The Canon Powershot G11 point-and-shoot
Key features:
- Highly functional design
- Great in low light
- Superior image quality
I admit this is less bonafide product review and more just gushing endorsement. If you’re looking for the cost and size advantages of a compact/point-and-shoot camera that can produce the kind of image quality that solid visual journalism requires, this is the one for you.
Canon introduced the first of the G series of cameras in mid-2000 for pros and high-end amateurs as a pocket-size alternative to a dSLR. The cameras have since developed something of a cult following. The G11 supports an expanded dynamic range and much-improved image quality in low light conditions over its predecessors.
I bought the new Canon Powershot G11 the week it came out. I owned its predecessor, the G10, and looked at some of the competitors in the category, such as the Leica C-Lux 3, the Lumix DMC-LX3 and the Nikon Coolpix P6000. Hands down, I find this to be the best of the bunch.
Functionality
Much of the marketing literature for the camera talks about its cool, retro design – because it has dials rather than menus for features such as manual control, exposure compensation and ISO rather than buttons that send you into a menu. I don’t think there is anything retro about it. The design just makes it easy to access the features working photographers most often use.
The camera offers a variety of shooting modes ranging from manual to custom to scene selections. It shoots a variety of formats and aspect ratios that include a panoramic setting, a number of JPEG options and camera RAW. In other words, lots of options. The G11’s durable design and swiveling 2.8-inch monitor make it a good camera for rough shooting conditions.
Image Quality
Canon made the unusual decision to reduce sensor resolution with the G11. The camera has a 10MP sensor. The G10 had a 14.7MP sensor. The idea is this: all those sensor arrays create a lot of heat, which creates digital noise. Reduce the number of sensors, reduce the heat, improve image quality. It worked. The 10MP sensor can produce 3648p x 2736p images, still plenty big enough for quality web and print reproduction.
Canon also improved the camera’s processor. The DIGIC IV processor offers an expanded dynamic range over its predecessor and many other cameras out there. Set to RAW, the colors are lush from highlights to shadows. Best of all, the DIGIC IV was designed with low-light shooting conditions in mind. Photojournalists often find themselves shooting in poor lighting conditions in which they either can’t use a flash or just don’t want to. I am simply amazed by what this camera can do – image quality at ISOs of 1600 that look great and are professionally usable.
Drawbacks
Nothing is perfect, not even the G11. As terrific as the image quality and functionality are, in the end, the camera doesn’t compare to a good dSLR. The camera fits so many features on to its small body that the camera can be slow to use because it’s so easy to hit the wrong button or turn the dial too far. Another aggravating fact about the G11 is that Adobe Photoshop CS3 will not recognize Canon’s new RAW format. You need to upgrade to CS4 or use an alternative.
In Closing
All in all, it’s by far the best compact I have ever used. There are many other factors and features a buyer may want to consider before make a choice. For example, video, which I don’t address here. Below are some of the camera’s specs and some sites that offer more detailed reviews.
SPECS:
- 10MP resolution
- 1:1.7 sensor
- 2.8 –inch rotating monitor
- 28-140mm (35mm equivalent) 5X F/2.8-4.5 zoom lens
- 3200 ISO
- Manual exposure
- RAW File capture
- E-TTL flash shoe mount
- Video: 640 x 480 @ 30fps
For more reviews of the Canon Powershot G11, check out:
