Canon G9 X vs Samsung EX2F: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Compact Contenders

When it comes to compact cameras with large-ish sensors, few models stir intrigue like the Canon PowerShot G9 X and Samsung EX2F. I’ve spent considerable time with both, having tested these cameras across varied shooting scenarios, from portraits to night skies. Let’s dig deep beyond their spec sheets, sharing practical takeaways, subtle performance differences, and where each camera truly shines or falls short.

First Impressions: Size, Feel, and Build Quality

The Canon G9 X feels noticeably more pocketable, with its dimensions of 98x58x31mm and weighing only 209 grams - this is a camera you’ll barely notice in your jacket pocket. The Samsung EX2F, meanwhile, is chunkier at 112x62x29mm with a heftier 294 grams, which makes it feel more substantial but slightly less grab-and-go friendly.

Handling in hand? The G9 X’s minimalist design rewards photographers who prefer simple, clean controls and a light footprint. The EX2F offers a more traditional grip-style body, which can feel reassuring for extended handheld shooting. However, the rubber coating on Canon’s camera edges does add to its grip comfort despite the smaller size.

Build quality-wise, neither offers weather sealing, so be cautious in damp or dusty environments. Both are primarily aimed at casual to enthusiast shooters who value portability over professional ruggedness.

Moving to design detail, the control layouts displayed in the top views demonstrate Canon’s more streamlined, button-light approach versus Samsung’s cluster of dedicated controls that cater to users wanting quick access to settings.

If you want direct tactile controls and more tangible dials - think shutter speed dial and aperture ring - Samsung leans more traditional here. But Canon’s DIGIC 6 processor and touchscreen interface keep things modern and intuitive.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Size Matters

Here’s where the Canon G9 X pulls ahead instantly: the 1" BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 13.2x8.8mm provides a much larger imaging area than the Samsung’s 1/1.7” sensor at 7.44x5.58mm. This translates into roughly 116mm² vs approximately 41.5mm² of sensor surface area - a near threefold difference!

Larger sensor generally means better light gathering, improved dynamic range, and higher resolution potential. Canon’s 20-megapixel sensor offers a max resolution of 5472x3648 pixels, capturing more detail and smoother tonal transitions.

Samsung’s 12-megapixel sensor at 4000x3000 max resolution is decent but inherently limited by physical sensor size. Its smaller photosites struggle more in low light, which is evident in real-world ISO tests.

The results? Canon achieves a DxO Mark overall score of 63, notably higher than Samsung’s 48, reflecting Canon’s superior color depth (21.5 vs 20.0 stops) and dynamic range (12.3 vs 11.5 EV).

In practical terms, you’ll see cleaner shadows, more nuanced skin tones, and stronger highlight retention in Canon’s images - particularly useful for landscape photographers chasing fine gradations in sky and foliage.

Autofocus Performance: Precision vs Speed

Canon’s autofocus system leverages contrast detection with face detection and various AF modes like touch, continuous, single, and tracking abilities, giving more flexibility even if it lacks phase detection. The number of focus points isn’t specified, but the camera covers multiple areas including face detection, accessible via touchscreen.

Samsung EX2F, by contrast, relies solely on contrast-detection AF without face detection or advanced tracking modes. It doesn’t offer continuous or live view AF options either, limiting its responsiveness.

For fast-moving subjects like wildlife or sports, Canon’s AF is noticeably faster and more reliable in maintaining focus. While neither camera is a blazing speed demon compared to DSLRs or mirrorless peers, the G9 X’s AF provides more confidence in capturing sharp images.

Portrait Photography: Bokeh and Skin Tones

Portrait lovers will appreciate Canon's lens with an aperture range of f/2.0-4.9 offering better low-light performance and background separation compared to Samsung's f/1.4-2.7 lens but on a smaller sensor. The advantage of Canon’s larger sensor size balances with Samsung’s brighter lens at the wide end - Samsung’s f/1.4 helps in very dim conditions - but its smaller sensor limits depth-of-field control.

Because the G9 X shoots at 20 megapixels and has an advanced AF with face and touch detection, you’ll find sharper, more natural skin tones and smoother bokeh rendering.

Samsung’s EX2F images sometimes exhibit harsher transitions in out-of-focus areas and a tendency towards slight softness, partly due to its lower resolution and smaller sensor area.

Real-world sample portraits from both cameras speak volumes here.

Canon G9 X front Canon G9 X screen back Samsung EX2F front Samsung EX2F screen back

Canon’s rendering is warmer and more pleasing to the eye, better retaining fine detail especially in hair strands and eyes. Samsung’s images tend to be contrastier but less forgiving in tonal gradations on faces.

Landscape and Travel Photography: Sharpness, Dynamic Range, and Portability

For landscapes, dynamic range and resolution are king. Canon G9 X’s larger sensor brings a marked improvement capturing wide tonal ranges without blowing out highlights or losing shadow detail. The 20MP output allows cropping without sacrificing print quality.

Samsung’s EX2F cannot quite keep up at ISO 3200 maximum native sensitivity, with higher noise and less detail retention in shadow regions. It is perhaps more suited for casual snapshots on trips rather than serious landscape work.

Without weather-sealing on either, landscape pros will need protective covers in rough environments.

From a travel perspective, the Canon’s lighter weight and pocket-friendly dimensions make it a more versatile companion when combined with its better battery life (~220 shots vs unknown but likely shorter for Samsung). Samsung’s articulation screen does win points for composing tricky angles or selfies - its AMOLED display is vibrant, albeit with no touchscreen.

Wildlife and Sports: Burst Rate and Tracking

Shooting fast wildlife or sports requires burst rates and autofocus tracking. Canon manages 6fps continuous shooting, which is decent in its class, with AF tracking support.

Samsung lacks continuous AF and burst details are not listed, indicating limited capacity. The EX2F is not an ideal choice for action photography needing definite focus tracking.

Additionally, Canon’s optical image stabilization (OIS) further helps capture sharper shots handheld at telephoto reach; Samsung also features OIS but lens reach is comparatively shorter (24-80mm) vs Canon’s 28-84mm with a 2.7x crop factor.

Street and Macro Photography: Discretion and Precision

Street photographers are often looking for discreet, portable cameras with fast, silent operation. Canon’s slim profile and quick touchscreen controls fit this bill well, though its lack of an electronic viewfinder might be a dealbreaker for some.

Samsung has an optional electronic viewfinder, but none included by default, which hinders eye-level shooting ease in bright conditions.

Macro capabilities are slightly better on Canon, able to focus down to 5cm compared to Samsung’s unspecified but reportedly less optimal macro function.

Precision focusing, paired with image stabilization, gives Canon an edge if you like close-up shots with a creamy background.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO and Exposure Modes

Here, Canon G9 X’s superior high ISO performance stands out. The sensor handles up to ISO 12800 natively (though noise becomes visible above 3200), whereas Samsung caps at ISO 3200 with limited usable low light performance.

Both cameras support manual exposure modes with shutter and aperture priority, giving control over long exposures needed for astrophotography. Canon also has timelapse recording functionality, useful for creative night photography sequences, while Samsung lacks this feature.

Video Capabilities: Quality and Stabilization

Both cameras offer Full HD 1080p video, but Canon’s G9 X provides additional frame rates: 60p and 30p, whereas Samsung only lists 1080p without frame rate variety.

Neither supports external microphone or headphone ports, limiting audio capture quality for serious videographers. The G9 X has a touchscreen to adjust focus during video, handy for smooth rack focus effects.

Optical image stabilization on both helps smooth handheld footage, but Canon’s newer DIGIC 6 processor manages compression better for less artifacting in complex scenes.

Battery Life, Connectivity, and Storage Practicalities

Canon G9 X uses NB-13L battery rated around 220 shots per charge, while Samsung’s battery life is undocumented but expected to be similar or less.

Wireless connectivity is built-in for both, but Canon offers NFC for easy pairing - Samsung lacks Bluetooth or NFC, so transferring photos wirelessly or tethering is more cumbersome.

Storage choices are equal: both support SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with a single card slot.

Overall Performance and Scoring Summary

Let’s see how the two stack up across multiple dimensions of usability and image quality.

Canon G9 X scores consistently higher for image quality, autofocus, and versatility, while Samsung's strengths lie in lens brightness and its AMOLED articulated screen.

For genre-specific performance:

Canon dominates in portrait, landscape, wildlife, and night photography - areas demanding sensor excellence and autofocus accuracy. Samsung retains some relevance for street and travel where a brighter lens and articulated display may be appreciated, but only if you don’t prioritize image quality.

Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Canon G9 X if:

• You want superior image quality with a large sensor and 20MP resolution.
• You shoot portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or night scenes.
• You need touchscreen AF control and better burst shooting.
• Portability with excellent photo performance is your priority.
• You want better battery life, wireless convenience, and future-proofing.

Opt for the Samsung EX2F if:

• You prefer the brightest lens for wide-angle low-light shooting.
• An articulated AMOLED screen and optional electronic viewfinder appeal.
• You shoot mostly casual street or travel shots where convenience beats pixel count.
• Cost isn’t a barrier but you desire a smaller sensor camera possibly with unique color renditions.
• You want more manual dials and physical controls over touchscreen interfaces.

Final Thoughts: The Evolution of the Large Sensor Compact

The Canon G9 X exemplifies how sensor size and processor advancements from 2015 still outpace older small sensor compacts like the 2012 Samsung EX2F. As camera enthusiasts, we see clear benefits from Canon’s focus on marrying portability with strong imaging capabilities.

Samsung’s EX2F holds nostalgia value and some distinctness in lens speed and design, but in raw photographic performance, it shows its age when compared head-to-head.

Dear Canon, if you’re reading, please bring back the G-series compacts with an updated viewfinder and native 4K video - it’s time!

I hope this detailed comparison arms you with the knowledge to confidently choose your next compact camera. Whether you lean towards Canon’s refined imaging or appreciate Samsung’s tactile controls and bright lens, you’re getting solid gear for enthusiasts.

Feel free to drop questions or share your shooting experiences with these cameras!

Article and testing by a photography gear reviewer with over 15 years of digital camera hands-on experience.