Canon PowerShot G11 10MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle Optical Stabilized Zoom and 2.8-inch articulating LCD
Canon PowerShot G11 10MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle Optical Stabilized Zoom and 2.8-inch articulating LCD see short title
Product Rating:
The PowerShot G11 is a compact camera that will find favor with professionals and advanced amateur photographers due to its superb image quality, full manual control of settings, and RAW shooting capability. If it's not practical or safe to carry a large DSLR a high-specification compact such as the PowerShot G11 is a fantastic choice. It's great for photographers looking to capture high resolution, high quality, and low light images without havi... » full description
The PowerShot G11 is a compact camera that will find favor with professionals and advanced amateur photographers due to its superb image quality, full manual control of settings, and RAW shooting capability. If it's not practical or safe to carry a large DSLR a high-specification compact such as the PowerShot G11 is a fantastic choice. It's great for photographers looking to capture high resolution, high quality, and low light images without having to carry a large SLR system in their kit bags.The G11 features face detection technology that can detect and track numerous faces within the frame to ensure the correct exposure and focus for them. An enhanced i-Contrast system optimizes the dynamic range of subjects to deliver shadow details whilst avoiding highlight blow outs. « short desciption
User Reviews
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Review Date: 2009-11-24
Could not find this camera anywhere but on Amazon. It is as advertised - easy to use and takes great shots in all kinds of conditions.
User: Sandyy
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Helpful Votes: 0
Total Votes: 0
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Review Date: 2009-11-23
The Canon G11 is not perfect. Unfortunately, there has been a lot of hype and a good deal of 'over-expectation' created about this camera. The G11 is an advanced camera that I wouldn't recommend to the average snap-shooter, but it is a camera I would recommend to someone who has a DSLR kit and would like to have a small camera as a back-up or to carry around. The advanced photographer will experience a camera that tries to reproduce the old range-finder experience (in terms of control and heft). I say "tries to reproduce . . . " because it is a digital camera and the G11 is not be as instantaneous or as responsive as its film counterparts, but it rewards forethought and planning with great images. I was tempted to invest in the micro four-thirds system, especially Panasonic's great GF-1, but it meant investing in another system of bodies and lenses. I may still be tempted to do this in future, but only as a DSLR replacement. The G11, on the other hand, while not being able to meet the same standards as a DSLR or micro four-thirds camera, does operate well as a 'bridge' camera.
Things I really like about the G11 are its viewfinder (not perfect, but useful), its dedicated mechanical controls, its improved noise results, RAW files, good battery life, build and the articulated screen. I don't use the screen to compose very often, but it is useful to review results. Something that could be done better is the AF and burst speeds. I have, nevertheless given it high score, because I am aware of its limitations and work around them and because the 'G' series seems to be the best in its class and just keeps getting better.
User: Keithinmelbourne
Rating:
Summary: A great portable camera
Helpful Votes: 1
Total Votes: 1
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Review Date: 2009-11-22
If you're already in the market for a top level P&S that shoots RAW then you're probably looking at the Canon G11, Canon S90 or the Panasonic LX3. All three cameras have their plusses and minuses so no one should be saying which one is best. The question is what works for you. That's all that matters.
The Canon G11 and S90 both share the same sensor which means they have almost identical noise performance. The big difference on the low light issue is that the S90 starts at f/2 and the G11 at f/2.8. Sounds like a small difference, but it isn't when you need all the low light capability you can get.
According to at least one blowhard pro reviewer (Ken Rockwell - don't know how the man passes as an "expert"), you'd think that the G11 was a waste of money in comparison to the S90 and that only people who want a heavier camera for no apparent reason would want the G11.
Here are my reasons:
1. The G11 has an articulating screen. There are multiple uses for this. A)Makes self portraits easy; B)Allows you to inconspicuously take photos with the camera down at your waist; C)Allows you to compose photos at ground level without lying down; D)Allows you to take photos with the camera over your head in crowd situations; and E)Allows you to protect the screen by turning it inward towards the camera. I know the articulating LCD has its detractors, but to me it's one of the top reasons I bought it over the S90.
2. The longer focal length: 140 vs. 105 on the S90
3. The heavier weight. Heavier means metal. Metal means this camera can take more abuse. Pros in the field frequently choose the G series Canons as their backup because they're built so well. If you're not going to take your camera on a mountain expedition, for example, then you might not need the G11's sturdier build and the S90 might be a better choice.
4. The easy to use "as if it was designed by a real photographer" outside dials for mode, ISO, and bracketing.
But the G11 also has its issues.
The f/2.8 lens IS a concern, although the cameras do even out around 50mm and the G11 surpasses the S90 at the other end of the zoom. There are times I really don't want to carry that extra weight. And the G11 has bit too many extras on it that make it more complicated than it needs to be. Quite honestly, I hate how Canon designs their interface. I'm a Nikon DSLR user, but their P&S cameras don't match the Canon's in terms of quality. I love what the G11 can do, but I despise trying to change settings on it.
There's one reason why none of these things pushed me towards buying the easier to use S90: I also bought the Panasonic LX3. The LX3 has an f/2 lens and an ultra-wide 24mm lens. It's older technology than both the Canons, but whoa does it fill in the gaps on the G11. It's lightweight, easier to use, wider lens (even if it has limited zoom), and has a specific feature not on any Canon: dynamic B&W. I know, I can get the same effect with software after shooting. But that's not my style. I generally shoot it just the way I want it in the moment. I don't enjoy spending a half hour at the computer trying to tweak an image to death. I was self taught on a 35mm shooting almost exclusively B&W so Panasonic's bow to us long term photographers is greatly appreciated.
I realize most folks can't afford to get two top of the line P&S cameras. You have to decide what features count the most. I'm betting most users will prefer the S90. They won't use the articulating screen and they don't need the sturdier build. For people who want to just take photos of friends and family I actually recommend the S90. But if you have needs that go beyond that, start giving the G11 a serious look. There's just one fly in the ointment I have to add: The S90 has the slowest continuous shooting speed of all three of these cameras at .9 fps vs. the G11's 1.1 and the LX3's 2.5. If you're shooting fast moving children, for example, you might want to back up completely and reexamine what it is you need as a cheaper camera without RAW but with faster continuous shooting might be the better choice.
I'm writing this review in late 2009. I've read that Panasonic will probably release the LX3 replacement, said to be the LX5, in 2010. If they keep the positives and add a longer zoom and an articulating screen then forget everything I wrote as I will be ditching both my LX3 and G11. I hate the Canon interface that much.
One last thing on weight - bought a camera grip that just makes the camera feel perfect in my hand and I'm no longer afraid I'm going to drop it. Something like this: PROMASTER CAMERA GRIP
User: Traveler
Rating:
Summary: Why I bought the Canon G11 instead of the S90
Helpful Votes: 5
Total Votes: 6
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Review Date: 2009-11-20
I have a Canon S3 IS and a 40D. I have enjoyed the S3, but find it limiting due to a lack of a hot shoe for flash, and it does not shoot RAW. But I'll keep it around for it's long zoom range and decent image quality.
I am enjoying getting to know my 40D, but it feels rather conspicuous and obtrusive at times. I wanted something less obtrusive for people pictures, and something portable to "grab and go." Enter the G11.
Overall, I like it; it is much more portable than a DSLR, though for someone who is used to more diminutive point and shoots, it may seem bulky. To me if feels light (almost too light), and it's compactness makes the controls feel a little cramped. But it does look pretty cool, and feels pretty sturdy.
I like the "analog" dials, with easy access to most of the features I use frequently. One of my favorite surprises was the ability to set the timer for face recognition -- a 2 second count down starts when a face enters the view.
It won't replace my 40D -- but I didn't expect it to. I knew it would have some limitations; for me, these include a slight shutter lag when pressing the shutter, compared to the 40D (but not as bad as the S3), and a slow burst rate (a little less than 1 a shot per second). It also has too much noise at ISO 400 and up, so I will only use 200 or lower, which generally won't be a problem for me since I tend to use flash indoors.
The zoom range is 5x (optical) which suits my intended purpose, but it wouldn't work if this were my only camera. I would want a little more reach on the long end.
But for portability, decent construction, great image quality (below ISO 400), image stabilization and some nifty features (shooting RAW, hot shoe, face detection, etc), I consider this a keeper. Thanksgiving will be the real test...
User: B. Florence
Rating:
Summary: brilliant, with qualifications
Helpful Votes: 0
Total Votes: 0
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Review Date: 2009-11-20
I've had a G7 for a while and really like it. When they announced the G11, I pre-ordered it on Amazon. I had really high hopes for it. Unfortunately, it wasn't worth the wait as an upgrade.
I took a bunch of photos with my G7 and G11 of the same subjects and compared them. The G11 does do much better with respect to noise at higher ISO settings. Otherwise the picutres were hard to tell apart. The articulated screen for the G11 really adds considerable size compared to the G7, so that was a negative for me given that it was still a point and shoot. Together, I didn't think it was worth the $500.
So, instead I kept the G7, returned the G11 to Amazon, and bought a Canon EOS Rebel T1i 15.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens. I love the Rebel, which is the first DSLR I've owned.
The G11 a great camera if you are looking to buy what might be the best point and shoot digital camera. If you are not upgrading from another Canon G series with image stabilization, it's a great camera to consider. I simply felt that it wasn't a worthwhile upgrade.
Buck
User: E. W. Hodges
Rating:
Summary: Wasn't a compelling upgrade from my G7
Helpful Votes: 4
Total Votes: 8
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Product Details
- New 10-megapixel High Sensitivity System; DIGIC 4 Image Processor
- Bright 2.8-inch Vari-Angle PureColor System LCD plus optical viewfinder
- Wide-angle 5x optical zoom (equivalent to 28-140mm); Canon's Optical Image Stabilizer
- Improved Smart AUTO intelligently selects from 22 predefined shooting situations
- RAW + JPEG shooting and recording modes; capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)
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