The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II and the Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in February 2016 and January 2017. Both the G7X Mark II and the G9X Mark II are fixed lens compact cameras that are equipped with an one-inch sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 20 megapixels.
Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.
Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II and the Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.
Body comparison
An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon G7 X Mark II and the Canon G9 X Mark II is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
The G9X Mark II can be obtained in two different colors [black, silver], while the G7X Mark II is only available in black.
If the front view area [width x height] of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon G9 X Mark II is notably smaller [12 percent] than the Canon G7 X Mark II. Moreover, the G9X Mark II is substantially lighter [35 percent] than the G7X Mark II. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the G7X Mark II nor the G9X Mark II are weather-sealed.
The battery packs of both cameras can be charged via USB, which can be very convenient when travelling.
The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.
Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The G9X Mark II was launched at a somewhat lower price [by 24 percent] than the G7X Mark II, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.
Sensor comparison
The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider , and richer than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.
Both cameras under consideration feature an one-inch sensor and have a format factor [sometimes also referred to as "crop factor"] of 2.7. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio [sensor width to sensor height] of 3:2.
The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 20 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the G7X Mark II and the G9X Mark II have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the G9X Mark II is a somewhat more recent model [by 10 months] than the G7X Mark II, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time.
The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II has a native sensitivity range from ISO 125 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 125-25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II are ISO 125 to ISO 12800 [no boost].
Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with BSI-CMOS [Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor] sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.
For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ["DXO Landscape"], color depth ["DXO Portrait"], and low-light sensitivity ["DXO Sports"]. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.
Sensor Characteristics # Camera Model Sensor Class Resolution [MP] Horiz. Pixels Vert. Pixels Video Format DXO Portrait DXO Landscape DXO Sports DXO Overall 1. Canon G7 X Mark II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p21.811.9260622. Canon G9 X Mark II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p21.912.5522653. Canon G7 X Mark III 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.212.4583654. Canon M100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.512.91272785. Canon SL2 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.41041796. Canon G5 X 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p21.412.3471627. Canon G9 X 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p21.512.3495638. Canon M3 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.811.81169729. Canon G7 X 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p23.012.75567110. Panasonic LX10 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.812.55817011. Sony RX100 V 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.812.45867012. Sony RX100 IV 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.812.65917013. Sony RX100 III 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.412.34956714. Sony RX100 II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.512.448367 Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, and both provide the same movie specifications [1080/60p].
Feature comparison
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The G7X Mark II and the G9X Mark II are similar in the sense that neither of the two has a viewfinder. The images are, thus, framed using live view on the rear LCD. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon G7 X Mark II, the Canon G9 X Mark II, and comparable cameras.
Core Features # Camera Model Viewfinder [Type or 000 dots] Control Panel [yes/no] LCD Specifications [inch/000 dots] LCD Attach- ment Touch Screen [yes/no] Max Shutter Speed * Max Shutter Flaps * Built-in Flash [yes/no] Built-in Image Stab 1. Canon G7 X Mark IInone n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 8.0/s Y Y 2. Canon G9 X Mark IInone n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/2000s 8.2/s Y Y 3. Canon G7 X Mark IIInone n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 30/s Y Y 4. Canon M100none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.1/s Y n 5. Canon SL2optical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n 6. Canon G5 X2360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/2000s 5.9/s Y Y 7. Canon G9 Xnone n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/2000s 6.0/s Y Y 8. Canon M3optional n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 4.2/s Y n 9. Canon G7 Xnone n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 6.5/s Y Y 10. Panasonic LX10none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s Y Y 11. Sony RX100 V2359 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/2000s 24.0/s Y Y 12. Sony RX100 IV2359 n3.0 / 1228 tilting n 1/2000s 16.0/s Y Y 13. Sony RX100 III1440 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y 14. Sony RX100 IIoptional n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y Note: *] Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
The G7X Mark II has an articulated LCD that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in snapping selfies. In contrast, the G9X Mark II does not have a selfie-screen.
The Canon G7 X Mark II and the Canon G9 X Mark II both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.
Both the G7X Mark II and the G9X Mark II have zoom lenses built in. The G7X Mark II has a 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 optic and the G9X Mark II offers a 28-84mm f/2.0-4.9 [focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms]. Hence, the G7X Mark II provides a wider angle of view at the short end, as well as more tele-photo reach at the long end than the G9X Mark II. The G7X Mark II offers the faster maximum aperture.
Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the G7X Mark II and the G9X Mark II write their files to SDXC cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.
Connectivity comparison
For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II and Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras [and selected comparators] provide for accessory control and data transfer.
Input-Output Connections # Camera Model Hotshoe Port Internal Mic / Speaker Microphone Port Headphone Port HDMI Port USB Port WiFi Support NFC Support Bluetooth Support 1. Canon G7 X Mark II-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY- 2. Canon G9 X Mark II-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY 3. Canon G7 X Mark III-stereo / monoY-micro3.1Y-Y 4. Canon M100-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY 5. Canon SL2Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY 6. Canon G5 XYstereo / mono--mini2.0YY- 7. Canon G9 X-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY- 8. Canon M3Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YY- 9. Canon G7 X-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY- 10. Panasonic LX10-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y-- 11. Sony RX100 V-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY- 12. Sony RX100 IV-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY- 13. Sony RX100 III-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY- 14. Sony RX100 IIYstereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
Both the G7X Mark II and the G9X Mark II have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The G7X Mark II was replaced by the Canon G7 X Mark III, while the G9X Mark II does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the G7X Mark II and G9X Mark II can be found, respectively, in the Canon G7 X Mark II Manual [free pdf] or the online Canon G9 X Mark II Manual.
Review summary
So how do things add up? Is the Canon G7 X Mark II better than the Canon G9 X Mark II or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.
Reasons to prefer the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II:
- More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
- More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
- Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture [f/1.8 vs f/2.0].
- Wider view: Has a wider-angle lens that facilitates landscape or interior shots.
- More tele-reach: Has a longer tele-lens for perspective compression and subject magnification.
- Longer lasting: Can take more shots [265 versus 235] on a single battery charge.
- More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer [launched in February 2016].
Arguments in favor of the Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II:
- More compact: Is smaller [98x58mm vs 106x61mm] and will fit more readily into a bag.
- Less heavy: Has a lower weight [by 113g or 35 percent] and is thus easier to take along.
- Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
- More affordable: Was released into a lower priced segment [24 percent cheaper at launch].
- More modern: Was introduced somewhat [10 months] more recently.
If the number of relative strengths [bullet points above] is taken as a guide, the G7X Mark II emerges as the winner of the contest [7 : 5 points]. However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.
G7X Mark II 07:05 G9X Mark II
How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon G7 X Mark II and the Canon G9 X Mark II place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Travel-Zoom Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.
In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the G7X Mark II or the G9X Mark II. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.
Expert reviews
This is why expert reviews are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites [amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]]. As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.
The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.
Other camera comparisons
Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.
- Canon 400D vs Canon G9 X Mark II
- Canon 60D vs Canon G7 X Mark II
- Canon G7 X Mark II vs Leica D-LUX 7
- Canon G7 X Mark II vs Panasonic FZ1000 II
- Canon G7 X Mark II vs Panasonic G80
- Canon G7 X Mark II vs Panasonic GF2
- Canon G7 X Mark II vs Panasonic TZ95
- Canon G9 X Mark II vs Kodak S-1
- Canon G9 X Mark II vs Nikon D5600
- Canon G9 X Mark II vs Nikon D750
- Canon G9 X Mark II vs Sony RX1
- Canon G9 X vs Canon G9 X Mark II
Specifications: Canon G7 X Mark II vs Canon G9 X Mark II
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.