Canon PowerShot G11 review

In this review

This sluggishness affects other areas of the camera's operation. The 'quick shot' mode is as good as its word, grabbing pictures with minimal delay -- unless it's still chewing over the last one you took, which will take it a second or so. And surely in manual-focus mode there should be no shutter lag at all -- yet there is. Cartier-Bresson would not be impressed.


The test chart shows good definition and contrast, and this is maintained right to the edges of the frame and across the full focal range (click image to enlarge)

The three-tier rotary controller on the back has too much to do, too. Its cramped, light and somewhat vague feel is at odds with the meaty, chunky dials on the top plate. Canon's gone a long way towards reproducing the tough, hands-on, mechanical feel of a traditional, professional camera with the G11, and then spoilt it with this... thing. What's wrong with the simple control wheels on old G-series cameras?

Conclusion
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.

Edited by Charles Kloet

User reviews3

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swag's avatar

swag 13 October 2010

Good: easy to use

Bad: very slow processor

Comment: good compact a little expensive

I own it
Glen Godfrey's avatar
3 stars out of 5

Glen Godfrey 21 August 2010

Good: Picture quality and price.

Bad: Not added feature to replace lenses

Comment: This compact G11 is a great little camrea. If your looking for highend photo’s go out and buy a highend DSLR. I shoot all types of photos from portraits to macro and everything in between. When I’m out on a shoot I lug a bag of photo gear that would brake the back of the weak, now I take one DSLR and my Canon G11 as a back up to get the job done. The G11 is a fun lovin’ work horse. I’m about to do a shoot with an up and coming fashion model, I will start the job with my G11 to put it to the test, so far the G11 can hold it’s own up against the big DSLR’s. I’m a Nikon guy and realy like the Canon G11. It get’s the job done and does it well.

I own it
mogginski's avatar
4 stars out of 5

mogginski 17 February 2010

Good: Sturdiness of the body.

Bad: Video - not as sharp as Canon G9 video

Comment: Replaced my G9 with this G11 - mainly only shoot RAW - found far less noise at ISO80 with this camera than the G9. Best part is having all the major controls on top of the camera like ISO, exposure etc. Could never contemplate having a jpeg only P&S camera, this one gives you total control when RAW shooting. However the wide angle jpegs also come in handy for certain landscapes.
Video is a let down. Assumed it would be similar to that obtained from the G9 but I found it distinctly unsharp which basically means I wont be using it. Tried another copy of the G11 and found that to be the same so it looks like the problem is not me!
Software wise the supplied Canon RAW converter(DPP) does a good job with colours, sharpness and any CA. Well pleased.

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