Canon PowerShot G11

Review Index – (updated 16 August’10)

PCAuthority has posted their review of the Canon Powershot G11 where they write – ‘It isn’t a lightning-fast performer to start with, though, and firmly in compact rather than SLR territory. There’s an integrated neutral density (ND) filter that reduces light by a factor of eight – perfect for adding motion blur to flowing water, for example. An HDMI port sends slideshows to an HDTV, but video capture is limited to VGA resolution.’

PhotographyReviewr has posted their review of the Canon Powershot G11 where they write – ‘Picture quality is terrific once processed from raw to a jpeg in Photoshop or similar program. The build is strong and high quality. The LCD screen opens and swivels–something I find absolutely essential. It has a variety of tricks, like a built-in neutral density filter.’

ePhotozine has posted their review of the Canon Powershot G11 where they write – ‘Overall, the G11 works almost flawlessly, and I can’t think of many improvements I’d need in a successor – apart from an accurate viewfinder. Canon again have come up trumps on the latest of the G-series, but before you rush out to buy one, make sure it’s the right camera for you, I’ll guarantee, if it is, you won’t be disappointed with the results.’

The Phoblographer has posted their review of the Canon Powershot G11 where they write – ‘For still images though, you won’t really get much better in the higher-end compact line of cameras. As a tip, try to constantly shoot at the widest aperture, which means not zooming in at all. Therefore, use it as if it has a prime lens.’

Shutterbug has posted their review of the Canon Powershot G11 where they write – ‘In all, the G11 proves itself to be an excellent traveling companion. I recently brought it along on a workshop shoot and most attendees felt that the articulating monitor was the best thing Canon did in this generation of the “G” line. Is this the ultimate and elusive second camera.’

Cameras.uk
“This camera is very hard to beat when it comes to quality. It scores very highly for picture quality, build quality and also the range of features on offer. It is aimed at the enthusiast and ticks almost all the right boxes. Recommended.”
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RegHardware
“No doubt the G11 will have a tough job fending off large-sensor competitors, but shop around and you’ll find it is still the best value-for-money option if you’re after a medium size compact with manual control and semi-professional output. I just wish Canon could redesign the viewfinder to make it a real image composition alternative to the LCD screen.”
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PCWorld India
“The G11 will appeal to point-and-shoot users who are ready for more power, control, and quality, but don’t want to carry around a camera with the bulk of an SLR.”

DPS
“Quality is about as good as it gets with this compact digicam. If you need better colour capture and higher resolution you may have to pick up a DSLR.

MacWorld
“The G11 is a camera that will appeal to point-and-shoot users who are ready for more power, control, and quality, but don’t want to carry around a camera with the bulk of an SLR. SLR users, meanwhile might want to pick one up as a second camera, for times when it’s not appropriate to lug a full SLR kit.”
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Neutralday
“Despite some average performance numbers the G11 is an excellent companion for serious photographers in the studio or on the field, and absolutely makes for a good traveling camera for photographers unwilling to bring bigger camera bodies (and lenses) along. With a versatile lens, and robust physical controls, the G11 is great at performing the task at hand, even if that task involves shooting in less than ideal environments.”

DigitalTrends
“What can we say? Canon’s on a roll now and its top-end cameras are winners. Just as Nikon was in the zone about a year ago hitting everything out of the park, Canon is locked in. Even though the G11—around $439 at legit online dealers – is an excellent camera though. If you can overlook the G11’s flaws—which are relatively minor in the grand scheme of things—it’s a fine choice.”
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Photocrati
If your criteria is solid build, great photo quality, easy to to pack then the G11 will probably be at the top of your list. Its built in lens is impressive with edge-to-edge sharpness that is tack sharp, not much distortion and almost no chromatic aberration. While it’s not the fastest camera on the block it does provide respectable burst rates even in its RAW setting and because of this will appeal to serious photographers who desire control and classic styling.

CNET
If you are comparing the S90 to the G11 there are a few reasons the G11 wins; optical viewfinder, movable LCD, longer zoom lens, hot shoe, and add-on lens support. The S90s lens is faster which many people prefer and it is cheaper.
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BobAtkins
For the power you get this is a fairly small and easy to pack camera. If staying inconspicuous and capturing high quality images is high on your list this just might be your camera. About the only issues are the lack of HD video, odd placement of a few of the control buttons and an optical viewfinder that has only 77% overage. Okay so the camera is not perfect but as the reviewer points out it’s just about the best thing going in its class and should be high on your “must see” list.

DPReview
For a compact camera the G11 combines quality photos with outstanding manual control. It is probably not the smallest camera but if the size does not bother you then it has very little competition. It does not have HD video which is a little odd and Canon left off some minor features, however, it does have a flip out LCD and on top of that it is a consistent over all performer which earns it a high recommendation from the reviewer.
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TrustedReviews
Reducing the pixel count on the G11 was bit of a gamble on Canon’s part but apparently it has paid off. This camera is built well and retains all the features and performance the G series is know and respected for plus the photo quality is as about as good as it is going to get on a small sensor camera. The reviewer felt it was one of the two to three best compacts on the market.
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Steves Digicams
The latest series of “G” cameras from Canon continues to impress the reviewer. They have always like this series of PowerShots but they do wish Canon would wake up and add items like HD video. However that being said they were very happy with the G11 because of its nice features, performance and quality. They recommend that if you are looking for smaller size camera that has a lot of the features of a full size DSLR the G11 just might be your camera. This camera is an outstanding value and they fully recommend it.

PhotoReview (Editor’s Choice)
The reviewer recommends you buy this camera if – You want a highly portable compact camera with an interchangeable lens – You want image stabilization you can count on – Functions and controls you typically would find on a DSLR – RAW shooting is important to you – The idea of shooting up to ISO 800 with low noise is appealing.
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Ken Rockwell
At the end of the day the S90 is a smaller camera than the G11 and has a faster lens for better low light photos, its LCD is larger, and a control ring around the lens which gives you access to most of the cameras settings. And as Ken noted, the control ring gives you control for making white balance adjustments quickly. He shot each camera side-by-side and they each are the same when it comes to speed and the photos are identical, all except for the low light images where the S90′s faster lens lets it capture better and cleaner pictures.

PhotographyBay
They really liked the G11. They thought this is the perfect camera for the person who’s tired of packing around a DSLR and would like a smaller camera but don’t want to sacrifice image quality. This camera can be available when you would have left your heavier DSLR at home. With that being said the reviewer highly recommended the G11 for people looking for a compact digital camera with exceptional performance.

DCResource
The G11 delivers very good quality pictures. When released the G11 was positioned as the best low light camera in its class, and Canon was not stretching the truth. It allows images to be captured at sensitivities a full stop higher than its competitor compact cameras. The reviewer noted that for those that take RAW photos even ISO 1600 from the G11 if used for small prints were completely usable. And unlike other low light compacts the G11 delivers noise free photos at lower ISO’s.

DPExpert
Canon actually listened to the critics and changed what was not working on G10, like the 14 megapixel sensor. Canon then responded by actually reducing the pixel count and turned a good camera into a great one.

Laurence Kim
Laurence noted his new G11 will be used three ways: wedding macro camera, carry with him all-the-time camera, and a vacation shooter. Professionally he would consider using it when it was necessary to overpower bright sun with off camera flash and using very high speed sync. There is really nothing this thing can’t do, the detail is impressive. In the Mr. Kim’s opinion the G11 is the best best small-sensor compact camera on the market.

GoodGearGuide
The reviewer really liked the image quality of G11 but it was not perfect. Some photos looked a little pale and some had haloing and wide angle photos did have barrel distortion. They thought the buttons could have been a little more substantial and in particular the shutter button’s two positions should have been made to be more distinct. The zoom was not that great but in the end they thought the G11 was an appropriately priced camera for those who want full manual control and would prefer to stick with a small compact camera.
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CNET Asia
The reviewer thought the G11 was a great camera and it has all the appropriate functions and features that users would appreciate. For DSLR owners the G11 would make a perfect compact camera to carry when your larger camera would not make sense. An LCD that swivels is a perfect creative tool when that awkward angle presents itself. their gripes were minor, and are easy to work around and get used to. The G11 is powerful and can be a creative photographic tool in the right hands.
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CameraLabs
“The G11 is not a bad camera it is actually a nice camera with good handling and it produces images better than most cameras when it comes to low light. It is just that today’s cameras offer bigger sensors and for the price that puts the G11 into a precarious position. Its target market is going to be tempted by the Micro Four Thirds or other models like the S90.”
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Gizmodo
“I enjoyed this camera, it was fun to use. If I didn’t want to pack a mongo DSLR this is the camera I would reach for and the best part is I would feel like I would not be losing much. Bottom line though, would I get this or the Panasonic’s Lumix LX3 which outpaced the G10? If you decide to lay out the cash for the G11 you won’t be sorry, in fact, you’ll be way too busy using it.”

DigitalCameraInfo
“The downside to the G11 is it price tag. It is just a shade cheaper than your entry level SLR, this is a real problem because cameras like the Panasonic GF1 are not that much bigger than the G11. However, at the end of the day the fact is the G11 is smaller and less expensive and if you are out in the great outdoors smaller and lighter definitely has the advantage over the larger, heavier, and more pricey SLR.”
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DigitalCameraReview (Editor’s Choice)
“The viewfinder stinks for composition, it’s just not very accurate, but hey, that’s about it as far as negatives go for this camera. It’s heftier than your run of the mill 5x point and shoots and the price is a little steep, but the camera will make just about everyone happy – auto controls, lots of scene shooting options, and manual controls with DSLR-like control (and RAW) for the more experienced photographer.”

Pocket-lint
“Unless you’re a low light shooter and/or you need to shoot low to the ground or over the heads of a crowd whereby that flexible LCD screen might aid composition, sticking with the 14.7 megapixel G10 – at the same price – seems like the way to go.”
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WDT
“With the reduction of resolution means that noise is much better controlled at higher ISO settings, while the vari-angle LCD screen is one of the best on the market. So, while obtaining a G11 does mean parting with a substantial whack of cash, if you do decide to purchase then you’ll undoubtedly be bagging yourself an excellent camera that should last many years. “
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Luminous Landscape
“For the money the G11 is a good value for a lot of photographers, with the addition of its articulated LCD and optical viewfinder the camera is unique in this marketplace. That’s the main reason it gets my “Recommended” stamp. Competition is strong, and for low noise, high quality images there are now some impressive alternatives in the medium-sized pocket camera arena.”

TechRadar
“While the PowerShotG11 ticks a lot of boxes, it doesn’t tick all of them, so if slim dimensions and quality video performance are as important as advanced creative options, you may be better looking elsewhere.”
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VisualScienceLab
“What I like about the G11:

1. Great form factor. It feels nice in the hand.
2. Wonderful analog feel to the dedicated controls you’ll use most often.
3. Great ISO performance up to 400. Very good up to 800.
4. Standard hot shoe allows you to use a range of flashes, from Canon’s big guns, to generic single contact flashes to a wide range of radio triggers.
5. Sync speeds of up to 1/2000th (and not just in an “FP” mode…..)”

PhotographyBlog
“We don’t feel it holds up to the Canon’s claim of this being the ‘ultimate’ compact – especially when you’ve had the opportunity to swap lenses as on the competing Olympus Pen and Panasonic GF1 Micro Four Thirds models, the latter being a near ringer for the Canon in terms of size, shape and form. But then, with those models lenses cost extra, and with the G11 you have mostly everything you’d want in one neat package, which shouldn’t be underestimated.”
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ePhotozine
“Is it worth the price? For the came money can get you the Leica D-Lux 4 which is older but has a higher prestige to it. It’s also the same price as some DSLRs and that’s the unfortunate point; it’s a compact. Sure, it’s a high spec compact with a lot to offer and in some cases, a better performance but it’s a compact nonetheless.”
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DigitalRev

CNET.uk
“The Canon PowerShot G11 is certainly one of the best serious compacts on the market, but you’ve got to ask yourself just how much you ought to be spending on any camera with a 1/1.7-inch sensor, especially given the emergence of the new breed of large-sensor hybrids, like the Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1.”
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CPN
“The capabilities of the G11 are also expanded by a new Low Light Mode that can push the ISO rating up to 12,800 and deliver 2.5 megapixel images, at up to 2.4fps, in situations where you want to achieve low noise in low light.”