Canon G11

Compact, but with axes to play

Canon has made a choice to counter its PowerShot G11: to reduce the sensor resolution, the 14 megapixel 10 megapixels to the current G10. In this test, we analyze the goodness of this particular choice.

Compactness is a feature in all areas must always be accompanied with some compromises, often on the quality front. The scope on the digital photography is one of those where this is often true, so as to turn up our noses to the most demanding photographers whenever the term compact is matched to the photographic art.

One might point out how this behavior is not always justified, even products like Leica M9 make clear that even in a digital world machine size is too large to provide the highest quality. Down some steps and arriving within the circle of cameras accessible to a much greater number of pockets, with some compromise, you can find good quality images even in bodies of pocket (or almost). The baby, but constantly growing, segment of EVIL cameras or CSC is another example, but also in the compact range are examples in this regard.

First impressions

Usually, it’s quite compact cameras niche, characterized by fixed optics and sensors larger the average compact zoom or low range sensors and a small step or larger. Are active in this field names as Sigma, Ricoh and Leica same, this is also list of cameras with high zoom twin sisters of the top models from Panasonic. Canon with its G-series has always tried to guard this area and his last outing has memory cards.

The decision to decrease, in contrast with the dictates of the market and mass marketing, the number of pixels crammed onto the sensor than the previous generation has found widespread acclaim. Canon is, in fact, went from 0:14 megapixels of the two previous generations, the 10-megapixel CCD format on 1 / 1, 7 “of the PowerShot G11. The curiosity of this choice is great, but before moving to Field test analyze in detail the pro compact Canon home.

Coming from the world of old cameras and mechanical the first impact with the Canon PowerShot G11 is very reassuring: a solid and fairly generous in size, clear dials to adjust the parameters most important step, a Galilean optical viewfinder, the flash slide.

The viewfinder

The optical viewfinder is certainly a welcome above all for those coming from the analog world, but is considered an accessory for difficult situations, is not eliminated because of parallax error, both the size (magnification reduced and tunneling fairly pronounced); also the total lack of information inside can not use it while you change the parameters of shooting.

The rest of the references style a bit ‘vintage is very functional ergonomics of the machine: the main parameters of step exposure compensation and ISO settings are easily accessible and modifiable by solid rings, definitely much more comfortable command of other compact requiring the combination of + key ring, selection and parameter modification via joypad, or even passing on the menu.

The torque diaphragm if found in time-priority mode or aperture concentric ring an excellent support in the 4-way joypad, using fully manual requires switching by using the button that acts as a shortcut to adjust the metering. The first case this pressure is passed from the time settings to the aperture, while a second press gives access to the modification of metering is required and a third time to return to change aperture. A dedicated solution, even to using the custom button in the upper left, we would have liked more.

The control for manual focus can be accessed from the button joypad up and controlled by the concentric ring. The solution here is very fast and easy to use thanks to zone automatic focus. But it is not always clearly audible, especially when the light is not great and the images in Live View are a bit disturbed by ‘electronic noise in this case a higher resolution display (not that we can actually complained of 461,000 points Screen 2.8 “) would make operations more simple and precise.

Attach external flash

The ability to attach external flash to the slide or transmitters, greatly expands creative possibilities of this compact. In the photo above, for example, we see the little Canon Powershot G11 in an improbable configuration flash torch.

The question most people ask is: “It makes sense to buy a camera like this?”. Allocate a budget for the purchase of a Canon Powershot G11 and then use it only in full automatic like any compact does not make much sense, because at this juncture the JPEG out of the machine are comparable with those of other compact-end medium-high proposals at lower prices and data plate greater importance, especially in terms of travel optics.

For more advanced uses, where the hand of the photographer and his creativity are in the foreground instead of the Canon G11 proves to have some gear. The flexibility offered by RAW is rare commodity within compact and allows a fine job of postproduction, simply inapplicable in the case of JPEG, possibly very compressed. The lens could be a bit ‘brighter, especially at maximum focal length, providing additional opportunities in low light conditions, where the G11 has already proven to know how to defend so good.

Canon G10 vs. G11

The change from 14 megapixels to 10 megapixels of the Canon G10′s new G11 is a choice that deserves acclaim on all fronts. The sharpness of the overall system does not decrease as drastic as one would expect to read simple numbers, indeed, even with the increase of the Canon G11 ISO can resolve finer details than does her sister.

Launched with a list price can scare many people, € 625.00 Canon G11 is now available online to almost $ 200 less, putting it in a band much more accessible and more competitive interpretations of competition. By taking a step currently a price below EVIL cameras, the Canon PowerShot G11 has many cards to play and is able to drop some routes will surprise even the most skeptical of photographers compact cameras.