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Canon G9 X vs Nikon L21

Portability
92
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Canon PowerShot G9 X front
 
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23

Canon G9 X vs Nikon L21 Key Specs

Canon G9 X
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-84mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 209g - 98 x 58 x 31mm
  • Revealed October 2015
  • Updated by Canon G9 X II
Nikon L21
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
  • 169g - 92 x 67 x 28mm
  • Released February 2010
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Canon G9 X vs Nikon L21 Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Canon G9 X versus Nikon L21, former is a Large Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Nikon. There is a sizable difference among the resolutions of the G9 X (20MP) and L21 (8MP) and the G9 X (1") and L21 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The G9 X was brought out 5 years after the L21 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick overview of how the G9 X grades against the L21 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon G9 X over the Nikon L21

 G9 X L21 
ReleasedOctober 2015February 2010Newer by 70 months
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1040k230kClearer display (+810k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Canon G9 X

 L21 G9 X 

Common features in the Canon G9 X and Nikon L21

 G9 X L21 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Canon G9 X vs Nikon L21 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon G9 X enjoys physical dimensions of 98mm x 58mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") and a weight of 209 grams (0.46 lbs) whilst the Nikon L21 has dimensions of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") along with a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs).

Analyze the Canon G9 X versus Nikon L21 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the G9 X and the L21.

Canon G9 X vs Nikon L21 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the G9 X and L21 is 92 and 93 respectively.

Canon G9 X vs Nikon L21 top view buttons comparison

Canon G9 X vs Nikon L21 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions simply by seeing technical specs. The picture here should offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the G9 X and L21.

As you have seen, both the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The G9 X due to its larger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field simpler and the Canon G9 X will provide more detail having its extra 12MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The fresher G9 X will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Canon G9 X vs Nikon L21 sensor size comparison

Canon G9 X vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G9 X vs Nikon L21 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon G9 X Portrait photography factors
Nikon L21 Portrait photography factors
64
has manual focus
decent megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
features face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
18
no manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (8MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon G9 X Street photography info
Nikon L21 Street photography info
80
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is good (1")
exports RAW formats
has touch focus
lighter than competition (209 grams)
no moving screen
46
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon G9 X Sports photography highlights
Nikon L21 Sports photography highlights
54
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
features tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
bad battery power (220 shots)
no phase detect AF
15
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low megapixels (8 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon G9 X Travel photography factors
Nikon L21 Travel photography factors
77
lighter than competition (209 grams)
has touch focus
decent megapixels (20MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
bad battery power (220 CIPA)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
50
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
low megapixels (8MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon G9 X Landscape photography advice
Nikon L21 Landscape photography advice
70
has manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
exports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
bad battery power (220 CIPA)
21
no manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.5 inch)
no manual control
no image stabilization
low megapixels (8MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon G9 X as a Vlogging camera
Nikon L21 as a Vlogging camera
39
pretty wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (209g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone support
21
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have microphone socket
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Canon G9 X vs Nikon L21 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G9 X and Nikon L21
 Canon PowerShot G9 XNikon Coolpix L21
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot G9 X Nikon Coolpix L21
Category Large Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2015-10-12 2010-02-03
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 6 Expeed C2
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 8 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5472 x 3648 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 12800 1600
Min native ISO 125 64
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-84mm (3.0x) 38-136mm (3.6x)
Highest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focus distance 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 2.7 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of display 1,040k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 8 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.00 m (at Auto ISO) -
Flash modes Auto, on, slow synchro, off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 209 gr (0.46 pounds) 169 gr (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 98 x 58 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 63 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 495 not tested
Other
Battery life 220 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-13L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $399 $180