Canon PowerShot G9X Digital Camera, Silver {20.2MP}

Canon G9 X: shirt-pocket size, 1-inch sensor.

The G9 X puts a 20MP, 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor into a body that measures 98 x 58 x 31mm and weighs 209g with battery. That sensor has 2.8 times the surface area of a typical 1/1.7-inch compact, and the f/2 maximum aperture at the wide end works with an ISO range of 125–12800 to give you a real fighting chance in low light. The 28–84mm equivalent lens covers the focal lengths that matter most for everyday shooting, and the built-in 3-stop ND filter keeps exposure in check when you want to shoot wide open in bright conditions.

Control is handled through a 3-inch, 1,040,000-dot touchscreen that lets you tap to reposition the AF point mid-composition, a function that sounds minor until you've used it in practice. The mode dial runs the full range from full Auto through Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual. RAW files are supported, so post-processing latitude is there when you want it. Video tops out at 1080/60p with stereo audio, and manual exposure control carries over into movie mode. Star Time-Lapse, Star Trails, and Star Nightscape modes are built in for basic astrophotography without external software. Wi-Fi with NFC connects to Canon's Camera Connect app for remote shooting with full manual exposure control from your phone.

At this size and sensor combination, the G9 X remains one of the more credible pockets-only shooting tools Canon has built.

Who It's For

Street photographers who refuse to carry a bag will appreciate a 209g body with a 1-inch sensor and f/2 aperture that actually fits in a jacket pocket. Travel shooters benefit from RAW capture and 1080/60p video in a single carry-on-friendly package. Photographers already deep in the Canon ecosystem will find the Camera Connect app's full manual remote control useful for low-angle or tripod work. Anyone experimenting with astrophotography on a budget gets Star Trails and Star Time-Lapse built directly into the mode dial, with no external intervalometer required.

Key Features

• 20MP 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with 2.8x surface area advantage
• f/2 maximum aperture at 28mm, f/4.9 at 84mm equivalent
• Built-in 3-stop ND filter for bright-light shooting and shallow depth of field
• 3-inch 1,040,000-dot touchscreen with tap-to-focus AF repositioning
• ISO 125–12800 with optical image stabilization rated for 3 stops
• RAW and JPEG support; 6fps burst with AF using UHS-I cards
• 1080/60p video with manual exposure control and stereo audio recording
• WiFi with NFC and Camera Connect app; full remote exposure control from smartphone

FAQ

How does the G9X's 1-inch sensor compare to other compact cameras?

The 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor has 2.8 times the surface area of a typical 1/1.7-inch compact, giving it substantially better low-light performance and more control over depth of field. Most competing compacts in this size class use smaller sensors or sacrifice pocketability for larger glass.

Can you shoot RAW files on the G9X?

Yes, RAW shooting is supported alongside JPEG. Be aware that RAW burst performance is limited-you'll get around one frame per 1.16 seconds in continuous RAW mode, but JPEG bursts sustain much higher frame rates with a fast UHS-I card.

What's the autofocus performance like for moving subjects?

The contrast-based AF system works best with larger subjects. Canon recommends Servo AF paired with 1-Point AF for tracking moving subjects, though success depends more on subject size than speed. Face+Tracking mode handles stationary faces reliably even in low light with the AF illuminator.

Does the touchscreen actually make a difference in daily use?

Yes-tapping to reposition the AF point mid-composition is genuinely invaluable once you're used to it, far faster than hunting through menus. The touchscreen also simplifies entering WiFi passwords and copyright info, and enables pull-focus adjustments during video recording.

How effective is the built-in ND filter?

The 3-stop ND filter lets you shoot f/2 in bright daylight without blown highlights, and can be set to engage automatically for stills. For video, you'll need to toggle it manually. It's particularly useful for controlling shutter speed when shooting handheld.

What about the WiFi and smartphone remote control?

WiFi with NFC connects to Canon's Camera Connect app, which now offers full manual exposure control (aperture, shutter, ISO) when remote shooting. Dynamic NFC means you don't even need the camera powered on to initiate pairing with an NFC phone-just hold them together.

Is 220 shots per charge enough for a day of shooting?

The NB-13L battery gets you roughly 220 images per full charge (CIPA rating). For day-long sessions, budget for at least one spare battery, especially if you're using continuous AF, the touchscreen heavily, or capturing video. Movie Digest mode drains the battery faster due to constant buffering.