Canon PowerShot G11 Overview
Canon PowerShot G11 digital camera is the direct successor to last year’s PowerShot G10 model, and external style of the two cameras is quite similar. Probably the most notable difference when comparing the cameras side by side is that the PowerShot G11 now has a Tilt Swivel LCD screen instead of the fixed panel of the G10 LCD. To achieve this goal, the panel size has been reduced from a 3.0 inches by 2.8 inches diagonally, while maintaining the same starting point. The body size of the Canon PowerShot G11 has also risen slightly since the G10 with an additional tenth of an inch (2-3mm) added to the width and depth, although a similar amount has been cut from the height.
Perhaps the biggest change in the Canon G11 is under the skin, however. While incorporating the same 1/1.7-inch CCD image sensor size than its predecessor, the G11 reduces the resolution of the sensor from 14.7 to 10.0 megapixels effective. This marks the first time we saw the resolution to be reduced to the camera program progresses, and is an important step in the direction of mental health. With the megapixel war now happily dying, we would like to see some manufacturers more you reduce their resolution of the sensor in the interests of better dynamics, image noise and low light performance. Canon said the G11 offers a two-stop improvement in noise performance compared to G10. The lower end of the ISO range is slightly enlarged from the previous device, with the Canon PowerShot G11 sensitivity with a minimum of ISO 80 to a maximum of ISO 3200 equivalent. A special mode for high sensitivity scene allows images to be pulled higher than the standard ISO 12800 at reduced resolution of 2.5 megapixels.
The Canon PowerShot G11 retains the same 5x optical zoom, the PowerShot G10, which offers 35mm equivalent focal lengths ranging from 28mm wide angle to a useful 140mm telephoto. Maximum aperture ranges from f/2.8 to f/4.5 across the zoom range, and like its predecessor, the Canon G11 includes true optical image stabilization to help combat blur from camera shake. The Canon G11 is based on the same DIGIC 4, which featured in the G10. This allows an AF system with both face detection and subject tracking capabilities. Available shutter speeds for the PowerShot G11 range of 1 / 4 000 to 15 seconds, and measurement modes include Evaluative, center-weighted and spot. The exposure modes are also unchanged, with the Canon G11 including program, aperture or shutter priority or full manual mode. Speed flash synchronization has been improved to 1 / 2000 seconds, and the range when set to Auto ISO has also increased, with the PowerShot G11 estimated at 1.6 to 23 feet (50cm to 7m) wide-angle, and 1.6 to 13 feet (50cm to 4m) at telephoto.
Like the G10 before it, the Canon G11 can record 30 fps movies with mono sound at a resolution up to 640 x 480 pixels (VGA), and opts for MOV H.264 compression. The Canon PowerShot G11 is unchanged from its predecessor for storing RAW or JPEG images and movies on Secure Digital cards, as well as the higher capacity SDHC types. Supplements G11 G10 NTSC / PAL video output with a high-definition HDMI connector, and keeps the USB 2.0 High Speed computer connectivity. The power comes from an NB-7L Lithium-ion battery, the same type used in the G10.
The Canon PowerShot G11 has begun shipping to the United States from October 2009. Like the G10 last year, the Canon G11 has a U.S. $ 500 pricetag.
Canon PowerShot G11 User Review
The beloved of the Canon G series has been around for a very long time in the early digital camera. The first model, the Canon G1, had a 3.3-megapixel sensor – a big deal in 2000. He also had a 3x zoom, a 1.8-inch swiveling LCD, a maximum aperture of f/2.0, a maximum shutter speed of 1 / 1 000 seconds and high ISO settings of 400. This is the G1 right here.
Fast Forward nine and eight years later models (there were no G4 or G8 models), and Canon G11 takes the stage with a 10 megapixel sensor and the triumphant return of the swivel screen, which measures current 2.8-inch LCD. Both measures are down 14 megapixel G10 and 3.0 inch LCD, but the emphasis on quality and value that is returned. The maximum aperture is an unfortunate omission in a return to the roots of the G-series because it remains to f/2.8 rather than those seriously failed f/2.0 optics that prevailed throughout the Canon G6. Shutter speed and ISO increased, although at 1 / 4 000 seconds and 3200 thanks to the continued advancement of sensor technology and image processing.
For me, the most important aspects are quality lens and sensor output. The good news is that both seem to height – if you make comparisons that reflect its importance relative ISO performance and price, not to mention versatility. Canon claims to get a major advantage down from 14 to 10 megapixels seems a little suspicious at first, until you print the images. This is our main reference here at Imaging-Resource.com. The Canon G11 printed images hold up well enough.
Did you get a quality digital SLR on the full range of ISO? No, not really. But you do get an excellent optical quality with very sharp corners, and the ability to print high quality images of 16×20 cm who are tied with 10-megapixel digital SLR cameras up to 800 ISO, and learn to carry a small camera.
Own advertising campaign with Canon VII Photo Agency photographers made me look at the Canon G11 as I would if I was a war correspondent. Am I happy with the G11, if I was in a foreign country with bullets flying around, having to carry less equipment? I am also asked to compare the G11 to the Olympus E-P1 Panasonic and GF1, two cameras Micro Four Thirds minded enthusiasts that are considered to be their next “everywhere” camera. He must imagine that photojournalists are also looking to this new form factor, because it is much more stealthy than the camera’s digital SLR-style, does not yet have a larger sensor than the G11.
So is the Canon G11 at the height of his predecessors, rivals and competitors in this price range and size? It really depends on your needs, but I think it is a compelling device for a wide range of users, and offers many things demanding users will appreciate. There are many compromises here, but when you talk about a tweener camera, the Canon PowerShot G11 responds to an impressive range of needs.
When we look at the Canon PowerShot G11, words like burly, gnarled, rough, ugly and even come to mind. It’s kind of ugly as beautiful, though: Ugly as you want your bodyguard to be, because he has a job to do and that is to scare bad guys away. Well, the Canon G11 has a job to do, too, and it is to get a good fire quickly, but evolve in a space small enough that you’re more likely to bring with him.
Although much of the camera is a bit smaller than the Olympus E-P1, and greater than the Panasonic LX3. Its swiveling LCD screen adds some features, however, something none of those competing offers. Weight is 14.1 ounces (400g) with an SD card and Lithium Canon, the G11-ion.
Normally, I would show the lens is open on the ball before, but I wanted to show the impressive-looking integrated lens cover that opens automatically when deploying the lens. Lens covers like this are not new, but they are increasingly rare on digital cameras larger, which have generally failed to plastic cap. Integration has many advantages, but know that the door is clear plastic, no motorized steel as its design suggests, so it can be easily forced open by a finger or capricious d ‘ a set of keys so bad the G11 Canon dropped carelessly into a bag or container without a proper case.
An exit button bottom right of the lens helps to remove the knurled ring so you can mount the Accessory Lens 1.4x teleconverter TC-DC58D via LA DC58K adapter required.
In the top left of the lens is a very bright AF-assist lamp, the kind I’d love to see Canon add to its SLR cameras (imagine types VII agency photographer would want to disable this lamp in a custom mode of so they do not look like a rifle range aircraft). In the top right of this is the optical viewfinder, which accuracy is extremely poor and very small image, despite its relatively large target. The flash seems smaller than the G10, and the grip is good for a camera of this size and weight, with a low profile and a textured rubber surface. The camera feels enough like a small SLR or E-P1 as I’m still trying to grasp around the handle with my left hand, hold it by the lens. This is not a good idea, of course, since the lense is motorized and held that it could damage the gears inside.
From the top you have a better view of the thickness of the Canon G11. It’s a big piece. I actually like the size and weight, but, and it is much thinner than all a rebel or another small SLR. But take a look at the dials, one for exposure compensation, one for ISO, and one for the adjustment mode. Everyone is very difficult to turn, which is just right. You do not accidentally turn into a bag or while you’re shooting, it will not. The markings are white on black, too, making them easy to see in most lighting conditions. Color marks only the green Auto selections.
The zoom control is a small switch that surrounds the shutter button at the top right. It seems a little small for the overall size of the Canon G11, but it works pretty well. The zoom moves at only one speed, unfortunately, it does not work at all when taking video (digital telephoto zoom only in Movie mode), the worse it is slow to start moving once you have activated. It reminds me of a luxury sedan: press the gas and the car computer is to check all the sensors to see if you really think, then it goes. I prefer the G11 not guess my choice.
The power button has a slight tilt forward so you can not see but can feel with your finger. Supply to the Canon G11 and a green LED inside. Orange LEDs clearly indicate which setting is active on each dial.
Right next to the left of the 100 ISO setting on the dial are two locations for long microphone, the loudspeaker is on the left side just below the lug camera strap.
The back of the Canon G11 looks very similar to the G10, but it’s different, especially for screen space articulated. I do not have a G10 to compare with, but it seems that the control knob is much smaller, with far less space on the right side. Canon actually added a little room to articulate the hinge on the right side without changing too. All buttons, however, are still the same basic parts, so it’s a easy upgrade. The / shortcut direct print button has also lost the illumination that the G10 used to show connectivity with a computer or printer. And from there, you can also see that the mode selector is also about an inch shorter than dial G10.
The four buttons above and below the control knob are also inclined to facilitate the activation and differentiation of touch. The AE / FE lock button is raised above the surface and goes back on a slope, requiring a bit more effort to enable deliberate. Unfortunately, it is when shooting vertically as I accidentally pressed many of these buttons, including those integrated into the browser with command line.
Slim and sturdy, the screen of the joint works like most such screen Canon very well. I can not say with certainty whether the shell of the LCD screen is made of metal like the rest of the body, partly because magnesium alloys feel too much like plastic at densities of some. The sensation is quite robust, though.
I also like how the dial command. It seems to take every click of the wheel into account, which is more than most dial control to Canon. The dial also rocks in four directions, to serve as buttons, activating manual focus, Flash Drive, and Macro modes. The screen is a little too far to the wheel to scroll through as easily as you can cope with the G10, which often slows my progress until I get my thumb in just the right position.
On the right side you can see the door hard plastic port that was released with a jumper to cut the thumb. Once opened, it comes close, but you have until it snaps into place. Now is a good time to mention that no matter how tough it seems, the Canon PowerShot G11 is not watertight, dust or sand, which includes the door, so be careful when using the G11 in harsh conditions.
As I mentioned in my article entitled overview of the Canon S90, I am very grateful that Canon has seen the light and for the first time to reduce the resolution of a range of cameras, do not follow the pack in a world of increasingly smaller dimensions of the pixels that gather fewer photons per pixel with higher resolutions. Higher pixel density also has the effect of revealing what once seemed to be minor defects in an optical camera, which lens design more difficult and therefore expensive.
One reason that cameras like the Canon PowerShot G11 is smaller than an SLR is that their sensors are smaller and the lens can be smaller while achieving the magnification as compared to a device on a much more reflex. Although many people think a camera like the G11 should easily match the image quality a DSLR, I’ve prepared a little chart to show why there is a considerable challenge to match the light gathering ability of a Micro Four Thirds, APS-C or full-frame camera in a small body. Similarly, you can also see why the 1/1.7 sensor in the G11 can collect more light than the typical digital camera, the sensor is only 1/2.5.
Imagine that each rectangle is a blue sensor, and each is divided into 10 million pixels. The ability to collect light sensor 1/1.7 will indeed be better than the design 1/2.5. But the Micro Four Thirds sensor is considerably larger, it is easy to understand why a camera like the Olympus E-P1 would have less difficulty to collect enough light to ISO 1600 to the equity of the best G11’s. It’s like putting three children from three different bins, and ask them to catch as many bean jelly as they can. It gets a Dixie cup, a quarter jar, and the other a bucket. When the jelly beans with a flying start, which will catch the most? The boy with the bucket. Transform your jellybeans particles of light, and sensors in your tank – or pixels on a sensor – and it’s easier to see why the larger pixels are better.
Thus, the Canon G11 is generally better than most small cameras with 1/2.5 sensors when it comes to image output, low noise, but not as good as cameras Micro Four Thirds or more, buckets each have considerably greater. But the sensor is not the only factor to consider.
Canon PowerShot G11 Lens. The G11 Canon 28-140mm lens is the same as the G10, a 5x zoom which does work very well. Corner softness is almost laughable, both telephoto and wide angle. Chromatic aberration is more sensitive to wide angle, but still relatively minor compared to most smaller aircraft. Quality of higher target is another reason to buy a larger camera like the Canon G11, and it is confirmed in our test results. In addition, the match of the lens to 10 megapixel sensor, and you’ll see even less of the weaknesses we have seen on the 14-megapixel G10.
Barrel distortion is average at wide angle, but it is noticeable if you are taking shots of buildings or other objects with straight lines in them.
Canon PowerShot G11 Autofocus. Canon Autofocus is generally excellent, but the G11 has given me some trouble. I am more of a center AF point kind of guy, rather than letting the camera choose what is important to concentrate. The Canon G11 is not to focus too often for my taste. I had the same problem with the Canon S90. Low contrast objects almost always give cameras to worry, but the G11 and S90 do so more often than I’m used to.
The Canon G11 has something that has been with the G-Series for a long time, which calls Flexizone Canon AF. You get a box autofocus single middle of the screen, and when you press the button to select the AF point, you can use the arrow keys or dial to move the box around the screen. It is particularly useful when working on a tripod and intend to focus on a particular point repeatedly, or when working with a model on a picture where the eye will be in the same area shot after shot .
When it works, the autofocus system of the Canon G11 is average for the class, the acquisition of focus and capturing an image in 0.54 seconds at wide angle and 0.75 seconds at telephoto. It can also focus down to 1 / 8 foot-candle without using its AF assist light when trained on a very uneven, and can focus in total darkness with the AF assist lamp is activated.
The Canon G11 also has some special features autofocus, plus face detection everywhere today. The feature I thought I most appreciate just got in the way that was the AF-point zoom. This expands the AF point, superimposing the image enlarged on the center of the screen, so you really can not compose your picture. If it is a face, you might be able to see that the eyes are under discussion, but you’ll have an idea of the term, so you must go into the menu to disable this function. Perhaps if the shortcut button can be set to turn the feature off and on, it would be more useful.
Canon PowerShot G11 Manual focus is also using the zoom function, but it does not work very well. If I half-press the shutter button to set the focus to about four feet, I see no essential difference in the zoomed image as I move the focus to infinity. Nowhere along the way do I see Focus “pop”, which is why I think manual focus the issue on the Canon G11.
However, continuous and Servo AF modes are interesting options that allow you to follow the subjects before and after you press the shutter button halfway, respectively. Servo mode is particularly useful when taking pictures of children who can rarely keep up.
Canon PowerShot G11 Image stabilization. Canon optics image stabilization is excellent, as always. Better to simply leave unless you have the Canon G11 mounted on a tripod. I prefer to leave it in continuous mode so I can see how it works, but if you’re in a situation where you need raw all stabilizing, you can get, set to shoot only, and the G11 will be able to to the greatest degree of correction when you press the shutter. There is also an option to view, you can activate when the tracking objects moving horizontally in front of you.
DPP vs ACR. Canon’s own Digital Photo Professional software (top) does a better job of reproducing what I saw on the screen of the Canon G11 as Adobe Bridge and Adobe Camera Raw 5.5 (bottom picture). The top image is the vibrant LCD G11 told me that I get, and DPP delivered. Turns out that the latest beta version of the CAB supports the G11 and does a little better (it’s a little more yellow). I leave it in just in case you experience the same thing.
Canon PowerShot G11 LCD. The Canon G11 LCD is dynamic, perhaps a fault. I used his exaggerated view of the world to capture what I thought were some pretty pictures of some glowing sun on the leaves of autumn orange. When I returned to the bridge, however, I was disappointed by the washed out yellow leaves, I saw, especially among the RAW images, and I started looking through the integrity of the LCD monitor.
When I opened the image in Canon’s DPP software (Digital Photo Pro), but I remembered instead of looking through Adobe Photoshop Raw engine aircraft. PDP had made quite a bit better than ACR, revealing the bright orange leaves in the middle of the dark orange color, while the CAB showed bright yellow leaves cons slightly orange / yellow leaves. Quite a difference.
However, the Canon G11 LCD is a bit more dynamic than what I see on my computer screen and I get the printer, then pay attention to this, more important, however, be aware of how you view your images on the screen because it is set up correctly, programs such as CAB will make your images look very different from what you remember.
And do you know, just after writing this, Adobe has announced ACR 5.6 Release Candidate, and the images look like much more than they should. Usually, if CAB does not support a camera, it will not interpret the RAW file at all, but not in this case. Be careful when you view your images from any new camera, especially RAW files. Canon DPP does a good job.
Canon PowerShot G11 Flash. Flash coverage was uneven at wide angle in our test plans, and some of my informal shots. But I try not to use the flash with a device much like that. Flash range is good, however, reach all the way to 16 feet, and also between eight and nine feet at telephoto, still not bad for a design on camera with a 5x zoom. These results were not as good as Canon’s G10 in our tests, but it has also been a different target when we tested this camera. To achieve the maximum ranges stated in Canon 23 and 13 feet, the G11 has to increase the ISO to 500, while the G10 reached at 15 and 9 feet with a whip to only ISO 250.
Sample movie. Movie Mode The Canon G11 is just okay. Here you can see the highlights are blown, and the digital zoom is very sweet.
The Canon PowerShot G11 movie mode. The movie mode is probably the least impressive feature on the Canon G11. Even with digital SLR cameras capable of extinguishing the HD video, not to mention many pocket cameras, is something of a disappointment to be limited to standard definition (SD). Well, it would be for most people, I’m still plenty happy with VGA resolution for most videos I shoot, but the competition (Panasonic LX3, for example) is filming in HD 720p. Neither the LX3 or the G11 can zoom optically when recording began, another disappointment. But at least the G11 Canon can focus during recording, which is something that most digital SLRs can not do. So video is always a mixed bag in this category, with few players while providing a camera.
Resolutions movie Canon G11 include 640×480 and 320×240, both at 30 frames per second. An 8GB card can give you an hour and four minutes of video recording function of your subject, but the camera stops recording when the file size reaches 4 GB, or one hour in length, whichever comes first. They also spec card SDHC Class 4 of these figures, or registration could begin earlier.
Canon PowerShot G11 Function and main menus.
Canon PowerShot G11 Menus. Like most Canon PowerShot, the parameters of the Canon G11 is shared between a function menu, accessible by pressing the FUNC / SET button and the main menu, accessible with the MENU button. Many companies have begun to imitate the system because it puts most settings-site where you can find them quickly. The function menu includes white balance, color mode, bracketing, flash EV, neutral density filter, Drive mode, and / Image Compression.
The main menu is a nice design standard three tab, but with semi new Canon 3D animation touches here and there. The third tab is reserved for My Menu settings, something that the individual sets for himself with his most frequently accessed settings. You can move between the tabs at any time by using the zoom toggle, and up and down menus with the jog dial back. The left and right arrows can also move between tabs, but you have to scroll up. When a menu item, they change the settings in this menu. Boring to read, but it works well, allowing quick changes to most camera settings at the time.
Canon PowerShot G11 Modes. The dial has the usual complement of Auto, Program, Time value, aperture value, manual, and a few scene modes, which I can enumerate here. But my favorite two parameters are C1 and C2. With them, you can do the type of camera you want to appear at any time without making many adjustments. I made two modes that should two people: one, a father taking pictures of children, the other a photojournalist working in stealth mode. The first, C1, snaps the Canon G11 Av mode, so I can blur the background as much as I want depending on the subject with an eye to shutter speeds faster. Vivid color, JPEG compression L, AF AiAF Face, Continuous IS, etc.
C2, my way of photojournalist captured in Program mode, with black and white as the color setting, the JPEG compression set to L, the central AF point is to draw only, and so on. Filming in Black and White mode puts the mind of the photographer in this Gritty luminance-only mode, and allows him to see what his publisher will eventually publish a vision of the photographers had to imagine before the digital cameras. If I had my way, I put the camera in RAW + JPEG mode with black and white, but when you go to capture RAW you lose all the color options and come to see the RAW that sees G11 . Pity.
I continue to find uses for custom modes, so I’m just wishing they had more cameras. The only things that can not be fixed with custom modes as far as I can tell are the two items with analog controls have become: EV compensation and ISO. They are on the dials on the top deck, and can not be canceled electronically.
One feature I like especially in playback mode comes into play when you’ve shot a RAW + JPEG image: Click on the Delete button, you can choose to delete the RAW and JPEG or just JPEG, RAW or only . Very clever, a necessary feature on many cameras.
Canon PowerShot G11 Storage and battery. The Canon G11 uses a lithium-ion NB-7L, one volt 7.4, 1050mAh cell. Beside it is the SD / SDHC card slot. The battery door locks better than most PowerShot cameras, although the design is essentially the same. The tripod is right next door to the battery to change cards and battery had to leave their tripod.
When you use the Canon G11 LCD to frame images that most use the NB-7L provides a relatively high 390 photos per charge. If you turn off the LCD, yet you get up to 1000 shots.
Canon PowerShot G11 Features
* 10-megapixel CCD
* 5x zoom lens (equivalent to a 28-140mm lens on a 35mm camera)
* 4x digital zoom
* Optical viewfinder
* 2.8-inch color LCD monitor
* Full Manual through Automatic exposure available, including Aperture and Shutter priority and 20 Scene modes
* Built-in flash with three modes and an intensity adjustment, plus red-eye reduction
* SD/SDHC memory card slot (no card included)
* USB 2.0 computer connection
* HDMI out
* Lithium-ion battery
* Software for Mac and PC
Overall, the Canon G11 is another great G-Series digital camera with lots of exciting photo enthusiasts. The backward step in the resolution seems to have made a difference in image quality overall, improving the apparent performance of the lens and the quality of the printed image of the Canon G11. It’s not perfect, and he leaves behind some standards, but the G11 is Canon’s cameras everywhere great, if you agree with his size. See below for the complete conclusion and see the tabs above and below our further analysis of the Canon PowerShot G11.
