Canon G9 X Mark II vs Panasonic Lumix ZS100: A Deep Dive into Large Sensor Compact Cameras

In the competitive realm of large sensor compact cameras, the Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 stand out as two noteworthy contenders. Launched in early 2017 and 2016 respectively, both models target enthusiasts and professionals seeking portability without sacrificing image quality - yet their design philosophies, feature sets, and performance characteristics present distinct strengths and compromises that merit a thorough, hands-on comparison.

Having extensively tested and compared thousands of cameras over the past 15 years, I will break down these two compacts across every major photography discipline and use case, integrating technical assessments and real-world experience to help you decide which is best suited for your shooting style and creative ambitions.

A Tale of Two Designs: Ergonomics, Size, and Handling

Before we delve into image quality and feature sets, it's essential to start with physical ergonomics - the first impression every photographer experiences. The Canon G9 X II and Panasonic ZS100 embody different form factors and handling characteristics.

The Canon G9 X II is exceptionally compact and lightweight, measuring just 98 x 58 x 31 mm and weighing 206 grams. This makes it remarkably pocketable and discreet, traits especially appreciated in street photography and travel contexts where portability is paramount. Its slim profile and minimalist design keep distractions to a minimum, positioning it as a true “grab-and-go” companion.

On the other hand, the Panasonic ZS100 is noticeably larger and heavier, at 111 x 65 x 44 mm and 312 grams. This increase in mass and size accommodates its longer zoom lens and integrated electronic viewfinder (EVF). While this diminishes its ultra-compact appeal somewhat, it also yields more substantial grip ergonomics and a more tactile shooting experience, which could be beneficial during extended use or in dynamic shooting environments such as wildlife or sports.

Looking at the top control layouts (see below), both cameras adopt an intuitive approach, but Panasonic’s inclusion of a robust EVF with 100% coverage and higher magnification (0.46x) enhances compositional accuracy, especially under bright daylight when LCD screens may struggle. Canon’s G9 X II relies solely on its rear 3-inch touchscreen LCD (with 1040k-dot resolution), which, while adequate for casual framing, can complicate precise manual focus or exposure adjustments in intense outdoor conditions.

Verdict: If size and stealth are priorities - think street photography, travel, or casual snapshots - the Canon G9 X II’s compact form is highly appealing. For photographers who value a more traditional handling experience and the advantage of an EVF, the Panasonic ZS100’s chunkier frame offers advantages, albeit at a cost to portability.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Photography

Both cameras use a 1-inch sensor measuring 13.2 x 8.8 mm with a surface area around 116.16 mm², positioning them among the largest sensors available in compact form factors. This sensor size generally delivers superior image quality compared to typical fixed-lens compacts and smartphones. Let's break down their specifications and image output.

Sensor Technology

• Canon G9 X II: Utilizes a 20.1 MP BSI-CMOS sensor coupled with Canon’s DIGIC 7 image processor.
• Panasonic ZS100: Employs a 20.1 MP BSI MOS sensor with the Venus Engine processor.

Despite the similarity in resolution and sensor size, the processing engines impact noise control, dynamic range, and color reproduction distinctly.

DxOMark Scores for Empirical Insight

According to DxOMark's comprehensive sensor testing, Canon’s G9 X II achieves an overall score of 65, with a respectable color depth of 21.9 bits and dynamic range of 12.5 EV stops. The low-light ISO score is 522, indicative of usable noise control.

Conversely, Panasonic's ZS100 scores slightly higher with an overall 70, color depth of 22.8 bits, and an identical 12.5 EV dynamic range. Its low-light ISO metric is a notch better at 559, reflecting a subtle advantage in noise management and color fidelity under dimmer conditions.

Note on ISO performance: Panasonic extends its maximum boosted ISO to 25600, although practical use beyond ISO 6400 tends to degrade image quality significantly in both models.

Real-World Image Rendering

When shooting portraits, accurate and pleasing skin tones are paramount. The Canon G9 X II exhibits Canon’s hallmark warm yet natural color science, producing lifelike skin tones that require minimal post-processing. The Panasonic, with its slightly cooler rendering, appeals to those who prefer a neutral base for further edits.

Regarding bokeh quality, neither camera can rival the shallow depth of field of larger sensor mirrorless or DSLR systems due to their fixed moderate aperture lenses and sensor sizes, but the Canon’s slightly faster aperture at the wide end (F2.0 vs. Panasonic’s F2.8) delivers a modest edge in portrait subject separation and low light.

Both cameras feature an anti-aliasing filter, which helps reduce moiré but slightly softens fine details. This design choice favors general-purpose shooting but may disappoint landscape photographers aiming for maximum sharpness.

Optical Versus Focal Length Flexibility

Lens specifications can make or break the usability of compact cameras. The fixed lens design vastly differs between Canon’s and Panasonic’s offerings.

• Canon G9 X II: 28-84 mm equivalent focal length, 3x optical zoom, aperture range f/2.0 to f/4.9
• Panasonic ZS100: 25-250 mm equivalent focal length, 10x optical zoom, aperture range f/2.8 to f/5.9

This distinction represents a fundamental difference in photographic versatility.

Canon’s Approach: Moderate Zoom, Brighter Aperture

The Canon’s shorter zoom range keeps image quality consistently sharp across the frame, with the faster wide aperture enabling more effective low-light and portrait photography. However, its limited reach at 84 mm equivalent restricts tight framing options in wildlife or sports settings.

Panasonic’s All-Rounder: Long Zoom, Sacrifice in Aperture

The Panasonic’s impressive 10x zoom is a significant advantage for travel, wildlife, and sports photography - offering extensive reach to capture distant subjects without sacrificing much portability. The tradeoff is its slower maximum aperture, particularly at telephoto lengths, which impacts low-light performance and depth of field control.

Autofocus System: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Rapid and reliable autofocus (AF) is vital across nearly all photography genres, particularly when subjects move unpredictably.

• Both cameras implement contrast-detection AF without phase-detection pixels.
• Canon’s G9 X II offers basic face detection and eye tracking but lacks dedicated animal eye AF.
• Panasonic’s ZS100 features 49 AF points (versus Canon’s unspecified but likely fewer), alongside face and eye detection.

Real-World AF Performance

Across various tests, the Panasonic ZS100’s autofocus performs noticeably faster and more decisively, particularly in continuous AF mode when tracking moving subjects. This makes it more capable in wildlife, sports, and action photography.

The Canon, while competent, exhibits a more deliberate and sometimes hesitant AF pace, especially under low contrast or low light conditions. Its AF accuracy in live view single shot mode remains strong for portraits and static scenes.

Display and User Interface: Touchscreens and Viewfinders

Both cameras feature a 3-inch touchscreen LCD with 1040k-dot resolution, enabling intuitive exposure adjustments and menu navigation.

However, Panasonic’s additional electronic viewfinder (EVF) stands out as a significant usability advantage, delivering a bright, immersive framing experience, 100% coverage, and adjustable magnification. The Canon lacks any form of EVF, requiring reliance solely on the rear LCD, which can be problematic in bright sunlight.

From a user interface perspective, both cameras offer manual exposure modes (Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, full Manual), exposure compensation, custom white balance, and touch AF control. The Canon's touchscreen is a little more responsive in practice, although Panasonic compensates with physical dials and buttons that improve tactile feedback during shooting.

Burst Shooting and Buffer Depth

For wildlife and sports photography, continuous shooting speed and buffer size critically affect your ability to capture decisive moments.

• Canon G9 X II: 8.2 fps continuous shooting, suitable for casual action shooting.
• Panasonic ZS100: Approximately 9.9 fps, slightly faster burst rate, aiding in capturing fast-moving subjects.

Neither model rivals the high frame rates of dedicated sports cameras but in the compact segment, the Panasonic’s edge is notable.

Video Capabilities: Resolution, Frame Rates, and Features

The Panasonic ZS100 excels in video functionality relative to the Canon G9 X II.

• Canon G9 X II: Supports Full HD (1920 x 1080) recording up to 60p; AVCHD and MOV formats; no 4K support.
• Panasonic ZS100: Offers 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) at 30p/24p, plus Full HD 60p; includes 4K Photo mode allowing extraction of 8MP stills from video.

4K video recording and 4K Photo functionality make the Panasonic highly attractive for hybrid shooters and vloggers, despite lacking microphone or headphone jacks, limiting audio control.

Both cameras incorporate optical image stabilization to reduce handheld shake, with the Panasonic’s lens-based stabilization being effective across the zoom range.

Weather Sealing and Durability

Neither camera offers environmental sealing; both are vulnerable to dust and moisture ingress and should be used cautiously in adverse weather.

Battery Life and Storage

• Canon G9 X II: Rated for approximately 235 shots per charge.
• Panasonic ZS100: Rated for about 300 shots, offering a modest advantage for extended outings.

Both cameras accommodate single SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and lack dual slots or trickle charging capabilities. For travel or professional use, spare batteries are advisable.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

• Canon includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC, enabling seamless pairing with smart devices for remote shooting and quick sharing.
• Panasonic offers built-in Wi-Fi but lacks Bluetooth and NFC.

The Canon’s wireless complement is slightly stronger for modern smart workflow integration.

Price-to-Performance Evaluation

At their retail prices:

• Canon G9 X II: ~$530 USD
• Panasonic ZS100: ~$700 USD

While the ZS100 commands a premium, its extra features - notably the extended zoom, EVF, 4K video support, and more robust AF system - arguably justify the higher cost for users who prioritize versatility and video.

Photographic Genre Analysis

Portrait Photography

• Canon G9 X II: Wins for skin tone rendition and wider aperture at wide angle, yielding softer backgrounds.
• Panasonic ZS100: More zoom flexibility but slower aperture challenges low-light and bokeh.

Landscape Photography

• Both cameras offer 20 MP resolution and 12.5 EV dynamic range, adequate for most outdoor landscapes.
• Panasonic's longer zoom covers distant subjects.
• Neither has in-body stabilization or weather sealing, a mildly limiting factor.

Wildlife Photography

• Panasonic’s 10x zoom and faster AF make it the better choice.
• Canon’s limitation to 3x zoom restricts utility here.

Sports Photography

• Panasonic edges ahead with faster continuous shooting and AF.
• Canon’s burst buffer and AF speed are sufficient for casual sports.

Street Photography

• Canon’s compactness and quieter operation favor discreet shooting.
• Panasonic’s EVF can aid framing but adds bulk.

Macro Photography

• Both cameras allow focus as close as 5 cm.
• Stabilization helps Panasonic maintain sharpness at longer focal lengths.

Night and Astro Photography

• Limited by 1-inch sensor size.
• Canon's wider aperture can assist, but noise performance is similar.

Video Capabilities

• Panasonic clearly superior with 4K support and 4K Photo modes.
• Canon caps at Full HD.

Travel Photography

• Panasonic’s zoom range, EVF, and longer battery life make it more versatile.
• Canon’s compactness appeals for minimalist setups.

Professional Workflows

• Both produce RAW files.
• Connectivity options and EVF make Panasonic slightly more workflow-friendly.
• Neither replaces a mirrorless or DSLR for demanding professional use.

Gallery Comparison: Sample Images Under Various Conditions

Canon G9 X II front Canon G9 X II screen back Panasonic ZS100 front Panasonic ZS100 screen back

The sample photographs exhibit subtle differences:

• Canon images show warm, natural hues with smooth tonal gradation.
• Panasonic images are slightly cooler but reveal more reach and detail at telephoto settings.
• In low-light scenarios, both handle noise acceptably up to ISO 1600.
• Video frame grabs from Panasonic display higher detail thanks to 4K resolution.

Overall Performance Ratings and Summary Scores

• Canon G9 X II: Strong contender for compact portability and natural color science.
• Panasonic ZS100: More versatile, especially for telephoto reach and video.

Final Recommendations and Buying Guide

Choose the Canon G9 X Mark II if…

• You prioritize portability and discretion, especially in street, travel, or casual portrait photography.
• You value natural-looking skin tones and slightly wider aperture lenses.
• You want a camera with simplified controls and solid wireless connectivity at a comparatively modest price.
• Your video needs are limited to Full HD.
• You prefer a compact pocket camera without EVF bulk.

Choose the Panasonic Lumix ZS100 if…

• You require greater focal length flexibility, covering wide-angle to telephoto needs in one package.
• You want an electronic viewfinder to improve composition and clarity in bright conditions.
• You plan to shoot 4K video or make use of 4K Photo capabilities.
• Faster autofocus and higher frame rates matter to your shooting style (wildlife, sports).
• You're willing to carry a slightly larger camera for enhanced control and versatility.

Conclusion

Both the Canon G9 X Mark II and Panasonic Lumix ZS100 remain compelling large sensor compact options over five years since their release. Each camera embodies a distinctive compromise between size, zoom range, image quality, and video prowess, suiting different photographer profiles.

For enthusiasts seeking a pocket-sized powerhouse perfect for travel and street photography, the Canon G9 X II delivers beautiful images with responsive touchscreen operation, all while slipping unobtrusively into a jacket pocket.

Conversely, for users who demand greater zoom versatility, improved autofocus, and future-proof video features - and who don’t mind the extra size and cost - the Panasonic ZS100 stands out as a flexible and enduring choice within the compact segment.

Whatever your preference, understanding these nuanced differences helps ensure your investment aligns closely with your creative vision and shooting priorities.

Thank you for reading this comprehensive comparison. For further insights or personalized advice, feel free to reach out via the comments or contact channels.

Appendix: Technical Summary Table

Canon G9 X II front Canon G9 X II screen back Panasonic ZS100 front Panasonic ZS100 screen back