Canon PowerShot G9 X review – Performance

In good light, the G9 X is capable of attractive images with strong, punch colour
In good light, the G9 X is capable of attractive images with strong, punch colour
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In use, the G9 X generally works quite well. Its metering is particularly impressive, rarely requiring any adjustment aside from for pictorial effect, and auto white balance tends to give the right answer most of the time too. In fact, it’s very good as a ‘point-and-shoot’ camera.

As we’ve come to expect the 20-million-pixel sensor delivers excellent detail at low ISOs, and gives attractive images at sensitivities up to ISO 1600 at least. This is fortunate, as the slow lens means that you’ll find yourself using high ISOs more often. As for the lens itself, it’s pretty sharp at the telephoto end, and not at all bad in the middle of its range. But it’s noticeably less good at wideangle, with somewhat soft corners that don’t improver all that much on stopping down.

With its 1in sensor, the G9 X gives good results at sensitivities up ISO 3,200, which was used here
With its 1in sensor, the G9 X gives good results at sensitivities up ISO 3,200, which was used here
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Canon’s JPEG output is bright and colourful, and while this is great in dull conditions, occasionally it can look a little over the top. High ISO noise reduction can also be over-enthusiastic and smear fine detail. Sadly, while Canon gives useful control over JPEG processing, you have to accept the camera’s default options if you also want to shoot raw. This also means that it’s not possible to set the camera to black & white and shoot raw at the same time, which feels like an arbitrary, anachronistic restriction.

Score

Score in detail

  • Features 70
  • Build/Handling 70
  • Metering 90
  • Autofocus 70
  • AWB colour 90
  • Dynamic Range 80
  • Image Quality 80
  • LCD Viewfinder 80
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