Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

UPDATE- (after 2 months, 300 shots)- --Sticking with the 4-stars. Solid little camera. --Wifi does NOT work with Marshmallow on Nexus 6p (tried everything, including customer service walk-through, this is apparently a known issue, may be fixed eventually, who knows? --Excellent focusing in low light, resolution very nice (I shoot DSLR, film, and medium format film, for background) --On paper, I didn't like the battery life, but realized that it's fine for the way I'm using THIS camera. Charge lasted about 270 shots, but didn't lose power over time when sitting unused-- so I didn't have to swap it out for seven weeks, which was terrific. ----------------------END OF UPDATE--- (original review below) I truly want to love this camera, and in some ways it's exactly what I wanted, but I'm still within the return window and still waffling- here's why... Background: Semi-pro photographer, several DSLRs, desperately seeking "purse-cam" for work commute when I have no secure place to store larger gear. Over the past several years I've bought (and then sold or returned) several four-thirds cameras & large-sensor compacts. My priorities, roughly in order of importance, are: #1 image quality (of course), RAW capture, image stabilization, full manual, flash, Wifi, small, decent battery life, at least some zoom capability, and I really, really wanted a viewfinder. PLUS, I cringe when the price inches over $5-600. (Yeah, yeah, I KNOW I'm dreaming...) The G9x doesn't have a viewfinder, but it's a perfect size at a lower-than-average price for this category of camera. Pros: IMAGE QUALITY. I'm a ridiculously exacting pixel-peeper and I can live with the results, which is saying a LOT. I'd have no problem at all printing 8x10s or even 16x20s from this sensor/camera. IQ, part 2: In Auto mode, the camera does a good job not blowing out my highlights. Minimal chromatic aberation, only in difficult conditions (pine needles at distance silhouetted against a bright blue sky), only visible when pixel-peeping (very zoomed in). I'm not seeing any softness in the corners, either, unless I'm shooting very wide & deep, in which case the corners are naturally out of focal plane. SIZE. Not super-mini, which honestly I find difficult to handle after 40+ years with SLRs & medium format cameras, but small enough for purse, back, or pocket, no problem. TOUCH SCREEN. This wasn't a concern until I purchased my most recent DSLR, when I discovered how useful they are. Optional touch to focus and touch to shoot, and it makes reviewing photos an absolute breeze. ERGONOMICS. I've seen complaints about the placement of the playback/image review button and the video record button making them easy to depress accidentally. I've had no issue with either. All the buttons are slightly depressed, as usual, and none touch-sensitive (capacitive). I appreciate both of those being one-touch function buttons. FLASH: This particular pop-up design seems much less frangible than the unfolding, robotic-looking extender brackets. I like the textured switch to release it, and don't care that it doesn't tip to bounce. Canon does a great job with exposure compensation and fill flashes on P&S cameras, anyway. PLAYBACK BUTTON: When the camera is off, pushing the playback button turns it on without opening/extending the lens CANON'S TYPICALLY INTUITIVE MENUS: I may have opened the manual once. Maybe. Until the Wifi issue, anyway, at which point the manual didn't matter. IN-CAMERA BATTERY CHARGING: see minor cons for more. Minor Cons: NO DELETE BUTTON. This will sound nit-picky, but I prefer the convenience of a physical delete button, press once to delete- press again to confirm. While a touch screen greatly simplifies photo review functions, deleting one photo still requires pressing the Quick Menu button, moving your hand to touch Delete onscreen, then move again & touch to confirm. NOT GREAT BATTERY LIFE. Low end of this category camera, around 200 shots per charge. BUT- you can charge in-camera with a USB cable (with a common NON-proprietary micro USB cable) and aftermarket batteries are 20 bucks a pop. Possible Durability ISSUE: The little door over the HDMI & USB ports doesn't seem like it will stand up to excessive wear. Potential Deal Breakers: LIMITED RAW FUNCTIONALITY: I can't shoot RAW in Auto modes???? Seriously, Canon? Why the hell not? Granted, I shoot manual about three-quarters of the time, but this is a P&S camera! Ease, convenience, speed! There's ZERO reason to block RAW capture in Auto modes. I'm pinning my hopes on someone at Canon coming to their senses and shooting out a firmware update before I'm forced to hack it myself. WIFI: Canon Connect won't work with Lollipop 5, and apparently I'm not alone in this. I have a Nexus 6p, but I gather it's not limited to my phone. Read online reviews first to see if this will be an issue for you, too. If I can't get the camera to cooperate with the Nexus, my old HTC, or my Surface Pro, this will probably be what pushes me into a return, and returning to my quest for the perfect purse-cam. Neutral: CONTROL RING: Sorta superfluous with the touch-screen, but I appreciate the tactile quality and like the looks. Some people don't want "clicky" rings, but I'm exactly the opposite. I've been using it because I'm used to a DSLR, but because the lens protrudes very little, using the control ring is slightly awkward. It's not necessary or in the way, though, so if you don't like it, you can just forget about it. Fun: STAR MODE- Time lapse for star trails CREATIVE SHOT MODE- Applies a bunch of effects to one shot, quickly. You can chose between them or delete the group in one step. Additional info: Tamrac 3819 bag is too small. Tamrac 3584144 Express 4 Compact Zip (Pink) is perfect size, spare battery fits in secure pocket. PS- I WISH I got paid to review camera products, but I don't, and nobody sends me any free stuff, either..sniff, sniff