Canon Powershot G9 X Mark II Review

The Canon Powershot G9 X Mark II offers a 3x optical zoom lens, a 20.2 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, a 3inch touch-screen, and manual controls, whilst being compact and offering built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC. The G9 X Mark II updates the G9 X (Mark I), and features the same control ring around the lens, but adds bluetooth, a new image processor and faster continuous shooting.

Canon Powershot G9 X Mark II Features

The Canon Powershot G9 X Mark II features a 3x optical zoom lens that is equivalent to 28mm to 84mm in 35mm equivalent terms, and relatively bright at the wide-angle end with an f/2.0 aperture, which goes does to f/4.9 when using the full zoom. Optical image stabilisation is built into the lens, to help keep images steady in low-light, as well as help keep video stable. 

Updated in the G9 X Mark II (over the G9 X):

• Faster continuous shooting (8.2fps)
• Built-in bluetooth
• New image processor
• Slightly improved battery life

The Canon Powershot G9 X Mark II is one of the smallest cameras available with a 1inch BSI CMOS sensor (excluding the Panasonic Lumix CM1), meaning the camera will easily fit into trouser pockets or a small handbag. The metal bodied camera has a premium feel and design, with a metal mode dial, and a metal control ring around the lens. 

With full manual controls as well as numerous scene modes (including HDR mode), creative effects, and auto modes the camera is easy to use for beginners as well as more advanced photographers. Raw shooting is included as well, and the camera will shoot at up to 8.2fps when shooting JPEG or raw images. 

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC connectivity are built in, letting you control the camera from your smartphone or tablet, with the Canon Camera Connect app. You can also transfer images, and add GPS location information to photos.  

FullHD video recording is possible at 50/25fps (60/30fps NTSC), with stereo sound, optical zoom, and manual controls. You can also use the touch screen to set the focus position whilst recording. 

Key Features

• 20.1 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor
• 3x optical zoom lens, f/2-4.9 aperture
• Optical image stabilisation 
• 3inch touch-screen, 1040K dots
• Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth
• FullHD video recording with stereo sound
• ISO125 to ISO12800
• 5cm macro focus
• Auto ND filter
• 8.2fps continuous shooting
• Available in black or silver
• USB Charging

Canon Powershot G9 X Mark II Handling

The Canon Powershot G9 X Mark II looks almost identical to the previous version, the G9 X, although there are a few minor changes, including an updated mode dial. The "Creative shot" mode has been removed from the mode dial, and this was used to create random effects when shooting images. You can still access digital filters and effects in the Scene mode.

The camera has the same great build quality as the G9 X, with a metal body, and metal dials. There is a leather effect on the grips of the camera, however they are made of tough plastic, which is a shame, as it would have been nice if they had a soft touch. Due to the small size of the camera, and lack or grip, we'd recommend use of the provided strap.

There aren't many buttons on the back of the camera, with just four, including a video button, a Q / set button, a Menu button and an Info button. Most settings are changed using the touch-screen, although you can also use the front control wheel that surrounds the lens. 

Using the Q button to bring up the Quick settings on screen makes it easy to change common settings, and to get to more advanced settings, you simply press the menu button and use the touch-screen to make changes. The touch-screen is very clear and bright, as well as being very responsive to touch making it quick and easy to make changes. The layout of the menus and options available will be familiar to anyone who's used other Canon cameras recently, whether you're used to Canon's compact cameras or DSLRs...

Wi-Fi features - With built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC connectivity you can quite quickly and easily setup a connection to a compatible smartphone, with iOS and Android apps available. On the left of the camera is a Wi-Fi / smartphone connect button which activates the Wi-Fi mode. Using Canon's Camera Connect app you can browse photos, shoot remotely, as well as add GPS location information to photos from the smartphone's GPS data. You can also use the Wi-Fi connectivity to backup photos from the camera wirelessly. The NFC logo is on the bottom of the camera, and the app guides you through the connection process. 

Battery life - Battery life is rated at 235 shots according to Canon / CIPA test results, which can be extended to 355 shots using the ECO mode. If you're happy to use ECO mode, then battery life is good, and the ability to charge using a MicroUSB cable means it should be easy to find somewhere to charge the camera.