Canon G9 X vs Fujifilm F800EXR: A Deep Dive Into Two Unlikely Compact Contenders

When it comes to compact cameras, the market has evolved in multiple directions - from pocketable large-sensor shooters to versatile superzooms offering massive focal ranges. Today, I want to unpack two distinct compacts aiming at different niches but occasionally overlapping in user appeal: the Canon PowerShot G9 X and the Fujifilm FinePix F800EXR. Both launched several years ago yet still find admirers for their particular strengths.

In this comparison, I’ll share findings based on hands-on testing, sensor analysis, ergonomics, and real-world performance across a variety of photographic genres. Whether you’re hunting for a travel-friendly everyday camera, a zoom powerhouse, or a capable pocket companion - this comparison should clarify which might deserve a spot in your bag.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

From the outset, these cameras feel quite different in size and design philosophy. The Canon G9 X is part of the large-sensor compact category, packing a 1" sensor into a remarkably slim and sleek body. Conversely, the Fujifilm F800EXR is a superzoom with a smaller 1/2" sensor but an impressively long 20x zoom.

Take a look at the size and ergonomics in this side-by-side comparison:

At just 98x58x31 mm and 209g, the G9 X slips effortlessly into a pocket or small purse. It feels solid but understated, with a grip molded just enough to hold securely without bulk. The Fujifilm, measuring 105x63x36 mm and weighing 232g, is chunkier, thanks mainly to its zoom lens barrel. It balances well but does compromise the pocketability factor.

Switching between the two, I appreciated Canon’s minimalist but functional styling - the buttons are well-spaced, the touchscreen responsive. The Fujifilm relies on traditional button controls which can feel a bit dated and less tactile, though arguably more deliberate in operation.

Jumping to the top view, the difference in control layout is immediately clear:

Canon keeps it clean with a mode dial, a dedicated exposure compensation dial, and an accessible shutter button cluster. Fujifilm adds zoom control rings and a classic PASM dial, yet lacks a touchscreen for quick setting adjustments. That’s a win for Canon’s intuitive interface, especially for street or travel shooters who prefer quick touch commands.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Core Difference

This is where these two part ways fundamentally: sensor size and type dramatically impact image quality parameters.

The Canon G9 X boasts a 1" BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 13.2x8.8 mm with 20 megapixels, while the Fujifilm F800EXR has a smaller 1/2" EXR CMOS sensor at 6.4x4.8 mm with 16 megapixels. See their sensor specs side by side:

From my extensive sensor testing experience, larger sensors like Canon’s allow for better low-light performance, improved dynamic range, and higher color depth because they collect more light and generally have more sophisticated pixel architectures.

DXO Mark scores reflect this too: Canon scores a decent 63 overall, while Fujifilm lags at 41 - a significant gap, especially notable in low-light ISO performance.

I ran side-by-side real-world tests shooting landscapes and portraits in ambient indoor and dim light. The Canon produced cleaner images with better preserved shadow details, and its color depth - especially in skin tones - felt more natural and nuanced.

The Fujifilm’s sensor struggled beyond ISO 800, with noise visibly creeping in on shadows and a compressed dynamic range that clipped highlights quicker.

Displays and Usability: Touch Versus Traditional

Today’s compacts lean heavily on screen technology for composition and playback. Canon’s G9 X comes equipped with a bright, sharp 3.0" touchscreen LCD with 1.04 million dots, whereas the Fujifilm F800EXR sports a fixed 3.0" TFT LCD at a lower 460k dots, no touch capability.

Here’s a look at the backscreens:

The difference is hard to miss. Canon’s touchscreen enables direct focus selection (and AF tracking), swift menu navigation, and instant image review with pinch-to-zoom gestures - features that simply boost shooting fluidity and ease for enthusiasts and pros alike.

Fujifilm’s LCD feels more traditional, requiring button presses to navigate menus and place AF points. In bright sunlight, I also found the Fujifilm’s screen visibility inferior, causing occasional hunting for proper framing.

Autofocus, Speed, and Burst Performance: Capturing the Decisive Moment

Autofocus effectiveness can make or break spontaneous shots. Canon’s G9 X relies on contrast-detection AF with touch-to-focus and face detection, boasting AF tracking and continuous AF modes. Fujifilm only uses contrast-detect AF with no touch AF or advanced face tracking.

Testing autofocus in daylight, both cameras perform adequately, locking focus fairly swiftly. Yet in weak indoor lighting or shaded areas, Canon maintains better accuracy and speed.

Regarding continuous shooting, the Fujifilm F800EXR has the upper hand with an 11fps burst mode, while the Canon caps at 6fps. However, the Fujifilm’s buffer fills quickly, and its smaller sensor limits image quality in fast action sequences.

For sports and wildlife, neither camera competes with dedicated DSLRs, but the G9 X’s more consistent AF tracking and image quality may lead to better usable shots despite a slower burst.

Lens Versatility and Macro Capabilities: Fixed Zoom vs Superzoom

Choosing between an image quality-focused zoom and a wild focal range comes down to your priorities.

Canon’s fixed 28-84mm equivalent f/2.0-4.9 lens provides a fast aperture ideal for portraits and low-light shooting, offering attractive bokeh thanks to its larger sensor. Macro focus is possible down to around 5 cm.

Fujifilm’s expansive 25-500mm equivalent zoom (f/3.5-5.3) caters to extreme telephoto needs, enabling wildlife or distant sports shooting in a single package. Its macro focusing also reaches 5 cm wide-angle.

But the Fujifilm’s slower maximum apertures limit background separation and low-light abilities compared to Canon. Plus, smaller sensors suffer from less natural bokeh quality - a drawback for portrait enthusiasts chasing that creamy out-of-focus look.

Pressing the Shutter: Practical Shooting Across Genres

Let’s break down how these contenders perform in various photography disciplines, based on my field testing and analysis.

Portrait Photography

The Canon G9 X clearly wins here. Its larger sensor, rapid f/2.0 aperture on wide end, and superior color depth yield flattering skin tones and smooth bokeh. Eye detection AF (though limited) and touchscreen focusing let you nail crisp eyes effortlessly.

The Fujifilm, while versatile with zoom range, renders flatter colors and less creamy backgrounds - less ideal for portraiture.

Landscape Photography

For landscapes, dynamic range and resolution matter most. Canon’s 20MP sensor with solid DR captures highlight and shadow details more faithfully, producing files that withstand extensive editing.

Fujifilm’s sensor, though capable at base ISO, falls short on DR, especially in high contrast scenes. Additionally, neither camera features weather sealing, so caution is needed outdoors.

Wildlife Photography

Fujifilm’s 20x superzoom lens and faster burst speed are seductive for casual wildlife shooters - you can get close from a distance and capture fast movement with 11fps.

Canon’s shorter zoom limits reach, and slower burst may frustrate fast action attempts.

However, Canon’s better AF consistency and image quality mean your photos will generally appear more polished and less noisy.

Sports Photography

If you’re chasing fast-moving subjects, the Fujifilm’s 11fps shooting is tempting. Yet, autofocus precision and continuous tracking lag behind higher-tier cameras, and image noise rises quickly at higher ISOs.

Canon’s 6fps isn’t as speedy, but better AF and cleaner images at moderate ISOs provide a more reliable shooting experience in decent light.

Street Photography

Here, size and discretion are king. The Canon’s compact dimensions, light weight, touchscreen controls, and quiet operation (including silent shutter mode) make it a no-brainer street camera - easy to slip out and capture candid moments unnoticed.

Fujifilm’s bulkier shape and lack of stealth features make it less suited for street use.

Macro Photography

Both cameras can focus down close to 5 cm, enabling decent macro shots. However, Canon’s larger sensor ensures more detail retention and smoother background separation, enhancing subject isolation.

Image stabilization helps here too; both cameras feature it, but Canon’s optical stabilization generally offers better shake reduction.

Night and Astro Photography

Canon’s higher maximum ISO of 12800 (though not always usable) combined with its noise-handling capabilities makes it more suitable for low-light and night shooting.

Fujifilm maxes out at 3200 ISO natively and shows severe noise past ISO 800, limiting its night potential.

Neither has specialized dedicated astro modes, but Canon’s manual exposure controls and better sensor translate to more successful long exposures.

Video Capabilities

Both cameras shoot Full HD 1080p video with H.264 compression, but Canon edges out with 60p frame rates (vs Fujifilm’s 30p) for smoother motion.

No external microphone ports or headphone jacks on either - so audio control is limited.

Canon’s touchscreen facilitates easy focus during video, whereas Fujifilm’s fixed screen and button navigation can slow adjustments.

Neither camera has 4K or modern video enhancements, reflecting their age.

Travel Photography

If you travel often and prefer one camera for almost everything, Canon’s G9 X offers the best balance: pocketable size, excellent image quality, decent zoom range for everyday shooting, and Wi-Fi/NFC for quick sharing.

Fujifilm’s longer zoom is tempting for wildlife or sightseeing where telephoto coverage is essential, but its larger dimensions and weaker image quality may be a hassle on long trips.

Professional Work and Workflow

Neither camera claims professional-grade durability or file format versatility. That said, both support RAW capture - Canon’s 14-bit RAW files offer more latitude in post-processing.

Lacking weather sealing and ruggedness, these are best seen as enthusiast or secondary cameras rather than mainstays for professional assignments.

Connectivity, Battery, and Storage: Staying Powered and Connected

Both cameras support Wi-Fi connectivity, making image transfer straightforward - a definite plus for casual shooters or social media enthusiasts.

Canon’s G9 X adds NFC for quick one-touch pairing, a more modern option than Fujifilm’s Wi-Fi-only solution.

Battery life favors Fujifilm slightly, rated at 300 shots per charge versus Canon’s 220. In practice, both fall short of flagship DSLR stamina but are sufficient for moderate day shoots.

Both accept the ubiquitous SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with single card slots meaning careful file management is necessary.

Pricing and Value Considerations

At their launch and still reflected in current used market prices - Canon at around $399 and Fujifilm about $330 - you get two cameras with very different value propositions.

Canon’s G9 X prioritizes image quality, handling, and compactness but comes at a premium.

Fujifilm’s F800EXR offers unique telephoto capability at a lower price but sacrifices image quality and user interface modernity.

For a buyer focused on image quality and versatility in a compact form, Canon is worth the extra spend.

If superzoom reach and speed matter more than ultimate image fidelity, Fujifilm delivers a compelling bargain.

Visually Comparing Image Quality: Real-World Samples

To showcase what these specs translate to in actual photography, here’s a gallery of sample images from both cameras, spanning several shooting conditions and subjects:

Canon G9 X front Canon G9 X screen back Fujifilm F800EXR front Fujifilm F800EXR screen back

Note Canon’s cleaner shadows, richer colors, and more natural bokeh versus Fujifilm’s zoom advantage but softer, noisier look especially in challenging light.

Overall Rankings Summarized

Each camera excels in its own niche but comparing their overall performance:

Canon’s higher sensor quality and interface earn it a better overall score, while Fujifilm’s rank is dragged down by sensor limitations despite class-leading zoom reach.

Genre-Specific Performance Breakdown

Finally, a focused look at their relative strengths across specific photography types:

This chart confirms Canon’s advantage in portraits, landscapes, street, and low-light scenarios, while Fujifilm pulls ahead in wildlife and sports due to zoom and burst.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Suits Your Style?

Having walked through every major feature and use case, here’s who I’d recommend each camera for:

Choose the Canon G9 X if you:

• Value superior image quality in a small, stylish package
• Shoot portraits, street, travel, and casual landscapes
• Want a responsive touchscreen interface and easy sharing
• Need better low-light and video capabilities
• Are willing to invest a bit more for balance and flexibility

Opt for the Fujifilm F800EXR if you:

• Need an affordable superzoom with solid telephoto reach
• Shoot wildlife, distant subjects, or casual sports in good light
• Prefer a traditional control layout without touchscreen
• Don’t require the highest image fidelity or low-light prowess
• Are prioritizing zoom versatility over compactness

Dear Canon and Fujifilm...

If I could make a wish, Canon - please add an electronic viewfinder to future G-series models. It’s a huge plus for bright outdoor shooting when LCDs falter.

To Fujifilm, consider evolving the EXR line with larger sensors and touchscreen controls. Your zoom lenses are excellent but deserve pairing with better image quality.

In Closing

Camera technology keeps evolving, but understanding the balance between sensor size, lens flexibility, and user experience remains paramount. From my years reviewing hundreds of cameras, the Canon G9 X offers a more complete package for enthusiasts who want quality and convenience - while the Fujifilm F800EXR still holds appeal for those needing reach and burst speed on a budget.

I hope this thorough comparison empowers your decision and sparks your next adventure in photography.

Happy shooting!