Canon G9 X Mark II vs Leica X Vario: A Deep Dive into Two Large Sensor Compacts

Large sensor compacts have long held a revered place in the hearts of photographers who crave high image quality tucked inside a pocketable form. When it comes to compact cameras featuring large sensors, two names stand out from very different ends of the spectrum: the approachable, tech-forward Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II and the refined, artisanal Leica X Vario. Over several weeks of hands-on testing - both indoors and out in the wild - I’ve scrutinized these two cameras not just on paper, but in the field across genres ranging from landscape to street to low-light capture. Here we explore their engineering DNA, real world usability, and how each camera might find its way into your photographic workflow.

Designing the Experience: Ergonomics and Handling

Size and handling remain critical when choosing a compact to rely on daily. At just 98 x 58 x 31 mm and weighing 206 grams, the Canon G9 X II is a joy to slip into a jacket pocket or small bag. Its minimalist body is smooth, but the rubberized grip area allows a surprisingly secure hold despite the reduced mass. In contrast, the Leica X Vario, with dimensions of 133 x 73 x 95 mm and a heftier 680 grams, unmistakably commands attention in your hand. This weight and volume result from its APS-C sensor and more traditional, mirrorless-style layout. The X Vario has a robust metal chassis that feels substantial and balanced, yet it is less discreet for street or travel.

Both cameras use fixed lenses, which contributes to their compact form factor, but ergonomics diverge. The Canon’s smooth top plate and back are punctuated with intuitive dials and a touchscreen suited for swift tap focusing or menu navigation. Leica’s control layout is sparser yet more tactile - with dedicated dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation, the tactile feel harks back to classic analog controls, lending an artistic flair to each shoot.

At this size and handling crossroads, I find the Canon G9 X II better suited for spontaneous photography or travelers who prize stealth and speed. Leica's X Vario feels like it demands a deliberate shooting approach, appealing to photographers who savor every manual tweak.

The Heart of Image Quality: Sensor Size and Tech

Image quality is the beating heart of any camera review. Here, the key divergence is sensor size. The Canon G9 X II sports a 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 13.2 x 8.8 mm, while the Leica X Vario boasts a much larger APS-C CMOS sensor at 23.6 x 15.8 mm. The Leica’s sensor area is about three times larger - 372.88 mm² versus the Canon’s 116.16 mm² - fundamentally boosting its performance potential regarding noise control, dynamic range, and depth of field control.

The Canon’s DIGIC 7 processor effectively squeezes excellent detail from its sensor, delivering a native 20MP resolution with acceptable noise levels up to ISO 12800 equivalent boost. However, the Leica’s 16MP APS-C sensor outperforms in color depth (23.4 bits versus 21.9 on the Canon), dynamic range (12.7 stops over 12.5), and low-light ISO performance (usable to ISO 1320 with less noise garbling).

In practical shooting, this means the Leica X Vario can capture richer tonal gradations in shadows and highlights - critical for landscape and portrait work - while the Canon remains solidly competitive but more limited in extreme lighting situations.

Pixel Peeping and Real Life Output: Image Quality and Lens Performance

Resolution wise, the Canon’s 5472 x 3648 images have a strong edge in pixel count over Leica’s 4928 x 3272, but this does not necessarily translate to sharper or more detailed final images. Leica’s lens, a 28-70mm f/3.5-6.4 zoom, is designed for optical excellence and maintaining detail across the frame, particularly wide open at f/3.5. The Canon G9 X II’s 28-84 mm, f/2-4.9 lens, benefits from wider apertures, especially at the short end, encouraging better subject isolation in portraits or low-light.

In side-by-side captures, the Leica’s images stand out for skin tone accuracy and nuanced color fidelity, especially depending on raw processing. Canon’s files are punchier straight from camera and benefit from the DIGIC 7 processor’s noise reduction routines but occasionally feel artificially smoothed, especially at high ISO.

Canon G9 X II front Canon G9 X II screen back Leica X Vario front Leica X Vario screen back

Depth of field control demonstrates a visible difference: the Leica’s APS-C sensor and its lens’s max aperture enable stronger bokeh - smooth, creamy backgrounds that make portraits pop. The Canon's lens is closer in performance to a standard compact but benefits from optical image stabilization to help in less-than-ideal light.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Reliability

The autofocus (AF) system is an often underappreciated differentiator. Canon equipped the G9 X II with contrast-detection AF with face detection and continuous AF tracking, resulting in an 8.2 fps burst rate. It excels at locking onto faces and tracking subjects across moderate movements, performing particularly well in bright daylight and artificial light indoors. The touchscreen AF targeting is intuitive, giving users fast manual overrides.

Leica’s X Vario employs a contrast-detection AF system but lacks continuous AF or tracking modes. Its maximum burst speed is 5 fps. The camera prioritizes precision over speed - often hunting slowly but nailing focus accuracy. Face detection is present but less nimble than Canon’s implementation, lacking touch AF capability.

For wildlife or sports photography, the Canon’s faster AF and frame rate is better suited for action capture, while Leica demands patience and deliberate focus confirmation, favoring portrait and landscape photographers who value precision over agility.

Screen, Viewfinder, and Interface Usability

When framing your shot, how you interact with your camera is crucial. The Canon G9 X II features a 3-inch fixed touchscreen LCD panel with 1,040k-dot resolution, enabling crisp live view and convenient touch shutter release or focus adjustments. Unfortunately, it lacks any built-in viewfinder, requiring shooting predominantly by LCD. This could challenge compositions under bright sunlight or in situations demanding increased stability.

The Leica X Vario’s 3-inch LCD offers a lower resolution of 920k dots and no touchscreen. However, an optional electronic viewfinder accessory is available, enhancing framing precision, especially in bright or challenging conditions. Its interface is minimalist, with physical dials complementing essential buttons, making manual exposure changes swift and satisfying.

For photographers acclimatized to electronic viewfinders and touch interfaces, Canon’s design is friendlier and more versatile out-of-the-box. Leica’s setup, augmented with the optional EVF, suits users favoring traditional manual controls.

The Build and Weatherproofing Reality Check

Neither camera promises weather sealing or ruggedized construction, a tradeoff common in the large sensor compact class to maintain portability. The Leica’s metal body feels rigid and sturdy in a way that inspires confidence over time, handling temperature variations or mild treatment.

The Canon plastic and metal hybrid body, while adequate for daily use, does not inspire the same level of ruggedness. There’s no splash, dust, shock, freeze, or crush protection on either, so both should be treated with care around extreme environments.

Versatility Across Genres: Portrait to Street to Landscape

Let’s break down performance across key photography genres, empowering readers to match features with their passions.

Portraits and Bokeh

The Leica X Vario’s APS-C sensor and 28-70mm lens combination delivers elegant skin tones and subject-background separation unrivaled in the Canon G9 X II. While Canon’s f/2 aperture at the wide end helps with subject isolation, the smaller sensor inherently limits shallow depth of field. Add Leica’s finely crafted lens optics, and you get a compact that doubles as a viable portrait tool.

Landscape Photography

Both cameras provide reasonable resolution, but Leica’s superior dynamic range and extended tonal rendition give it a definitive edge for landscapes. Its robust body and superior sensor support richer RAW files, which post-processing pros will relish. Canon’s 1-inch sensor limits control over highlight retention and shadow detail, yet its smaller form factor makes it tempting for hikers preferring less weight.

Wildlife and Sports

Neither camera is a sports shooter’s dream; however, if forced to pick, the Canon’s faster autofocus, 8.2 fps burst, and image stabilization outperform Leica’s slower, more deliberate autofocus and 5 fps max continuous shooting. Canon’s modest telephoto reach (84mm equivalent) is limiting for distant subjects, and Leica’s zoom maxes at 70mm, also constraining wildlife or sports versatility.

Street Photography

Here, size, discretion, and usability converge. The Canon G9 X II’s stealthier build, smaller footprint, and quick responsive AF make it a strong contender for candid urban photography. Leica’s larger form and slower autofocus weigh it down in dynamic street scenarios, though its image quality and manual controls appeal to those who prefer contemplative street work.

Macro Photography

The Canon boasts a macro minimum focus distance of 5 cm, enabling close-ups with good magnification and optical image stabilization for hand-held details. The Leica lacks a specific macro capability - and though lens sharpness helps, working distances are less forgiving.

Night and Astro

Noise performance in low light leans in Leica’s favor thanks to APS-C size and higher native ISO usability with less noise degradation. Canon’s DIGIC 7 processor assists noise reduction but can’t fully match Leica’s clean shadows above ISO 800. Neither offers specialized astro modes, but long exposure capabilities and manual exposure controls permit creative night photography on both.

Video Features

Video specs are basic but serviceable. Canon records Full HD 1080p at 60fps with H.264 compression and stereo sound but no external mic input. Leica offers only 1080p at 30fps without external mic ports or advanced stabilization. Canon’s optical image stabilization benefits video steadiness slightly. Neither camera is a video-centric tool but suffice for casual clips.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life

Connectivity is another battle of old versus new. Canon’s G9 X II includes built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC for easy smartphone transfers and remote control - a massive plus for social shooters or fast-paced travelers. Leica’s X Vario has no wireless connectivity, feeling decidedly less modern in this era.

Both accept SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards in a single slot, but Canon’s USB 2.0 supports faster data transfers compared to Leica’s slower USB 2.0 as well.

Battery life is a clear Leica advantage: rated around 450 shots on a single charge versus Canon’s 235 shots. For extended travel or days out, Leica’s longevity and dedicated, replaceable battery make it a more dependable companion.

Pricing and Value Proposition

Canon positions the G9 X II as an affordable large-sensor compact at approximately $530 - a mid-range price offering excellent day-to-day versatility without breaking the bank.

Leica’s X Vario, by contrast, launched at around $2950 - six times the price - anchored firmly at the luxury premium segment. Buyers opt for Leica’s artistic heritage, superior sensor, and build quality, making it a collectible tool as much as a camera.

This pricing gap delineates two very different user bases: Canon targets serious enthusiasts looking for image quality and compactness without luxury branding, while Leica demands investment for a storied nameplate and uncompromising image output.

How Do These Cameras Score Overall?

Let’s summarize performance as independent scores from our extensive testing and DxOMark benchmarks indicate:

Breaking It Down by Photography Specialization

Looking more granularly at how these cameras fare within specific photographic styles:

Final Verdict: Which Camera Fits Your Needs?

Choose the Canon G9 X Mark II if:

• You want a reliable, pocketable large sensor compact for everyday, travel, or quick portraits.
• Connectivity like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth is important.
• Your budget caps near $500-$600, seeking solid value with modern features.
• Fast autofocus and ease of use trump ultra-high-end image quality.
• You shoot casual video occasionally.

Choose the Leica X Vario if:

• You prioritize ultimate image quality and depth of field over portability.
• You appreciate classic manual controls and can invest in an optional EVF.
• You want a rugged, premium-feeling camera for deliberate photography styles like landscape, portraits, or fine art.
• You accept slower autofocus and limited video features in exchange for impeccable still images.
• Price is secondary to craft and legacy.

In Closing: The Large Sensor Compact Crossroads

The Canon G9 X Mark II and Leica X Vario embody two philosophies at opposite ends of the large sensor compact camera spectrum. Canon’s modern tech-packed compact focuses on cram-in-all-the-latest conveniences to produce quick, attractive results in a tiny package. Leica’s model is the heir to a legacy of photographic craftsmanship, alluring with an APS-C chip and precision mechanics, demanding you slow down and truly compose.

Both have their place. From candid streets to contemplative landscapes, understanding these cameras’ strengths and limitations arms you to make the right creative choice. Whether you pocket the lightweight Canon or shoulder the Leica, each promises a rewarding journey into large sensor compact photography.

Happy shooting!

Appendices: Specs Summary for Reference

If you enjoyed this detailed exploration, stay tuned for more camera comparisons, where we blend lab analysis with field tests to help you find your perfect photographic partner.