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Canon G9 X vs Panasonic S2

Portability
92
Imaging
51
Features
63
Overall
55
Canon PowerShot G9 X front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
36
Features
29
Overall
33

Canon G9 X vs Panasonic S2 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
  • Launched October 2015
  • Later Model is Canon G9 X II
Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
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Canon G9 X vs Panasonic S2 Overview

Here, we are looking at the Canon G9 X and Panasonic S2, former is a Large Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Panasonic. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the G9 X (20MP) and S2 (14MP) and the G9 X (1") and S2 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The G9 X was manufactured 3 years after the S2 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a full comparison, here is a short summation of how the G9 X grades against the S2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon G9 X over the Panasonic S2

 G9 X S2 
LaunchedOctober 2015January 2012More modern by 46 months
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1040k230kSharper display (+810k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Canon G9 X

 S2 G9 X 

Common features in the Canon G9 X and Panasonic S2

 G9 X S2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Canon G9 X vs Panasonic S2 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon G9 X features outside 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 Panasonic S2 has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs).

Examine the Canon G9 X and Panasonic S2 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select at that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the G9 X and the S2.

Canon G9 X vs Panasonic S2 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the G9 X and S2 is 92 and 96 respectively.

Canon G9 X vs Panasonic S2 top view buttons comparison

Canon G9 X vs Panasonic S2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizes just by looking at specifications. The image here will help give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the G9 X and S2.

Plainly, both of those cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The G9 X featuring a larger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field easier and the Canon G9 X will resolve more detail due to its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The younger G9 X is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon G9 X vs Panasonic S2 sensor size comparison

Canon G9 X vs Panasonic S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G9 X vs Panasonic S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon G9 X
Portrait photography with Panasonic S2
63
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
features face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
external flash not possible
33
good megapixels (14MP)
includes face detection focus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon G9 X Street photography info
Panasonic S2 Street photography info
80
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
supports focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (209g)
screen is fixed
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (112g)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon G9 X
Sports photography with Panasonic S2
54
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
features tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames per second)
bad battery pack (220 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
39
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
great battery (280 shots)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon G9 X Travel photography features
Panasonic S2 Travel photography features
77
lighter than competition in class (209 grams)
supports focus by touch
decent megapixels (20MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
bad battery pack (220 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
70
great battery (280 per charge)
lighter than competition (112 grams)
good megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon G9 X Landscape photography features
Panasonic S2 Landscape photography features
69
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
bad battery pack (220 CIPA)
40
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
great battery (280 per charge)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon G9 X as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic S2 as a Vlogging camera
39
reasonably wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (209g)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone support
32
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
lighter than competition (112 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic support
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Canon G9 X vs Panasonic S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G9 X and Panasonic S2
 Canon PowerShot G9 XPanasonic Lumix DMC-S2
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot G9 X Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
Class Large Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2015-10-12 2012-01-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 5472 x 3648 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-84mm (3.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 2.7 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 8s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.00 m (at Auto ISO) 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, on, slow synchro, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 209g (0.46 pounds) 112g (0.25 pounds)
Physical dimensions 98 x 58 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 images 280 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-13L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $399 $109