)
1280x720 (6p/​3p/​1.5p)
640x480 (6p/​3p/​1.5p)
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: Stereo PCM) MP4 (Image: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264; Audio: MPEG-4 AAC-LC (Stereo))
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens Canon Zoom Lens; 8 elements in 6 groups (2 double sided aspherical UA lens, 1 single sided aspherical lens)
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 140mm 28 - 84mm
Focal Length (actual): 6.1 - 30.5mm 10.2 - 30.6mm
Zoom Ratio: 5.00x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/1.8 (W) / f/2.8 (T) - f/8.0 f/2.0 (W) / f4.9 (T) - f/11, built-in 3-stop ND filter
Integrated ND Filter: Yes Yes
Normal Focus Range: 5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity 		5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 1 - 50 cm
0.4 - 19.7 in 		5 - 50 cm
2.0 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: 58.0mm n/a
Thread Type: Via optional lens adapter n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection; 9-point AiAF, 1-point (center for face select and track) Contrast Detection: AiAF (31-point, Face Detection or Touch AF with Object and Face Select and Track), 1-point AF (any position is available or fixed center)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: Real-image optical zoom; Picture coverage: approx. 80%; Eyepoint: 15mm; Dioptic Adjustment Range: -3.0 - +1.0m  
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 922,000 dots (307,200 px) 1,040,000 dots (345,600 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 12800
Minimum ISO (native): 80 125
ISO Settings: Auto, ISO 80 to 12800 Auto, ISO 125-12800 in 1/3 EV steps
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom 1/2, Underwater Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Underwater, Custom 1, Custom 2, Multi-area White Balance, White Balance Correction (Underwater mode), White Balance Correction
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 15 sec 1/2000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: No Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot; Face Detect AE Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot (linked to AF frame), Face Detect AE
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Scene modes (Portrait, Smooth Skin, Smart Shutter, High-Speed Burst HQ, Handheld NightScene, Underwater, Snow, Fireworks, Stitch Assist), Creative Filters (High Dynamic Range, Nostalgic, Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Soft Focus, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Color Accent, Color Swap) Custom, Hybrid Auto, Creative Shot, SCN (Portrait, Star (Star Nightscape, Star Trails, Star Portrait, Star Time-Lapse Movie), Handheld Night Scene, Fireworks, High Dynamic Range, Nostalgic, Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Background Defocus, Soft Focus, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect), Standard Movie, Short Clip, Manual Movie, iFrame Movie
Self Timer: 1 - 30 seconds 1 - 30 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Auto w/Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On w/Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; FE lock, Safety FE, Slow Synchro, Second-curtain synchro Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 1.6 ft.-23 ft./50 cm-7 m (W), 1.6-15 ft./50cm-4.5m (T) 50 cm - 6.0 m (W) / 50 cm - 2.4 m (T)
Max Flash Sync: 1/2000 1/2000
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot-Shoe n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit RAW (.CR2), RAW+JPEG 14-bit RAW (.CR2), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: Stereo PCM) MP4 (Image: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264; Audio: MPEG-4 AAC-LC (Stereo))
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No Yes
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Wired Via Wi-Fi
Connections (extended): Combined USB/AV, Mini (Type-C) HDMI, Remote Terminal Micro HDMI (Type D)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 2.07 0.88
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 2.83  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 2.91 1.63
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 10.2 6.5
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 10 10
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 1.2 0.8
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 20 Unlimited
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 1.0 0.6
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 5 Unlimited
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.46 seconds 0.29 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.46 seconds 0.29 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.454 seconds 0.374 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.71 seconds 0.72 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.073 seconds 0.066 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 2.2 seconds 2.3 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 1.7 seconds 1.9 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.0 seconds 6.7 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 350 shots 220 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 770 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-10L Proprietary NB-13L
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-10L Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NB-13L Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No Yes
Software
Included Software: Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM  
OS Compatibility: Windows XP SP3/Vista/7, Mac OS  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Fast f/1.8(W)-f/2.8(T) lens, DIGIC 5 processor, Intelligent Image Stabilization, improved AF performance, 10 fps High-Speed Burst mode, Full HD 1080p24 video, 58 scene Smart Auto, supports conversion lenses. Available in black or silver.