Canon G9 X Owners Manual

							31
Indicator Display
The indicator on the back of the camera (= 4) lights up or blinks 
depending on the camera status.
Color Indicator 
StatusCamera Status
Green Blinking Starting up, recording/reading/transmitting 
images, shooting long exposures (
=
 92, 
= 93), connected to a computer ( = 174), 
connecting/transmitting via Wi-Fi, or display 
off ( =
 26, = 161,  = 162)
Orange On Charging via USB
 ● When the indicator blinks green, never turn the camera off, open 
the memory card/battery cover, or shake or jolt the camera, which 
may corrupt images or damage the camera or memory card.
Confirming Input and Returning to the 
Previous Screen
 zPress the [] button.
 ● For some functions, [] is not displayed and cannot be used.
Auto Mode /
Hybrid Auto Mode
Other Shooting Modes
P Mode
Tv, Av, M, and C Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Before Use
Index
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics  
						

							32
Clock
You can check the current time.
 zPress and hold the [] button.
 zThe current time appears.
 zIf you hold the camera vertically while 
using the clock function, it will switch to 
vertical display.
 zTurn the [] ring to change the display 
color.
 z Press the [] button again to cancel the 
clock display.
 ● When the camera is off, press and hold the [] button, then 
press the power button to display the clock.
Auto Mode /
Hybrid Auto Mode
Other Shooting Modes
P Mode
Tv, Av, M, and C Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Before Use
Index
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics  
						

							33
Shooting with Camera-Determined Settings
For fully automatic selection of the optimal settings for specific scenes, 
simply let the camera determine the subject and shooting conditions.
Shooting (Smart Auto)
 Still Images  Movies
1 Turn the camera on.
 zPress the power button.
 zThe startup screen is displayed.
2 Enter [] mode.
 zSet the mode dial to [].
 zAim the camera at the subject. The 
camera will make a slight clicking noise 
as it determines the scene.
 zIcons representing the scene and image 
stabilization mode are displayed in 
the upper left of the screen ( =
 37, 
= 38).
 z Frames displayed around any detected 
subjects indicate that they are in focus.
Auto Mode / 
Hybrid Auto Mode
Convenient mode for easy shots with greater control 
over shooting
Other Shooting Modes
P Mode
Tv, Av, M, and C Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Before Use
Index
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode /
Hybrid Auto Mode  
						

							34
2) Shoot.
 zPress the shutter button all the way down.
 zAs the camera shoots, a shutter sound 
is played, and in low-light conditions 
when you have raised the flash, it fires 
automatically.
 zKeep the camera still until the shutter 
sound ends.
 zAfter displaying your shot, the camera will 
revert to the shooting screen.
Recording Movies
1)
 Start recording.
 z Press the movie button. The camera beeps 
once as recording begins, and [Rec] is 
displayed with the elapsed time (1).
 z Black bars are displayed on the top and 
bottom edges of the screen, and the 
subject is slightly enlarged. The black 
bars indicate image areas not recorded.
 zFrames displayed around any detected 
faces indicate that they are in focus.
 zOnce recording begins, take your finger 
off the movie button.
2)   Resize the subject and recompose 
the shot as needed.
 zTo resize the subject, repeat the 
operations in step 3.   
However, note that the sound of camera 
operations will be recorded. Note that 
movies shot at zoom factors shown in 
blue will look grainy.
 z When you recompose shots, the 
focus, brightness, and colors will be 
automatically adjusted.
(
1 )
3 Compose the shot.
 z
To zoom in and enlarge the subject, move 
the zoom lever toward [] (telephoto), 
and to zoom away from the subject, move 
it toward [
] (wide angle). (A zoom 
bar (1) showing the zoom position is 
displayed, along with the range of focus 
(2).)
4 Shoot.
Shooting Still Images
1)
 Focus.
 z Press the shutter button halfway. The 
camera beeps twice after focusing, and 
frames are displayed to indicate image 
areas in focus.
 zSeveral frames are displayed when 
multiple areas are in focus.
 zIf [Raise the flash] is displayed, move 
the [] switch to raise the flash. It will fire 
when shooting. If you prefer not to use 
the flash, push it down with your finger, 
into the camera.
( 1 )
(2)
Other Shooting Modes
P Mode
Tv, Av, M, and C Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Before Use
Index
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode /
Hybrid Auto Mode  
						

							35
3 Shoot.
 zFollow step 4 in “Shooting (Smart Auto)” 
(= 33) to shoot a still image.
 z
The camera records both a still image 
and movie clip. The clip, which ends with 
the still image and a shutter sound, forms 
a single chapter in the digest movie.
 ● Battery life is shorter in this mode than in [] mode, because 
digest movies are recorded for each shot.
 ● A digest movie may not be recorded if you shoot a still image 
immediately after turning the camera on, choosing [] mode, or 
operating the camera in other ways.
 ● Sounds and vibrations from operating the camera will be recorded 
in digest movies.
 ●Digest movie image quality is automatically set to [] for 
NTSC or [] for PAL and cannot be changed ( = 160). ●
Sounds are not played when you press the shutter button halfway 
or trigger the self-timer ( = 164). ●
Digest movies are saved as separate movie files in the following 
cases even if they were recorded on the same day in [] mode. -The digest movie file size reaches approximately 4 GB, or the 
total recording time reaches approximately 16 minutes and 40 
seconds.
 - The digest movie is protected ( = 113). -
Daylight saving time ( = 20) or time zone (= 162) settings 
are changed.
 - A new folder is created ( = 159). ●
Recorded shutter sounds cannot be modified or erased. ●If you prefer to record digest movies without still images, adjust 
the setting in advance. Choose MENU ( = 29) ► [7] tab ► 
[Digest Type] ► [No Stills].
 ● Individual chapters can be edited ( = 126).
3) Finish recording.
 z
Press the movie button again to stop 
recording. The camera beeps twice as 
recording stops.
 z Recording will stop automatically when 
the memory card becomes full.
 ● The flash firing during shots indicates that the camera has 
automatically attempted to ensure optimal colors in the main 
subject and background (Multi-area White Balance).
Shooting in Hybrid Auto Mode
 Still Images  Movies
You can make a short movie of the day just by shooting still images. The 
camera records 2 – 4-second clips of scenes before each shot, which are 
later combined in a digest movie.
1 Enter [] mode.
 zFollow step 2 in “Shooting (Smart Auto)” 
(= 33) and choose [].
2 Compose the shot.
 z
Follow steps 3 – 4 in “Shooting (Smart 
Auto)” ( = 33) to compose the shot and 
focus.
 z For more impressive digest movies, 
aim the camera at subjects about four 
seconds before shooting still images.
Other Shooting Modes
P Mode
Tv, Av, M, and C Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Before Use
Index
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode /
Hybrid Auto Mode  
						

							36
 ●You can change how long images are displayed after shots 
(= 54).
Movies
 ●
Before movie recording, lower the flash with your finger. During 
recording, keep your fingers away from the microphone (1). 
Leaving the flash raised, or blocking the microphone may prevent 
audio from being recorded or may cause the recording to sound 
muffled.
 ●Avoid touching camera controls other than the movie button when 
recording movies, because sounds made by the camera will be 
recorded.
 ●Once movie recording begins, the image display area changes 
and subjects are enlarged to allow for correction of significant 
camera shake. To shoot subjects at the same size shown before 
shooting, set Dynamic IS to [Low] ( =
 52).
(1)
 ●
Audio is recorded in stereo. ●Distorted audio caused by recording when the wind is strong can 
be reduced. However, the recording may sound unnatural when 
this option is used when there is no wind. When the wind is not 
strong, choose MENU ( =
 29) ► [7] tab ► [Wind Filter] ► 
[Off] ( = 70). ●
During movie recording, lens operating noises from auto focusing 
may also be recorded.
Digest Movie Playback
Display a still image shot in [] mode to play the digest movie created 
on the same day, or specify the date of the digest movie to play ( = 106).
Still Images/Movies
 ●
If the camera makes no operating sounds, it may have been 
turned on while holding down the [] button. To activate 
sounds, press the [] button, choose [Mute] on the [3] 
tab, and then choose [Off].
Still Images
 ● A blinking [] icon warns that images are more likely to be 
blurred by camera shake. In this case, mount the camera on a 
tripod or take other measures to keep it still.
 ● If your shots are dark despite the flash firing, move closer to the 
subject. For details on the flash range, see “Camera” ( = 204). ●
The subject may be too close if the camera only beeps once 
when you press the shutter button halfway. For details on the 
range of focus (shooting range), see “Shooting Range” ( =
 205). ●
To reduce red-eye and to assist in focusing, the lamp may be lit 
when shooting in low-light conditions.
 ●A blinking [] icon displayed when you attempt to shoot 
indicates that shooting is not possible until the flash has finished 
recharging. Shooting can resume as soon as the flash is ready, 
so either press the shutter button all the way down and wait, or 
release it and press it again.
 ● No shutter sound is played when “Sleeping” and “Sleeping 
Babies” icons ( = 37) are displayed. ●
Although you can shoot again before the shooting screen 
is displayed, your previous shot may determine the focus, 
brightness, and colors used.
Other Shooting Modes
P Mode
Tv, Av, M, and C Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Before Use
Index
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode /
Hybrid Auto Mode  
						

							37
 ●The background color of [], [], [], [], and [] is dark blue, 
and the background color of [] is orange.
 ● For movies, only People, Other Subjects, and Other Close-Range 
Subjects icons are displayed.
 ●In [] mode, icons are only displayed for People, Shadows on Face, 
Other Subjects, and Other Close-Range Subjects.
 ● For self-timer shots, icons are not displayed for the following subjects: 
moving, smiling, or sleeping people; smiling or sleeping babies; 
moving children; and other moving subjects.
 ●Icons are not displayed for smiling or sleeping subjects and moving 
children in drive modes other than [] (= 38,  = 42) and when 
[Hg Lamp Corr.] is set to [On] and scenes are automatically corrected 
( =
 48).
 ●
Backlit icons are not displayed for moving children and smiling people 
when the flash is set to [].
 ●Icons for babies (including smiling and sleeping babies) and moving 
children are displayed when [Face ID] is set to [On] and faces of 
registered babies (less than two years old) or children (2 – 12 years 
old) are detected ( =
 44). Confirm beforehand that the date and time 
are correct ( = 20).
 ●
Try shooting in [] mode ( = 73) if the scene icon does not 
match actual shooting conditions, or if it is not possible to shoot 
with your expected effect, color, or brightness.
Scene Icons
 Still Images  Movies
In [] and [] modes, shooting scenes determined by the camera 
are indicated by the icon displayed, and corresponding settings are 
automatically selected for optimal focusing, subject brightness, and color . 
Depending on the scene, continuous images may be shot ( =
 38).
SubjectBackground
Normal Backlit Dark*1Sunsets Spotlights
People
*2*3–
Moving People*3*3– – –
Shadows on Face
*2– – – –
Smiling
*3*3– – –
Sleeping
*2*3– – –
Babies
*3*3– – –
Smiling Babies
*3*3– – –
Sleeping Babies
*2*3– – –
Moving Children
*3*3– – –
Other Subjects
*2*3
Other Moving Subjects*3*3– – –
Other Close-Range 
Subjects
*2*3– –
*1 Tripod used.
*2 The background color of icons is light blue when the background is a blue sky, 
dark blue when the background is dark, and gray for all other backgrounds.
*3
 The background color of icons is light blue when the background is a blue sky, 
and gray for all other backgrounds.
Other Shooting Modes
P Mode
Tv, Av, M, and C Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Before Use
Index
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode /
Hybrid Auto Mode  
						

							38
Image Stabilization Icons
 Still Images  Movies
Optimal image stabilization for the shooting conditions (Intelligent IS) is 
automatically applied, and the following icons are displayed.
Image stabilization for still images (Normal)
Image stabilization for still images when panning (Panning)*
Image stabilization for angular camera shake and shift-shake in 
macro shots (Hybrid IS).
For movies, [
] is displayed and [] image stabilization is also 
applied.
Image stabilization for movies, reducing strong camera shake, as 
when recording while walking (Dynamic)
Image stabilization for slow camera shake, such as when 
recording movies at telephoto (Powered)
No image stabilization, because the camera is mounted on 
a tripod or held still by other means. However, during movie 
recording, [
] is displayed, and image stabilization to counteract 
wind or other sources of vibration is used (Tripod IS).
* Displayed when you pan, following moving subjects with the camera. When you 
follow subjects moving horizontally, image stabilization only counteracts vertical 
camera shake, and horizontal stabilization stops. Similarly
, when you follow 
subjects moving vertically, image stabilization only counteracts horizontal camera 
shake.
 ● To cancel image stabilization, set [IS Mode] to [Off] ( = 52). In 
this case, an IS icon is not displayed.
 ● In [] mode, no [] icon is displayed.
Continuous Shooting Scenes
If the icon for one of the following scenes (in table’s left column) is 
displayed when you shoot a still image, the camera shoots continuously . If 
the icon for one of the following scenes (in table’s left column) is displayed 
when you press the shutter button halfway, one of the icons [
], [], or 
[] is displayed to inform you that the camera shoots continuously .
Smiling
(including Babies)Consecutive images are captured, and the camera 
analyzes details such as facial expressions to save 
the image determined to be the best.
Sleeping
(including Babies)
Beautiful shots of sleeping faces, created by 
combining consecutive shots to reduce camera 
shake and image noise.   
The AF-assist beam and the flash will not fire, and 
the shutter sound will not be played.
Children
So you don’t miss a photo opportunity of children 
who move around, the camera will capture three 
consecutive images for each shot.
 ● In some scenes, expected images may not be saved, and images 
may not look as expected.
 ●Focus, image brightness, and color are determined by the first 
shot.
 ●When you want to shoot single images only, touch [], choose 
[] in the menu, and then select [].
Other Shooting Modes
P Mode
Tv, Av, M, and C Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Before Use
Index
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode /
Hybrid Auto Mode  
						

							39
Common, Convenient Features
Zooming In Closer on Subjects (Digital Zoom)
 Still Images  Movies
When distant subjects are too far away to enlarge using the optical zoom, 
use digital zoom for up to about 12x enlargement.
1 Move the zoom lever toward [].
 zHold the lever until zooming stops.
 zZooming stops at the largest zoom factor 
before the image becomes noticeably 
grainy, which is then indicated on the 
screen.
2 Move the zoom lever toward [] 
again.
 z The camera zooms in even closer on the 
subject.
 z(1) is the current zoom factor.
 ● Moving the zoom lever will display the zoom bar (which indicates 
the zoom position). The zoom bar is color-coded to indicate the 
zoom range.
 -White range: optical zoom range where the image will not 
appear grainy.
 -Yellow range: digital zoom range where the image is not 
noticeably grainy (ZoomPlus).
 - Blue range: digital zoom range where the image will appear grainy. ● Because the blue range will not be available at some recording 
pixel settings ( = 90), the maximum zoom factor can be 
achieved by following step 1.
( 1 )
On-Screen Frames
 Still Images  Movies
In [] mode, a variety of frames are displayed once the camera 
detects subjects you are aiming the camera at.
 ● A white frame is displayed around the subject (or person’s face) 
determined by the camera to be the main subject, and gray frames are 
displayed around other detected faces. Frames follow moving subjects 
within a certain range to keep them in focus. However, if the camera 
detects subject movement, only the white frame will remain on the 
screen.
 ●When you are pressing the shutter button halfway and the camera 
detects subject movement, a blue frame is displayed, and the focus 
and image brightness are constantly adjusted (Servo AF).
 ● Try shooting in [] mode ( = 73) if no frames are displayed, if 
frames are not displayed around desired subjects, or if frames are 
displayed on the background or similar areas.
 ● To choose subjects to focus on, touch the desired subject on the 
screen. [] is displayed, and the camera enters Touch AF mode 
( = 86). Pressing the shutter button halfway will display a blue 
frame, and the camera will keep the subject in focus and image 
brightness adjusted (Servo AF).
Other Shooting Modes
P Mode
Tv, Av, M, and C Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Before Use
Index
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode /
Hybrid Auto Mode  
						

							40
Using the Self-Timer
 Still Images  Movies
With the self-timer, you can include yourself in group photos or other 
timed shots. The camera will shoot about 10 seconds after you press the 
shutter button.
1 Configure the setting.
 zPress the [] button, choose [] in the 
menu, and then choose [] ( = 28).
 z
Once the setting is complete, [] is 
displayed.
2 Shoot.
 z For Still Images: Press the shutter button 
halfway to focus on the subject, and then 
press it all the way down.
 zFor Movies: Press the movie button.
 zOnce you start the self-timer, the lamp 
will blink and the camera will play a self-
timer sound.
 zTwo seconds before the shot, the blinking 
and sound will speed up. (The lamp will 
remain lit in case the flash fires.)
 zTo cancel shooting after you have 
triggered the self-timer, press the 
[
] button.
 zTo restore the original setting, choose [] 
in step 1.
 ● To deactivate digital zoom, choose MENU ( = 29) ► [2] tab 
► [Digital Zoom] ► [Off].
Shooting at Preset Focal Lengths (Step Zoom)
 Still Images  Movies
Shoot at common focal lengths in a range of 28 – 84 mm (35mm film 
equivalent).
 z To change the focal length from 28 to 
35 mm, turn the 

[
] ring counterclockwise 
until it clicks. Turn the [] ring 
counterclockwise to zoom in or clockwise 
to zoom out.
 ● Step zoom is not available when recording movies even if you 
turn the [] ring.
 ●When you are using digital zoom ( = 39), you cannot adjust the 
zoom factor by turning the [] ring counterclockwise. However, 
you can set the focal length to 84 mm by turning it clockwise.
Other Shooting Modes
P Mode
Tv, Av, M, and C Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Before Use
Index
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode /
Hybrid Auto Mode