Canon introduces G11

Today Canon introduced the Powershot G11 – the successor to the G10 (which I own and like very much).

PowerShot-G11-FRT-LCD_001
image courtesy DP Review

I have been a big fan of the Canon G- series of cameras and the G11 looks to be an awesome addition to the lineup.  In a bit of a surprise, they’ve reduced the megapixel count from 14.4MP in the G10 to 10MP in this new G11.  This is an excellent decision – realizing that 10MP is more than enough to suit the needs of what most people are using the camera for.  In place of all of those megapixels, they’ve improved the overall image sensor’s sensitivity, allowing for better images in more difficult lighting situations.  From the press release:

Canon’s new Dual Anti-Noise System combines a high sensitivity 10.0 Megapixel image sensor with Canon’s enhanced DIGIC 4 image processing technology to increase image quality and greatly improve noise performance by up to 2 stops (compared to PowerShot G10). The PowerShot G11 also includes i-Contrast technology, which prevents high-light blowout whilst retaining low-light detail – ideal for difficult lighting situations.

The G11 is equipped to deal with any light condition.  Low Light mode enables photographers to shoot up to ISO 12,800 in reduced 2.5MP resolution, whilst a built-in Neutral Density (ND) filter decreases light levels by 3 stops allowing creative control in bright conditions.

My biggest gripe with the G10 is it’s inability (like most smaller form-factor cameras) to capture decent quality images at low light.  The camera is useless at around ISO400.  I Would love to be able to realistically use ISO800 with this camera.  ISO 12,800 is nice and all but not if the pictures are going to be blue.  The idea of dynamically reducing the megapixel count to better render the scene is interesting.  We’ll see once the hands-on reviews start coming in how this all works in practice.

I doubt that I’ll upgrade to this camera – it will be difficult to justify the cost of the upgrade just for improved low-light imagery – but I’ll be keeping my eyes on the reviews for sure.

Regardless of whether I get this camera, it shows that the camera makers are headed in the right direction (no more are we fighting the megapixel wars!) and this should signal similar changes throughout multiple camera lines.

Read More at DPReview

7 Replies to “Canon introduces G11”

  1. Very interesting. I'm in the market for a better-than-point-and-shoot-but-not-quite-SLR and will look at the G11. Monica and I are planning to keep my SD 850 IS and add something nicer. Just looking at the Canon PowerShot choices it seems there are 9 different choices — G11 and G10, S90, SX1, SX20, SX10, SX200, SX120, SX110… I guess it's time to figure out what's really important to me in the new camera.

  2. The S90 is also a very nice offering – it looks to be the same sensor as the G11 in a smaller camera. The smaller form-factor will provide its own benefits and drawbacks – easier to pocket, harder to handle (more controls will be forced into navigation menus rather than physical dials).

    One of the nice physicalities of the S90 though is a new innovation – a spinning control wheel around the lens, which can be programmed to perform different functions (zoom, focus, image (aperture, compensation, etc.,) adjustment). That could be a very cool feature.

    I would highly recommend the G11 based on my experiences with the G10 and the S90 looks to be a very promising option as well. Decisions, decisions..

  3. Hmmm… of the 9 offerings only 5 have viewfinders (not the S90 though) and only three of those will shoot in RAW mode. So I guess it's down to the G11, G10 and SX1. The SX1 is a little pricier (but not much), and a little heavier, but it has a 20X zoom versus the 5X on the smaller cameras.

  4. I rarely use the viewfinder on the G10 so that's less of a requirement for me (but were this to be my “high-end” camera (instead of my SLR) I might appreciate the occasional benefits of having one more).

    If I was deciding between the G10 and the G11 I would definitely wait for the G11.

    I've never looked into the SX1 so I can't comment much on that one. One thing I will say is that often the images acquired by the longer zooms can be replicated by cropping an image taken with a lesser lens.

    As always, I would recommend DP Review's write ups for more info: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/can… (none yet for the G11 or S90 obviously)

  5. FYI… I just ordered the SX1. I'm feeling a little indulgent — do I really need it? Could I have been happy with a lesser camera? No, and Yes. But, since I don't imagine getting a SLR ever, and since I will occassionally need some of the features of this camera… I feel good about the choice. I was finally motivated to order it because Monica is taking my SD850 to Africa (for work) next week and I'll feel naked without a camera.

  6. FYI… I just ordered the SX1. I'm feeling a little indulgent — do I really need it? Could I have been happy with a lesser camera? No, and Yes. But, since I don't imagine getting a SLR ever, and since I will occassionally need some of the features of this camera… I feel good about the choice. I was finally motivated to order it because Monica is taking my SD850 to Africa (for work) next week and I'll feel naked without a camera.

  7. Excellent – I’m sure you’ll be happy with the camera. Personally, I prefer a larger camera – easier to handle – and I think you might find the same, compared to the SD series.

Leave a Reply