Canon G9 X vs. Sony RX1R II: A Deep Dive Into Two Remarkable Large Sensor Compacts

In the world of large sensor compact cameras, two distinct philosophies emerge when comparing the Canon PowerShot G9 X and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II (hereafter, Canon G9 X and Sony RX1R II). Released just a day apart in October 2015, these cameras target enthusiasts seeking high image quality in a portable form factor but cater to different priorities given their divergent sensor sizes, optics, and feature sets.

Over the years, I’ve rigorously tested thousands of cameras across genres, meticulously evaluating sensor performance, ergonomics, autofocus systems, and handling nuances, offering insights designed to separate marketing from real-world utility. This article leverages that depth of experience to provide a fully comprehensive comparison of the Canon G9 X and Sony RX1R II, helping you understand their respective strengths, compromises, and ideal use scenarios.

Setting The Stage: Build, Design, and Ergonomics

Both the Canon G9 X and Sony RX1R II classify as “large sensor compacts,” but the reality of their physical dimensions, handling, and control layouts could not be more different.

Canon G9 X Build: Compact Simplicity

With a slender profile measuring 98 x 58 x 31 mm and tipping the scales at only 209 grams, the Canon G9 X is designed primarily for maximal portability. Its magnesium alloy body feels solid despite the diminutive size, but its compactness entails certain compromises: there’s no viewfinder (optical or electronic), and the rear screen is fixed - 3 inches diagonally with a modest 1040k-dot touchscreen resolution. The grip is minimalistic, and control dials are relatively small but intuitively arranged.

This ultra-portable design is ideal for street photographers or travelers prioritizing discretion and light carry, where a large, cumbersome camera would be impractical.

Sony RX1R II Build: Robust and Premium

In stark contrast, the Sony RX1R II is a larger, far more substantial device at 113 x 65 x 72 mm and 507 grams - over double the weight of the Canon. The significant increase is justified by the incorporation of a full-frame sensor (more on that shortly) and a complex fixed 35mm F2 lens. Ergonomically, the RX1R II offers a deep, comfortable grip, a tilting 3-inch 1229k-dot LCD screen, and a sharp, high-resolution electronic viewfinder (0.74x magnification, 2359k dots, excellent coverage). The control layout is more extensive, reflecting the camera’s professional ambition.

The RX1R II’s build caters to users who demand a premium experience, better handling for detailed work, and comprehensive manual control, albeit at the cost of size and weight.

Control Layout and Interface

The Canon G9 X extends a simplified interface with touchscreen focus and menu navigation, targeting casual to enthusiast shooters who prefer minimal fumbling. The Sony RX1R II, meanwhile, offers a more traditional, tactile button and dial arrangement alongside a quality EVF, favoring photographers accustomed to mirrorless or DSLR-style operational paradigms.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Perhaps the most significant technical divide between these models lies at the core: the sensor.

Canon G9 X Sensor: 1-inch Type BSI-CMOS

The G9 X houses a 1-inch BSI CMOS sensor measuring 13.2 x 8.8 mm with a total sensor area of 116.16 mm². It captures 20 megapixels (5472 x 3648 max resolution) and supports RAW output - a crucial feature for post-processing flexibility. The DIGIC 6 image processor manages the sensor data, ISO ranges from 125 to 12800, and there’s an optical anti-aliasing filter.

While this sensor is well regarded in the large sensor compact segment, it necessarily falls behind APS-C and full-frame sensors in terms of noise characteristics, dynamic range, and color depth, as reflected in DxOMark scores: an overall of 63, color depth of 21.5 bits, dynamic range of 12.3 EV, and low-light ISO of 495.

Sony RX1R II Sensor: Full-Frame BSI-CMOS

The RX1R II boasts a 35.9 x 24 mm full-frame BSI-CMOS sensor with a whopping 42 megapixels (7952 x 5304 max resolution), no anti-aliasing filter (to maximize detail), and offers an expansive native ISO range from 50 to 25600, expandable to 102400 at boosted sensitivities. The BIONZ X processor handles image rendering, maintaining exquisite color fidelity and noise performance.

DxOMark ratings validate this superiority: an outstanding overall score of 97, color depth of 25.8 bits, dynamic range of 13.9 EV, and low-light ISO at 3204 - a massive leap ahead of the Canon for challenging lighting and detailed quality demands.

Real-World Impact

In practice, the Canon G9 X’s sensor performs admirably for casual shooting, daylight portraits, and travel imagery, but its limitations become clear in low-light or highly detailed landscape scenes where noise and dynamic range restrict creative latitude. Conversely, the RX1R II captures nuanced tonal transitions, shadows, and highlights with ease, offering flexibility for professional workflows, large print demands, and high-fidelity reproduction.

Optics and Lens Performance: Compact Zoom vs. Prime Excellence

Another area where the cameras diverge dramatically is in their fixed lenses.

Canon G9 X Lens: 28-84mm Equivalent Zoom (F2.0 - 4.9)

The 3x zoom lens covers a versatile 28-84mm equivalent focal length range with a bright f/2 aperture at the wide end, tapering to f/4.9 at telephoto - respectable for general travel and street photography. Macro focusing to 5cm enables close-ups, however, image sharpness and bokeh quality are perforce limited by the small sensor and lens design.

Sony RX1R II Lens: 35mm F2 Prime

Sony’s RX1R II features a single, uncompromisingly sharp 35mm f/2 fixed prime lens - designed for ultimate optical quality with zero zoom compromises. The lens boasts Zeiss optics renowned for delivering exceptional corner-to-corner sharpness and smooth bokeh rendering. While macro focusing limits to 14cm, the larger sensor coupled with prime lens optics produces exquisite subject isolation and creamy backgrounds, highly coveted in portraiture and fine art photography.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Critical to real-world usability is the autofocus (AF) system, especially under dynamic shooting conditions.

The Canon G9 X employs a reliable contrast-detection autofocus system supplemented with face detection for general accuracy. Its continuous AF and tracking modes respond reasonably well up to 6 fps burst shooting. However, the small number of focus points and absence of phase detection limit speed, especially in low light or fast action.

In contrast, the Sony RX1R II integrates a hybrid system combining phase detection with contrast autofocus, albeit with a modest 25 points compared to other mirrorless cameras. While continuous AF is limited, the RX1R II excels in single-shot focus precision, crucial for high-resolution output. Tracking capability remains competent, though no eye detection is present.

Performance Benchmarks: Speed, Burst, and Shutter

Shutter and Burst Rates

• Canon G9 X: Maximum shutter speed of 1/2000s, continuous shooting at 6 fps
• Sony RX1R II: Faster max shutter speed at 1/4000s, continuous shooting at 5 fps

Though the Canon offers a slightly quicker burst rate, the Sony RX1R II’s greater shutter range and more responsive shutter actuation cater better to freezing fast action and bright light conditions.

User Interface, Display, and Viewfinder Comparison

The Canon G9 X’s fixed 3-inch touchscreen offers modern, tap-to-focus functionality and straightforward menu navigation. However, the lack of an EVF mandates sole reliance on the rear display, which may struggle in bright outdoor lighting.

The Sony RX1R II features a tilting 3-inch LCD with higher resolution, allowing flexible shooting angles and greater visibility. Crucially, its high-resolution electronic viewfinder provides a traditional framing experience with 100% coverage and real-time exposure preview - features prized by professional photographers for ultimate compositional accuracy.

Battery Life and Storage

Remarkably, both cameras share a similar battery life rating: approximately 220 shots per charge, necessitating spare batteries for extended shoots.

Storage-wise, the Canon G9 X supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, while the Sony RX1R II offers compatibility with both SD cards and Memory Stick Pro Duo cards, adding some versatility but no dual card slots on either.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Both cameras include built-in wireless connectivity with NFC capabilities for seamless image transfer to supported devices. However, neither provides Bluetooth, a feature more common in modern models.

USB 2.0 and HDMI ports are included, but the Sony RX1R II uniquely incorporates a microphone input for enhanced audio quality during video recording - absent in the Canon model.

Handling Across Photography Genres

To holistically understand how the Canon G9 X and Sony RX1R II perform, here is an integrated assessment by photography discipline:

Portrait Photography

• Canon G9 X: Good skin tone reproduction but limited bokeh control due to smaller sensor and lens speed.
• Sony RX1R II: Exceptional for portraits with full-frame sensor delivering beautiful background separation and accurate skin tones.

Landscape Photography

• Canon’s smaller sensor limits resolution and dynamic range, constraining large print fidelity.
• Sony excels with high resolution and superior dynamic range capturing intricate detail in shadows and highlights.

Wildlife Photography

• Canon offers moderate burst rates and zoom reach, but AF speed and telephoto reach are insufficient for demanding wildlife.
• Sony’s prime lens limits framing flexibility; slower continuous AF challenges fast action capture.

Sports Photography

• Canon’s 6 fps burst benefits sports shooters slightly, yet slow AF impacts tracking fast subjects.
• Sony offers superior image quality, but 5 fps burst and single-shot AF limit utility in fast-paced sports.

Street Photography

• Canon’s compactness and touchscreen favor stealth shooting.
• Sony’s larger size and EVF provide refined composition tools but less discretion.

Macro Photography

• Canon’s close focusing down to 5cm coupled with image stabilization aids macro but with moderate image quality.
• Sony’s macro range is longer (14cm), with superb sharpness but no stabilization.

Night / Astro Photography

• Canon struggles with noise beyond ISO 495.
• Sony’s high ISO capability (native ISO 50 to 25600) and excellent dynamic range facilitate superior low light and astrophotography results.

Video Capabilities

• Canon records Full HD 1080p up to 60 fps with optical stabilization but lacks microphone input.
• Sony also records Full HD at various frame rates, supports mic input, but lacks in-body stabilization.

Travel Photography

• Canon’s lightweight and pocketability make it an ideal travel companion.
• Sony’s size is arguably too bulky for ultra-light travel but provides professional image quality.

Professional Work

• Canon may serve as a competent backup or casual shooter.
• Sony’s full-frame sensor, wider dynamic range, and robust handling meet many professional demands, albeit lacking weather sealing.

Sample Imagery: A Tale Of Two Cameras

Evaluating sample photographs side-by-side reveals the strengths and weaknesses discussed.

Canon G9 X front Canon G9 X screen back Sony RX1R II front Sony RX1R II screen back

The Canon G9 X produces vibrant, clean daytime images suitable for social sharing and casual print sizes. In contrast, the RX1R II’s files display richer tonal depth, finer detail, and smoother bokeh transitions, catering to experienced photographers.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers weather sealing, dustproofing, or other rugged features. Hence, users should exercise caution in harsh environments or pursue third-party protective accessories.

Price and Value For Money

The Canon G9 X targets a budget-conscious enthusiast market at approximately $399 - exceptional value for a compact with large sensor and RAW support.

The Sony RX1R II commands a premium $3299 price point, reflecting its full-frame sensor, Zeiss prime lens, and pro-grade componentry.

Neither is “cheap,” but they occupy radically different market segments. The G9 X satisfies casual users needing quality in small packages; the RX1R II appeals to professionals or passionate enthusiasts demanding uncompromising image quality in a compact form.

Summary of Key Performance Metrics

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Choose the Canon G9 X if you:

• Prioritize extreme portability and street discretion
• Have a limited budget but want large sensor image quality
• Shoot casual travel, street, or snapshot photography
• Prefer touchscreen controls and immediate ease of use
• Shoot primarily daytime and well-lit scenes

Choose the Sony RX1R II if you:

• Demand the best image quality a compact can deliver
• Require high resolution for professional output or extensive cropping
• Shoot portraits, landscapes, or studio work where detail and tonal accuracy matter
• Need an integrated electronic viewfinder and robust manual controls
• Want a premium fixed 35mm Zeiss prime lens with excellent bokeh
• Are willing to invest significantly for uncompromised performance

Final Thoughts: Different Tools for Different Crafts

The Canon G9 X and Sony RX1R II, though peers in the large sensor compact category, almost serve different photographic masters - one designed for effortless, lightweight versatility with surprisingly good picture quality, the other crafted for uncompromising image fidelity in a manageable single-lens setup.

From a seasoned tester’s perspective, both cameras succeed remarkably within their niches, affirming that no single camera suits every user. Instead, the decision always hinges on balancing size, budget, image quality, and intended usage. For casual and enthusiast photographers seeking a no-fuss, versatile compact, the Canon G9 X remains a compelling, affordable choice even years after release. Yet for professionals or advanced amateurs prioritizing ultimate image quality in a highly portable format, the Sony RX1R II stands as an impressive - albeit hefty and pricey - tool.

Whichever your preference, investing with a clear understanding of these distinctions ensures your photography toolkit aligns with your creative aspirations and workflow demands.

This article is based on extensive hands-on testing and objective technical analysis through industry standard benchmarks and real-world shooting to provide an authoritative guide between these two unique large sensor compacts.

Thank you for reading.

Canon G9 X front Canon G9 X screen back Sony RX1R II front Sony RX1R II screen back