Canon PowerShot G9 X vs Casio Exilim EX-Z90: A Hands-On Compact Camera Showdown

As someone who has put thousands of cameras through their paces, I always find it fascinating to compare models separated not just by brand, but by their very era and tech philosophies. Today, I’m diving into a compact camera face-off between the 2015 Canon PowerShot G9 X and the much older 2009 Casio Exilim EX-Z90. Both fall into the "point-and-shoot" camp but target quite different types of users and pricepoints. I'll focus on how each performs in various photography disciplines and everyday shooting situations, with my typical blend of technical insight, real-world experience, and a good dose of practicality.

Whether you’re a curious photography enthusiast or a professional looking for a budget-friendly secondary camera, you’ll want to stick around as we unpack these two cameras’ strengths and shortcomings. Let’s get into it!

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

When I first picked up the Canon G9 X and Casio EX-Z90 side by side, the difference in size and weight was immediately apparent. The G9 X sports a noticeably chunkier, heavier body - 209 grams compared to Casio’s ultra-light 121 grams. The Canon’s physical dimensions of 98 x 58 x 31 mm feel substantial in the hand, lending a sense of robustness that’s often missing from ultra-compact cameras. The Casio, at 90 x 52 x 19 mm, is practically a pocket snack - ultra-slim and lightweight, great for those who prioritize portability above all else.

Ergonomically, the Canon offers a much better grip, which is a huge plus during extended shooting or when using slightly longer shutter speeds. The Casio, while more pocketable, feels a bit flimsy in my hands after a while - more of a quick grab-and-shoot tool.

To visualize just how pronounced the physical differences are, check out this size and ergonomics comparison:

Verdict: If you’re traveling light or want a truly discreet companion camera, the EX-Z90’s size advantage is compelling. But if handling comfort and a more sturdy build are important, the G9 X takes a clear lead.

Design and Control Layout: Are There Any Clubs for Thumbs?

Looking underneath the hood - or rather, at the top plate and rear controls - reveals Canon’s more modern approach to physical controls vs Casio’s simpler setup.

The G9 X balances a capacitive touchscreen with a handful of dedicated buttons and dials including shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual controls that approval-seeking enthusiasts will love. It offers customizable menus, exposure compensation buttons, and a 3-inch touchscreen with 1040k-dot resolution - more than adequate for framing and reviewing shots with precision.

The EX-Z90’s interface leads with a smaller 2.7-inch 230k-dot LCD, no touchscreen (yeah, ouch!), and a control layout that can feel dated. No manual exposure modes either - only full auto or limited preset options. The top view, seen here, neatly sums it up:

Verdict: The Canon G9 X is hands-down more flexible for photographers who want more creative control and faster menu navigation. The Casio suits beginners who prefer a simple point-and-shoot workflow.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Here’s where the gulf between the two cameras becomes vast and immediately visible in images, even without pixel peeping.

The Canon packs a much larger 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor (13.2 x 8.8 mm, 116.16 mm²) with 20-megapixel resolution and the venerable DIGIC 6 processor. Bigger sensors mean bigger pixels, which translates to better dynamic range, lower noise in low light, and more flexibility during post-processing. Canon’s sensor boasts a DxOMark overall score of 63, boasting superior color depth (21.5 bits), dynamic range (12.3 EV), and low-light ISO performance.

The Casio runs on a diminutive 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm, 28.07 mm²) with just 12 megapixels. This smaller chip, common in budget compacts of that era, struggles to hold dynamic range or color fidelity compared to the Canon. Worse, CCDs generally show more noise and less sensitivity at higher ISOs.

This sensor size and quality comparison clearly illustrate the image potential difference:

In real-world shooting, the Canon’s images are cleaner and more detailed. You’ll benefit from stronger whites and better shadows in landscapes, richer skin tones in portraits, and more vibrant wildlife shots.

LCD Screens and Interface Usability

An often overlooked part of shooting comfort and image review quality are the cameras’ rear screens and their interface.

Canon’s G9 X offers a crisp 3-inch touchscreen with 1040k dots, creating bright, sharp previews with responsive touch controls for focusing and menu operation. The touchscreen is especially helpful for quickly changing focus points, a godsend when you want rapid control during wildlife or portrait sessions.

Casio’s EX-Z90 shows its age again here, with a low-res 2.7-inch fixed LCD at 230k dots and no touch functionality. Colors appear muted and blacks washed out, making it difficult to judge exposure or focus accuracy perfectly in bright light conditions.

Here’s a quick visual comparison:

Verdict: On-screen usability is a huge advantage to the Canon, giving more confidence in shooting and reviewing images on the fly.

Photography Discipline Highlights: How Do They Stack Up?

Let’s break down how these two compacts perform across photography genres and real-world challenges.

Portrait Photography

• Canon G9 X: With a bright f/2.0 aperture at the wide end and a larger sensor working in its favor, the G9 X produces beautifully smooth, natural skin tones and shallow depth-of-field effects. The camera supports face detection autofocus and offers touch-to-focus, which makes locking on to eyes or faces a breeze. The 3x zoom lens range of 28-84mm (35mm equivalent) covers classic portrait focal lengths, though the max aperture shrinks to f/4.9 at tele.

• Casio EX-Z90: The smaller sensor means portraits lack background blur and often appear flat. The lens aperture maxes out at a slower f/3.1, reducing control over depth-of-field. No face detection autofocus also means focusing struggles under some conditions.

Winner: Canon PowerShot G9 X by a mile for portraits.

Landscape Photography

• Canon: Thanks to a 20 MP sensor with solid dynamic range and RAW shooting, the G9 X produces impressive landscapes with usable shadow details and vibrant skies. Optical image stabilization helps handheld shots stay sharp. Canon’s weather sealing isn’t present here, but the sturdy build somewhat mitigates concerns.

• Casio: The EX-Z90’s smaller sensor and lower resolution limit landscape detail and tonal gradation. No image stabilization or weather sealing. Better suited to casual snaps than serious landscape work.

Wildlife Photography

• Canon: Faster autofocus and continuous shooting at 6fps (with autofocus tracking) make the G9 X capable of handling some wildlife action, though the limited 3x zoom lens isn’t ideal for distant subjects. Still, the sensor’s quality and responsiveness help capture crisp fur details and natural colors.

• Casio: Autofocus is contrast-detection only, single-shot focus, with no continuous AF or tracking. Burst shooting is absent or negligible. The 3x zoom reaching 105mm equivalent might help a bit, but image quality degrades quickly at telephoto. Not recommended for wildlife.

Sports Photography

Neither camera is a full-fledged sports shooter, but:

• Canon: 6fps burst and continuous autofocus make it marginally capable for slower sports or casual action.

• Casio: No continuous autofocus or burst support. No contest.

Street Photography

• Canon: Larger and heavier, so slightly less stealthy. But the touchscreen focusing and low-light capabilities make it easier to capture decisive moments. The camera’s quiet shutter is also a plus.

• Casio: Smaller and more discreet, yet poor screen and slow AF reduce spontaneous shooting success.

Macro Photography

• Canon: Good close focus at 5cm and stabilized lens aid handheld macro shots with sharp detail.

• Casio: Minimum focus distance is 10cm and lacks stabilization, which together limit macro quality.

Night and Astro Photography

• Canon: Performs well at high ISOs with relatively low noise. Supports manual modes and custom exposure, beneficial for star trails or astrophotography via tripod.

• Casio: Limited high ISO capability and slow shutter speeds down to 4 seconds, but high noise and limited flexibility undermine serious night shooting.

Video Capabilities

• Canon: Full HD 1080p at 60fps with H.264 recording presents smooth, detailed video. Optical IS adds stability, though no microphone input limits audio quality improvements.

• Casio: 720p max at 24fps with Motion JPEG format delivers chunky, lower-quality footage. No stabilization, mic jacks, or HD ports.

Travel and Everyday Use

• Canon: Versatile zoom, solid image stabilization, wireless connectivity (WiFi and NFC), decent battery life (220 shots), and good ergonomics make the G9 X an excellent travel companion.

• Casio: Lightweight and pocketable, it’s a simple grab-and-go camera for casual snapshots, but limited connectivity and features curtail versatility.

Professional Work and Workflow Integration

• Canon: RAW shooting supported, ample manual modes, and a robust sensor makes it semi-viable as a secondary camera or emergency backup. USB, HDMI ports, and wireless features aid transfer and workflow smoothness.

• Casio: No RAW, limited manual controls, and dated interfaces largely restrict it to casual use.

Autofocus, Stabilization, and Performance Under the Hood

The Canon G9 X uses contrast-detection autofocus with multiple focus modes and face detection. It’s activated by touch or half-press, works reliably in good light, and maintains tracking reasonably well for a compact.

The Casio EX-Z90 has a basic contrast-detection AF with a single focus point and no continuous or tracking capabilities. Autofocus can be sluggish, especially in low light.

Image stabilization is another divider: Canon’s lens-based optical stabilization helps reduce blur from camera shake, enabling slower shutter speeds without tripod support. Casio’s lack of stabilization hurts sharpness when shooting handheld in challenging light.

Burst shooting is only available on the G9 X, reaching up to 6fps. The slower shutter speed range on the Casio (max 4 seconds) vs Canon’s 30 seconds also limits long exposure creativity.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life

The Canon includes WiFi and NFC for instant image transfer - handy for social media sharing or remote shooting via smartphone apps - a feature Casio misses except for Eye-Fi card support, now outdated and impractical.

Regarding storage, both use SD cards, but Canon supports SDXC and has a dedicated USB 2.0 port plus HDMI out. Casio lacks HDMI, limiting video output options.

Battery life on the Canon is rated at 220 shots per charge; the Casio’s battery information is sparse but probably less in real use.

Price and Value: Paying for What You Get

The Canon G9 X launched around $400 (used prices vary), while the Casio EX-Z90’s original price was approximately $150.

Considering features, sensor size, and performance, the G9 X delivers a much higher return on investment - better images and more creative control are well worth the extra outlay. The Casio is serviceable for ultra-budget consumers who need a basic camera and aren’t picky about image quality.

Let’s Put It All Together: Camera Scores and Genre Performance

Here’s an overall snapshot of camera scoring based on DxOMark data, user experience, and feature set:

And a breakdown by photography genre, summing where each shines:

Real-World Photo Samples

I always encourage you to see is believe. To conclude, here are sample shots from both cameras under similar conditions. Notice the Canon’s superior detail, dynamic range, and color accuracy, especially in challenging lighting:

Canon G9 X front Canon G9 X screen back Casio EX Z90 front Casio EX Z90 screen back

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Canon PowerShot G9 X
Pros:

• Large 1-inch sensor with excellent image quality
• Wide aperture lens with image stabilization
• Touchscreen and modern controls with manual modes
• Good video resolution with stabilization
• Wireless connectivity and RAW support

Cons:

• No electronic viewfinder
• Battery life could be better
• Not weather sealed

Best suited for: Enthusiasts and professionals who want a compact, pocketable camera with image quality that punches above its weight. Ideal for portraits, travel, landscapes, and casual wildlife.

Casio Exilim EX-Z90
Pros:

• Very small and lightweight
• Simple to use with basic controls
• Decent telephoto reach for a compact at 105mm equivalent

Cons:

• Tiny sensor with lower image quality
• No image stabilization
• No manual exposure modes or continuous autofocus
• Inferior video and screen quality
• Lacks modern connectivity

Best suited for: Absolute beginners or cheapskates who want a dead-simple ultra-light camera for casual, daylight-only snapshots and don’t mind basic image quality.

One Expert’s Take

If you appreciate image quality and creative control - even in a compact - there's no question: the Canon G9 X outclasses the Casio EX-Z90 at nearly every turn. Its larger sensor, stabilized lens, and modern interface deliver shots that hold up far better across genres and situations.

The Casio might appeal if you want a camera so small you barely notice it in your pocket and only need snapshots with minimal fuss. But if you want longevity, flexibility, and better results, investing in the G9 X makes sense.

In the end, the choice between these two depends on your priorities - image quality and control or sheer portability and simplicity. Having tested both, I recommend the Canon G9 X for most enthusiasts, reserving the Casio for lightweight, casual use or as a nostalgic budget option.

I hope this hands-on comparison has given you a strong feel for these two compact cameras and clarified which might suit your photography needs better. If you’re interested in exploring other alternatives or lenses, feel free to ask - I’m always happy to help clubs for thumbs and camera enthusiasts alike!

Happy shooting!