I generally use my Samsung Galaxy S9+ for everyday video and photos, since it is always with me. It shoots great 4k video and amazing pictures for a phone. It is also incredibly convenient for basic photo editing and posting to social media. The S9+ is one of the best smartphone cameras available today, the customization, user controls and image quality is genuinely impressive, even when compared to point-and-shoot, mirrorless and DSLR cameras.
While my phone is an excellent camera, sometimes I need better low light performance or the ability to zoom in without sacrificing image quality. That is where my Canon G9x Mark ii comes in. Small enough to fit into a pocket, discreet enough to shoot in almost any environment without disturbing others, it captures excellent pictures despite its small size. Since recent price drops and sales, the G9x Mark ii is cost effective at around $400. While not its strong suit, it does shoot decent, optically stabilized 1080p video. If you primarily shoot video, the quality leaves a lot to be desired and I would consider other options like the Panasonic and Sony options in the similar price range. Also, if you intend to use the camera to take selfies or shoot a vlog, I would recommend upgrading to the Canon G7x that has a screen that flips up, allowing you to frame your shot while the lens is pointed at you.
There are loads of great options for high-end point-and-shoot cameras from Sony, Panasonic, Fuji and Olympus. I personally love the G9x Mark ii for its simplicity, size, image quality and build quality and would recommend it anyone looking to step up beyond their smartphone camera.
My everyday camera kit:
- Canon G9x Mark ii
- 2 Wasabi Power extra batteries
- Canon Battery Charger
- LoPro camera case
- SanDisk Extreme Plus SD cards (64GB and 32GB)
Here are some sample shots from he G9x Mark ii (no correction or retouching has been done):