Canon G9 X Mark II vs Sony RX10

The Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in January 2017 and October 2013. Both the G9X Mark II and the RX10 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.

Headline Specifications

Canon G9 X Mark II		Sony RX10
Fixed lens compact camera		Fixed lens compact camera
28-84mm f/2.0-4.9		24-200mm f/2.8
20 MP, 1" Sensor		20 MP, 1" Sensor
1080/60p Video		1080/60p Video
ISO 125-12,800		ISO 125-12,800 (80 - 25,600)
No viewfinder, LCD framing		Electronic viewfinder (1440k dots)
3.0 LCD, 1040k dots		3.0 LCD, 1229k dots
Fixed touchscreen		Tilting screen (not touch-sensitive)
8.2 shutter flaps per second		10 shutter flaps per second
not weather sealed		Weathersealed body
235 shots per battery charge		420 shots per battery charge
98 x 58 x 31 mm, 206 g		129 x 88 x 102 mm, 813 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10? 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

The physical size and weight of the Canon G9 X Mark II and the Sony RX10 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. 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 RX10 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 Sony RX10 is considerably larger (100 percent) than the Canon G9 X Mark II. Moreover, the RX10 is substantially heavier (295 percent) than the G9X Mark II. It is noteworthy in this context that the RX10 is splash and dust-proof, while the G9X Mark II does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

Concerning battery life, the G9X Mark II gets 235 shots out of its NB-13L battery, while the RX10 can take 420 images on a single charge of its NP-FW50 power pack. 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 would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon G9 X Mark II	98 mm	58 mm	31 mm	206 g	235	n	Jan 2017	529
2.		Sony RX10	129 mm	88 mm	102 mm	813 g	420	Y	Oct 2013	1,299
3.		Canon 2000D	129 mm	101 mm	78 mm	475 g	500	n	Feb 2018	449
4.		Canon SX70	127 mm	91 mm	117 mm	608 g	325	n	Sep 2018	549
5.		Canon 77D	131 mm	100 mm	76 mm	540 g	600	n	Feb 2017	899
6.		Canon 200D	122 mm	93 mm	70 mm	453 g	650	n	Jun 2017	549
7.		Canon M100	108 mm	67 mm	35 mm	302 g	295	n	Aug 2017	499
8.		Canon 80D	139 mm	105 mm	79 mm	730 g	960	Y	Feb 2016	1,199
9.		Canon SX620	97 mm	57 mm	28 mm	182 g	295	n	May 2016	279
10.		Canon G9 X	98 mm	58 mm	31 mm	209 g	220	n	Oct 2015	529
11.		Canon 70D	139 mm	104 mm	79 mm	755 g	920	Y	Jul 2013	1,199
12.		Canon S120	100 mm	59 mm	29 mm	217 g	230	n	Aug 2013	449
13.		Nikon D7100	136 mm	107 mm	76 mm	765 g	950	Y	Feb 2013	1,199
14.		Sony HX99	102 mm	58 mm	36 mm	242 g	370	n	Aug 2018	449
15.		Sony HX95	102 mm	58 mm	36 mm	242 g	370	n	Aug 2018	429
16.		Sony RX10 III	133 mm	94 mm	127 mm	1051 g	420	Y	Mar 2016	1,499
17.		Sony RX10 II	129 mm	88 mm	102 mm	813 g	400	Y	Jun 2015	1,299
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The G9X Mark II was launched at a markedly lower price (by 59 percent) than the RX10, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. 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. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth 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 depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies 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 G9X Mark II and the RX10 have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the G9X Mark II is much more recent (by 3 years and 2 months) than the RX10, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time.

The Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II has a native sensitivity range from ISO 125 to ISO 12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 are ISO 125 to ISO 12800, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 80-25600.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. 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"). Of the two cameras under consideration, the RX10 has a markedly higher DXO score than the G9X Mark II (overall score 4 points higher), which will translate into better image quality. The advantage is based on 1 bits higher color depth, 0.1 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.1 stops of reduced low light sensitivity. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar 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 G9 X Mark II	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	21.9	12.5	522	65
2.		Sony RX10	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	22.9	12.6	474	69
3.		Canon 2000D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	22.6	11.9	1009	71
4.		Canon SX70	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
5.		Canon 77D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.6	13.3	971	78
6.		Canon 200D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.6	13.4	1041	79
7.		Canon M100	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.5	12.9	1272	78
8.		Canon 80D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.6	13.2	1135	79
9.		Canon SX620	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/30p	..	..	..	..
10.		Canon G9 X	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	21.5	12.3	495	63
11.		Canon 70D	APS-C	20.0	5472	3648	1080/30p	22.5	11.6	926	68
12.		Canon S120	1/1.7	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	21.3	11.9	246	56
13.		Nikon D7100	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.2	13.7	1256	83
14.		Sony HX99	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
15.		Sony HX95	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
16.		Sony RX10 III	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	23.1	12.6	472	70
17.		Sony RX10 II	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	23.0	12.6	531	70

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, and both provide the same movie specifications (1080/60p).

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the RX10 has an electronic viewfinder (1440k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the G9X Mark II relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon G9 X Mark II, the Sony RX10, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Canon G9 X Mark II	none	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/2000s	8.2	Y	Y
2.		Sony RX10	1440	Y	3.0	1229	tilting	n	1/3200s	10.0	Y	Y
3.		Canon 2000D	optical	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
4.		Canon SX70	2360	n	3.0	922	swivel	n	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y
5.		Canon 77D	optical	Y	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
6.		Canon 200D	optical	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
7.		Canon M100	none	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	6.1	Y	n
8.		Canon 80D	optical	Y	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	7.0	Y	n
9.		Canon SX620	none	n	3.0	922	fixed	n	1/2000s	2.5	Y	Y
10.		Canon G9 X	none	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/2000s	6.0	Y	Y
11.		Canon 70D	optical	Y	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	7.0	Y	n
12.		Canon S120	none	n	3.0	922	fixed	Y	1/2000s	12.1	Y	Y
13.		Nikon D7100	optical	Y	3.2	1229	fixed	n	1/8000s	6.0	Y	n
14.		Sony HX99	638	n	3.0	922	tilting	Y	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y
15.		Sony HX95	638	n	3.0	922	tilting	n	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y
16.		Sony RX10 III	2359	Y	3.0	1229	tilting	n	1/2000s	14.0	Y	Y
17.		Sony RX10 II	2359	Y	3.0	1229	tilting	n	1/3200s	14.0	Y	Y

One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The G9X Mark II has a touchscreen, while the RX10 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

The Canon G9 X Mark II has 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 G9X Mark II and the RX10 have zoom lenses built in. The G9X Mark II has a 28-84mm f/2.0-4.9 optic and the RX10 offers a 24-200mm f/2.8-2.8 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the Sony provides a wider angle of view at the short end, as well as more tele-photo reach at the long end than the Canon. The G9X Mark II offers the faster maximum aperture.

The G9X Mark II writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the RX10 uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo 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 G9 X Mark II and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 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 Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Canon G9 X Mark II	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
2.		Sony RX10	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
3.		Canon 2000D	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
4.		Canon SX70	-	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
5.		Canon 77D	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	Y
6.		Canon 200D	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	Y
7.		Canon M100	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
8.		Canon 80D	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
9.		Canon SX620	-	mono	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
10.		Canon G9 X	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
11.		Canon 70D	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
12.		Canon S120	-	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
13.		Nikon D7100	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	-	-	-
14.		Sony HX99	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
15.		Sony HX95	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
16.		Sony RX10 III	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
17.		Sony RX10 II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-

It is notable that the RX10 has a microphone port, which can help to improve the quality of audio recordings by attaching an external microphone. The G9X Mark II does not feature such a mic input.

The G9X Mark II is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Canon. In contrast, the RX10 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the RX10 was succeeded by the Sony RX10 II. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Canon and Sony websites.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Which of the two cameras – the Canon G9 X Mark II or the Sony RX10 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Arguments in favor of the Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II:

• Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/2.0 vs f/2.8).
• More compact: Is smaller (98x58mm vs 129x88mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 607g or 75 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (59 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 3 years and 2 months of technical progress since the RX10 launch.

Reasons to prefer the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10:

• Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (4 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
• Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
• Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
• Easier framing: Has an electronic viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
• Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1229k vs 1040k dots).
• More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/3200s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 8.2 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• 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: Gets more shots (420 versus 235) out of a single battery charge.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
• More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in October 2013).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the RX10 is the clear winner of the contest (15 : 8 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. 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.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon G9 X Mark II and the Sony RX10 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 specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the G9X Mark II or the RX10. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], 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.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon G9 X Mark II	4/5	..	75/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	529
2.		Sony RX10	5/5	+	80/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2013	1,299
3.		Canon 2000D	..	o	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Feb 2018	449
4.		Canon SX70	..	+ +	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Sep 2018	549
5.		Canon 77D	4.5/5	..	82/100	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2017	899
6.		Canon 200D	4/5	+ +	78/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2017	549
7.		Canon M100	3/5	+	..	4/5	3.5/5	Aug 2017	499
8.		Canon 80D	4/5	+ +	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	1,199
9.		Canon SX620	..	..	..	..	4/5	May 2016	279
10.		Canon G9 X	3.5/5	+ +	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2015	529
11.		Canon 70D	5/5	+ +	83/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jul 2013	1,199
12.		Canon S120	..	+ +	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2013	449
13.		Nikon D7100	5/5	+ +	85/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2013	1,199
14.		Sony HX99	..	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Aug 2018	449
15.		Sony HX95	..	..	..	..	..	Aug 2018	429
16.		Sony RX10 III	5/5	+	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2016	1,499
17.		Sony RX10 II	5/5	+ +	82/100	4.5/5	4/5	Jun 2015	1,299
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make your choice using the following search menu. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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Specifications: Canon G9 X Mark II vs Sony RX10

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.

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