• 1 inch 115.3mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 84.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon S2 advantages over Canon G9X

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.85 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 270 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 6.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon G9X advantages over Nikon S2

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Higher-res screen
    346k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S2

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon G9X

Review Excerpt

  • Smallest 1-inch sensor camera available; Slips in a pants pocket almost unnoticed; Bright lens at wide-angle; Great image quality; Swift 6.5 fps JPEG burst shooting; Intuitive touch-screen control; In-camera Wi-Fi gets images onto your phone easily

  • Limited 3x zoom range; Tighter wide-angle than competitors; JPEG buffer limited to 10 frames; very slow bracketing / raw burst shooting; Touch-screen menus take lots of tapping; Poor battery life

The Competition

Compared to Canon S110

Nikon S2
Canon S110
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $249
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
Canon G9X
Canon S110
  • $369
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $249
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Shoots 24p video

Compared to Pentax Q7

Nikon S2
Pentax Q7
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon G9X
Pentax Q7
  • $369
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Nikon S2
Samsung NX Mini
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
Canon G9X
Samsung NX Mini
  • $369
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Pentax Q-S1

Nikon S2
Pentax Q-S1
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon G9X
Pentax Q-S1
  • $369
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Canon G9X Mark II

Nikon S2
Canon G9X Mark II
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $449
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon G9X
Canon G9X Mark II
  • $369
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $449
  • 1 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Built-in Bluetooth
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