Compact Contenders: Canon G9 X vs Olympus TG-630 iHS - Which Small Shooter Wins?

When it comes to compact cameras, the marketplace is a kaleidoscope of options - from pocket-sized marvels focused on image quality to rugged adventurers built to survive your wildest expeditions. Today, I’m digging into two such contenders that represent wildly different philosophies but compete in the same general arena: the Canon PowerShot G9 X, a large-sensor compact shooter with a premium tilt toward image quality and sophistication; versus the Olympus TG-630 iHS, a rugged waterproof compact designed for on-the-go usage where durability matters as much as optics.

Having spent years testing thousands of cameras across genres and conditions, I’ll share real-world experience, detailed technical analysis, and candid pros and cons for each - helping you decide which one fits your photography life best, whether it’s portraiture, travel, or just casual snapshots with personality.

Let’s start with the obvious: these cameras couldn’t be more different, but they cross paths in the compact space. Let’s see who comes out on top.

Size, Handling, and Design: First Impressions Matter

Before you even press the shutter, how a camera feels is a crucial part of its usability - especially in compact shooters where bulk is the enemy, but control is king.

Physically, the Canon G9 X and Olympus TG-630 are remarkably similar in width and height, both sitting snugly in most palms or coat pockets. The G9 X measures 98 x 58 x 31 mm and tips the scales at 209 grams; the TG-630 is slightly thicker at 98 x 66 x 22 mm and lighter at 167 grams. The Olympus's slimmer profile compensates for its sturdier, waterproof build, whereas the Canon packs more tech muscle in its blockier frame.

Ergonomically, the G9 X feels more refined, with a comfortable grip and well-placed shutter and control dials - rare for a compact. The Olympus’s control layout feels simpler and less tactile, which fits its casual, rugged vibe but might frustrate those who want finer manual control.

Side note: I always appreciate a well-thought-out grip on a compact; spilling your coffee on the controls is easy enough without awkward designs.

Controls and Interface: Button-Up or Simplified?

A quick glance at the top plates gives us our first insights into usability.

The Canon G9 X sports a more sophisticated control set with dedicated dials for aperture and shutter speed, an exposure compensation dial, and a clean mode dial. This not only gives quick access to manual settings but encourages creative experimentation - a significant plus for enthusiasts wanting to push beyond point-and-shoot limitations.

Conversely, the Olympus TG-630’s top plate is simpler - mostly relying on menu navigation and fewer physical controls. No dedicated exposure mode dials here, and while that keeps things straightforward, it limits quick creative adjustments. Given its target audience (adventure seekers and casual shooters), this simplicity makes sense.

For shooters who like to tinker on the go, the G9 X controls offer immediate nudges; for those who want to “set it and forget it,” Olympus gives plenty of automated confidence.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

When discussing image quality, the size and type of sensor are kingmakers - and here’s where the G9 X flexes its muscles.

The Canon G9 X features a 1-inch, 20-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor (13.2 x 8.8 mm sensor area), which is substantially larger than the Olympus TG-630’s 1/2.3-inch, 12-megapixel CMOS sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm sensor area).

The practical upshot? The G9 X captures more light per pixel, improving detail resolution, dynamic range, low-light performance, and color fidelity. DxOMark's benchmarks validate this: the G9 X scores an overall 63 points with excellent color depth (21.5 bits) and dynamic range (12.3 EV). The TG-630, untested in DxO's database, likely lags due to smaller sensor size and older architecture.

In real use, the G9 X produces sharper images with greater tonal nuances and cleaner shadows - perfect for landscapes or portraits demanding finer gradations of skin tones and texture.

The Olympus’s sensor, while modest, benefits from effective noise reduction and lens stabilization but exhibits noticeable softness and less vibrant color reproduction, especially beyond ISO 800.

Bottom line: If image quality is paramount, the G9 X takes the win decisively.

Screens and Viewfinders: What You See is What You Get

Neither camera includes an electronic viewfinder, a reality for many compacts - especially from their era - but both have LCDs for composing shots.

The Canon’s 3-inch touchscreen with 1040k dots offers vivid color rendering, responsive touch AF, and intuitive menu navigation. The touchscreen interface streamlines focusing and menu selection, a boon for quick shooting or vlog-style framing.

The Olympus’s 3-inch LCD sports 460k dots and no touch capability, feeling dim and less precise in comparison. For outdoor shooting, especially bright daylight, the Olympus screen is more susceptible to glare.

Though neither is perfect for heavy live view framing, the Canon’s screen gives a richer user experience, especially for critical focusing and reviewing.

Lens and Zoom Range: Versatility or Speed?

The G9 X boasts a fixed 28-84mm (3x) F2.0-4.9 zoom lens, and the TG-630 features a longer 28-140mm (5x) F3.9-5.9 lens.

The wider maximum aperture at the wide end on the Canon is exceptionally useful for low-light shooting and creating shallow depth-of-field effects for portraits - that creamy bokeh is enhanced by the sensor’s size.

On the flip side, the Olympus’s longer zoom provides more reach, great for casual wildlife snapshots or events where you can’t get close. However, the slower apertures mean it struggles more in dim lighting.

Neither lens is designed for professional-level sharpness, but the Canon’s lens optics deliver crisper results with less distortion and chromatic aberration.

For macro, the TG-630 shines with a 1 cm close-up focus range, beating the Canon’s 5 cm minimum focus distance - handy for insect or detail shots, though this camera disables manual focus, which might frustrate precision seekers.

Autofocus Performance: Speed and Accuracy in the Moment

The Canon G9 X uses contrast-detection autofocus combined with face detection and touch AF, offering continuous, single, tracking, selective, and center AF modes.

Olympus relies on contrast-detection AF with face detection but lacks touch AF and manual focus. The AF system can be slower and less reliable in low-contrast or low-light scenarios.

I tested both cameras under various conditions: The G9 X locked focus noticeably faster, especially in good light, and maintained it on moving subjects reasonably well (up to its continuous shooting speed constraints). Olympus sometimes hunts for focus, particularly at the telephoto end or macro extremes.

For portraits - especially with shallow DOF - Canon’s accurate AF helps nail eye focus more consistently, a vital advantage for capturing compelling skin tone details and expressions.

Build Quality and Durability: Ready for Adventure or Cozy Indoors?

Here’s where the Olympus TG-630 stakes its claim: ruggedness and weather sealing.

This camera is waterproof (up to 10m), dustproof, shockproof (2m drop tested), crushproof (100 kgf), and freezeproof (down to -10°C). On the other hand, the Canon G9 X is a delicate member of the large-sensor compact club - no sealing, no protection, just the usual care needed to avoid scratches and moisture.

If you’re an outdoor adventurer who wants snapshots on hikes, swims, or even snowy slopes, the Olympus’s rugged design offers peace of mind and fewer worries.

If your camera lives mostly in well-controlled environments, the Canon’s elegant build and less bulky design make for a more pleasant everyday carry.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Can They Go?

Both cameras use proprietary battery packs: Canon’s NB-13L and Olympus’s LI-50B, each rated for approx. 220 shots per charge.

That’s about standard for compact cameras of their era, not especially generous but sufficient for casual days out. Both take SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with one slot, keeping things simple.

No real winner here, but if you plan longer shoots, you’ll want a spare battery - these compacts don’t stretch endurance.

Connectivity and Extras: Wireless and Video Features

The G9 X offers built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for quick image transfer and remote control - a handy modern touch missing on the TG-630, which has no wireless features at all.

Both record HD video up to 1920x1080 at 60p, but neither supports 4K or advanced video features. The G9 X’s touch AF during video capture is a big plus for smoother focus pulls.

Neither has microphone or headphone jacks; videographers serious about sound should look elsewhere.

Sample Images and Genre Suitability - Who’s Best at What?

Let’s look at some real results from each camera to put the specs into practice.

Canon G9 X front Canon G9 X screen back Olympus TG 630 iHS front Olympus TG 630 iHS screen back

Portrait Photography

• Canon G9 X produces crisp portraits with pleasing bokeh and vibrant skin tones, helped by its large sensor and wide aperture. Eye detection and touch AF improve the hit rate.
• Olympus TG-630 portraits tend to be less sharp with shallower depth of field, resulting in flatter images. Macro mode helps close-ups but lacks focus precision.

Landscape Photography

Canon’s dynamic range and resolution excel here - higher detail, better highlight recovery, and richer colors.

Olympus’s smaller sensor yields noisy shadows and less detail, but the rugged build means you can shoot landscapes in harsher environments worry-free.

Wildlife and Sports

The Olympus’s longer zoom and ruggedness allow for casual wildlife shoots in varied conditions, though AF lag and lower image quality detract from serious applications.

The Canon’s faster AF and better burst rate favor sports photography but short zoom range limits reach.

Street and Travel Photography

The Olympus’s lighter weight and weather sealing make it great for travel adventures - you won’t worry about rain or drops.

The Canon’s superior image quality and more discreet design suit urban street photography better, especially in lower light.

Macro and Night/Astro Photography

Olympus edges out for macro with its 1cm minimum focus, but the Canon's low-light strengths give it an advantage at night shots, with cleaner images and less grain.

Scoring the Performance: Overall and By Genre

The Canon G9 X scores overall higher in image quality and creative control metrics, while the Olympus TG-630 leads in durability, zoom reach, and macro functionality.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Buy Which?

This comparison boils down to what you value more - image quality and creative control, or ruggedness and zoom versatility.

Choose the Canon PowerShot G9 X if:

• You want compact, pocket-friendly cameras with DSLR-like image quality
• Enthusiast-level manual controls and touch AF matter to you
• You shoot portraits, landscapes, or street scenes in mostly dry, controlled conditions
• Wireless connectivity and video touch AF are bonuses for your workflow
• You’re willing to carry extra care (and batteries) to protect a delicate but powerful tool

Choose the Olympus TG-630 iHS if:

• You crave a tough, waterproof camera to accompany outdoor adventures, sports, or travel where the environment is unpredictable
• Longer zoom reach and macro close-ups excite you more than tight image fidelity
• Simplicity and durability trump fine manual control and advanced customization
• You want a lightweight, dependable point-and-shoot without fuss

In 2024, both models show their age and have been surpassed by newer cameras, but if budget or niche use brings you to these two, now you have a grounded comparison from someone who’s been deep in the trenches of camera testing.

Closing Note: Perspective Matters in a Compact World

Compact cameras often get overlooked in the shadow of smartphones and mirrorless powerhouses, but those who invest the time uncover surprising versatility and quality in these small packages.

The Canon G9 X is a compact marvel for the imaging purist, while the Olympus TG-630 is a rugged buddy for the adventurous spirit.

Choosing between them means thinking hard about where, how, and why you shoot - and trust me, that intentionality always pays off in the richness of your photographic journeys.

Hope this guided tour through the Canon G9 X and Olympus TG-630’s world gives you clarity and inspires confident camera choices. Happy shooting!