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Canon g9x mk ii or Sony rx100 mk 1

Started Jun 17, 2020 | Discussions
Corot2 Senior Member • Posts: 1,697
Canon g9x mk ii or Sony rx100 mk 1

I am looking for a totally pocketable  camera to have with me all the time. I own the Fuji x100f for street and other cameras for more extensive work

For totally pocketable camera that I will always have before me these two cameras are some what similar

Does anyone have both  or a later sony version and have any comments

I am leaning towards the canon:

Small and even a little more pocketable

Better menu system

Seems like image quality is very comparable

Video I do not care about

Thanks for any thoughts

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Canon G9 X Fujifilm X100F Sony RX100
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Sue Anne Rush
Sue Anne Rush Senior Member • Posts: 6,285
Re: Canon g9x mk ii or Sony rx100 mk 1

Both are excellent .......................... because I am a Canon user..................... I'd get the Canon g9x mk ii   :))

lou Capeloto wrote:

I am looking for a totally pocketable camera to have with me all the time. I own the Fuji x100f for street and other cameras for more extensive work

For totally pocketable camera that I will always have before me these two cameras are some what similar

Does anyone have both or a later sony version and have any comments

I am leaning towards the canon:

Small and even a little more pocketable

Better menu system

Seems like image quality is very comparable

Video I do not care about

Thanks for any thoughts

 Sue Anne Rush's gear list:Sue Anne Rush's gear list
Canon PowerShot G9 Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ1000 II Canon PowerShot Zoom Canon EOS 7D Canon EOS Rebel T7 +4 more
arrow501 Senior Member • Posts: 1,030
Re: Canon g9x mk ii or Sony rx100 mk 1

When faced with this decision last year I opted for the RX100 but I regret buying it now. I'm not happy with the Sony's jpeg colours, nor am I happy with it's auto white balance and metering. The metering and auto white balance aren't terrible, they just aren't as reliable as the Canon PowerShots I own. I am happy with the image quality and the menus are fine, I just can't get used to the colours.

The main thing that's keeping me from selling the RX100 and getting a G9X is that I sometimes shoot it one handed and I don't think I'd be able to do that with the touchscreen focused controls of the G9X. I'd miss being able to bounce the flash too. The smaller minimum focus distance at maximum zoom of the G9X would be nice to have though. Decisions decisions

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Canon PowerShot SX240 HS Sony RX100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
OP Corot2 Senior Member • Posts: 1,697
Re: Canon g9x mk ii or Sony rx100 mk 1

That is a great help thank you

I want something that goes totally in my pocket easily to take everywhere so am leaning towards the canon

I have a couple other cameras for everything else

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arrow501 Senior Member • Posts: 1,030
Re: Canon g9x mk ii or Sony rx100 mk 1

lou Capeloto wrote:

That is a great help thank you

I want something that goes totally in my pocket easily to take everywhere so am leaning towards the canon

I have a couple other cameras for everything else

You're welcome. Good luck. I hope you're happy with whichever camera you choose.

 arrow501's gear list:arrow501's gear list
Canon PowerShot SX240 HS Sony RX100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
OP Corot2 Senior Member • Posts: 1,697
Re: Canon g9x mk ii or Sony rx100 mk 1

I think I will go with the g9x mk 11 very good cameras both

My understanding you can push the shutter release half way to autofocus like any digital camera and the ring around the lens can be used for shutter speed and aperture control

I also prefer not to use the touch screen but my understanding it is not necessary

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(unknown member) Senior Member • Posts: 1,455
Re: Canon g9x mk ii or Sony rx100 mk 1

lou Capeloto wrote:

I think I will go with the g9x mk 11 very good cameras both

My understanding you can push the shutter release half way to autofocus like any digital camera and the ring around the lens can be used for shutter speed and aperture control

I also prefer not to use the touch screen but my understanding it is not necessary

The G9X is primarily designed for touch screen operation so buying one for use without it will not make easy work. I would not recommend it. It is easy to operate with the touch screen. but for manual operation buy the G7X.

The Rx100 I has little stabilisation which has been work in progress for Sony.

Comparing the latest Canon with the first generation 1" camera seems an odd choice. The Mk III RX100 seems a a popular choice when the camera range matured in to a more practical implementation without having to spending too much.

They have not brought out 5 improvements of the original RX100 short zoom version for no reason so be careful.

NAwlins Contrarian Veteran Member • Posts: 7,963
Somewhat odd comparison, but ...

Canon g9x mk ii or Sony rx100 mk 1

I am looking for a totally pocketable camera to have with me all the time....

For totally pocketable camera that I will always have before me these two cameras are some what similar

Does anyone have both or a later sony version and have any comments

I am leaning towards the canon:

Small and even a little more pocketable

Better menu system

Seems like image quality is very comparable

Video I do not care about

The original ('Mk. I') RX100 is from 2012, and the G9X Mk. II is from 2017, which is a pretty substantial difference; in that sense it's not a very fair comparison. I guess you are looking at these two models because of the similar prices ($398 for the Sony and $429 for the Canon). My first thought is: IMO, instead of the original RX100 for $398, consider the Sony RX100 Mk. III for $598--IMO it's a better value--or look at a used but newer-version RX100 (e.g., RX100 Mk. IV from the very-reputable KEH, currently for $361 or $465, https://www.keh.com/shop/sony-cyber-shot-dsc-rx100-iv-digital-camera-20-m-p.html).

I've used an original RX100, and while it performs well and can deliver very good image (and video) quality, the overall user experience is IMO much better on my Canon S120. Do not underestimate the usefulness of the touchscreen on the G9X Mk. II, which the RX100-series did not get until the Mk. VI.

On the other hand, the RX100 Mk. III and newer have a usable viewfinder, which the G9X Mk. II lacks. There are uses and situations where I really like a viewfinder; that's my biggest limitation with the S120 (well, that and its auto-focus system).

 NAwlins Contrarian's gear list:NAwlins Contrarian's gear list
Nikon Coolpix S30 Canon PowerShot S120 Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 Tamron SP AF 90mm F/2.8 Di Macro Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di USD +5 more
(unknown member) Senior Member • Posts: 1,455
Re: Somewhat odd comparison, but ...

NAwlins Contrarian wrote:

Canon g9x mk ii or Sony rx100 mk 1

I am looking for a totally pocketable camera to have with me all the time....

For totally pocketable camera that I will always have before me these two cameras are some what similar

Does anyone have both or a later sony version and have any comments

I am leaning towards the canon:

Small and even a little more pocketable

Better menu system

Seems like image quality is very comparable

Video I do not care about

The original ('Mk. I') RX100 is from 2012, and the G9X Mk. II is from 2017, which is a pretty substantial difference; in that sense it's not a very fair comparison. I guess you are looking at these two models because of the similar prices ($398 for the Sony and $429 for the Canon). My first thought is: IMO, instead of the original RX100 for $398, consider the Sony RX100 Mk. III for $598--IMO it's a better value--or look at a used but newer-version RX100 (e.g., RX100 Mk. IV from the very-reputable KEH, currently for $361 or $465, https://www.keh.com/shop/sony-cyber-shot-dsc-rx100-iv-digital-camera-20-m-p.html).

I've used an original RX100, and while it performs well and can deliver very good image (and video) quality, the overall user experience is IMO much better on my Canon S120. Do not underestimate the usefulness of the touchscreen on the G9X Mk. II, which the RX100-series did not get until the Mk. VI.

And then purely for touch AF with Sony.

On the other hand, the RX100 Mk. III and newer have a usable viewfinder, which the G9X Mk. II lacks. There are uses and situations where I really like a viewfinder; that's my biggest limitation with the S120 (well, that and its auto-focus system).

marksee Contributing Member • Posts: 969
Re: Canon g9x mk ii or Sony rx100 mk 1

After a very long study of all pocket sized cameras, I went with the Canon G9X II. Size was most important as I was used to the S100 series, my favorite cameras ever. I wanted a larger sensor so I made the purchase. The good: Love the feel, size and ergonomics and the photo quality is very good. The bad: The touch screen operation slows me down slightly as wheels and buttons are faster. Since size was #1, I sacrificed operation speed. They say the lens is soft. I haven't done any comparisons, but I'm not finding it to be noticeably soft for my needs. Good luck

NAwlins Contrarian Veteran Member • Posts: 7,963
Re: Somewhat odd comparison, but ...

I've used an original RX100, and while it performs well and can deliver very good image (and video) quality, the overall user experience is IMO much better on my Canon S120. Do not underestimate the usefulness of the touchscreen on the G9X Mk. II, which the RX100-series did not get until the Mk. VI.

And then purely for touch AF with Sony.

Sony has been criticized for its limited use of the touchscreen in some of its models that have one, but having it for AF area selection is really what I care about. I realize that others like it for menus etc., but for me, the more traditional buttons, dials, and rockers are fine.

On the other hand, the RX100 Mk. III and newer have a usable viewfinder, which the G9X Mk. II lacks. There are uses and situations where I really like a viewfinder; that's my biggest limitation with the S120 (well, that and its auto-focus system).

 NAwlins Contrarian's gear list:NAwlins Contrarian's gear list
Nikon Coolpix S30 Canon PowerShot S120 Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 Tamron SP AF 90mm F/2.8 Di Macro Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di USD +5 more
OP Corot2 Senior Member • Posts: 1,697
A few test shots
2

Thanks everyone

My initial impressions of the camera are very good

Great for the pocket

I received yesterday

A few test shots (not great shots but meant to show capabilities of the camera)

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