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Canon G9 X vs Nikon S30

Portability
92
Imaging
51
Features
63
Overall
55
Canon PowerShot G9 X front
 
Nikon Coolpix S30 front
Portability
90
Imaging
32
Features
18
Overall
26

Canon G9 X vs Nikon S30 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
  • Announced October 2015
  • Renewed by Canon G9 X II
Nikon S30
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 102 x 65 x 40mm
  • Released February 2012
Photography Glossary

Canon G9 X vs Nikon S30 Overview

Lets look closer at the Canon G9 X vs Nikon S30, one is a Large Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the G9 X (20MP) and S30 (10MP) and the G9 X (1") and S30 (1/3") boast different sensor measurements.

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The G9 X was introduced 3 years after the S30 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the G9 X scores versus the S30 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon G9 X over the Nikon S30

 G9 X S30 
ReleasedOctober 2015February 2012More modern by 45 months
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1040k230kSharper screen (+810k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Canon G9 X

 S30 G9 X 

Common features in the Canon G9 X and Nikon S30

 G9 X S30 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Canon G9 X vs Nikon S30 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and size. The Canon G9 X provides exterior measurements of 98mm x 58mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") having a weight of 209 grams (0.46 lbs) whilst the Nikon S30 has specifications of 102mm x 65mm x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") along with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Check out the Canon G9 X vs Nikon S30 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the G9 X versus the S30.

Canon G9 X vs Nikon S30 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the G9 X and S30 is 92 and 90 respectively.

Canon G9 X vs Nikon S30 top view buttons comparison

Canon G9 X vs Nikon S30 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizes only by reading specifications. The image underneath might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the G9 X and S30.

To sum up, each of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The G9 X with its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Canon G9 X will offer greater detail using its extra 10MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The younger G9 X should have an advantage in sensor tech.

Canon G9 X vs Nikon S30 sensor size comparison

Canon G9 X vs Nikon S30 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G9 X vs Nikon S30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon G9 X Portrait photography factors
Nikon S30 Portrait photography factors
63
manual focus
MP count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
supports face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
no external flash support
24
provides face detect focusing
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low resolution (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon G9 X
Street photography with Nikon S30
80
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor size (1")
exports RAW formats
offers touch to focus
lighter than others (209 grams)
no moving screen
51
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/3")
has no RAW format
heavier than average in class (214g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon G9 X as a Sports photography camera
Nikon S30 as a Sports photography camera
54
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
supports tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
not so great battery power (220 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
28
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
weather proofing
slow continuous shooting (1.5 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (10MP)
small sensor (1/3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon G9 X Travel photography details
Nikon S30 Travel photography details
77
lighter than others (209 grams)
offers touch to focus
MP count decent (20MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery power (220 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
52
weather proofing
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than average in class (214g)
low resolution (10 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (29mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon G9 X Landscape photography advice
Nikon S30 Landscape photography advice
69
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
exports RAW formats
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
not so great battery power (220 CIPA)
25
weather proofing
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (10MP)
small sensor (1/3")
has no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon G9 X Vlogging details
Nikon S30 Vlogging details
39
reasonably wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
touch screen
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (209 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone socket
23
provides face detect focusing
wide angle not the best (29mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic socket
heavier than average in class (214g)
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Canon G9 X vs Nikon S30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G9 X and Nikon S30
 Canon PowerShot G9 XNikon Coolpix S30
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot G9 X Nikon Coolpix S30
Category Large Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2015-10-12 2012-02-01
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1" 1/3"
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 4.8 x 3.6mm
Sensor area 116.2mm² 17.3mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5472 x 3648 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 12800 1600
Min native ISO 125 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-84mm (3.0x) 29-87mm (3.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 2.7 7.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 1,040k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT-LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames per sec 1.5 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.00 m (at Auto ISO) -
Flash options Auto, on, slow synchro, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 209g (0.46 pounds) 214g (0.47 pounds)
Physical dimensions 98 x 58 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") 102 x 65 x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 63 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 495 not tested
Other
Battery life 220 shots 240 shots
Battery type Battery Pack AA
Battery ID NB-13L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $399 $119