• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 84.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon S5100 advantages over Canon G9X

  • More telephoto lens reach
    140 mm vs 84 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Thinner
    21 mm vs 30 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    115g vs 206g
    Lighter weight

Canon G9X advantages over Nikon S5100

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.41 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/2.7
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Newer
    9 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 12.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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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 Nikon S640

Nikon S5100
Nikon S640
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $250
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life
Canon G9X
Nikon S640
  • $369
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $250
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Nikon S570

Nikon S5100
Nikon S570
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
Canon G9X
Nikon S570
  • $369
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Thinner

Compared to Olympus VG-120

Nikon S5100
Olympus VG-120
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure
  • $121
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
Canon G9X
Olympus VG-120
  • $369
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $121
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Thinner

Compared to Canon S110

Nikon S5100
Canon S110
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $249
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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 Canon G9X Mark II

Nikon S5100
Canon G9X Mark II
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Thinner
  • $449
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon G9X
Canon G9X Mark II
  • $369
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $449
  • 1 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Compare Other Cameras?