Canon Powershot G11

Review Index – (updated 18 November’09)

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.
Rating:  

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.
Rating:  

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.”
Rating:  

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.”
Rating:  

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.”
Rating:  

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. “
Rating:  

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.”
Rating:  

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.”
Rating:  

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.”
Rating:  
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.”
Rating:  

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.”