The Canon PowerShot G11 is Canon’s top compact camera, designed for seasoned snappers rather than photography greenhorns. Does it offer a top class compact experience or should you just opt for a DSLR instead? Read our full Canon PowerShot G11 review for the full skinny.
First things first. While the Canon PowerShot G11 is technically a compact camera, it’s not going to slip easily into your trouser pocket (unless you’re a clown and in uniform). It measures up at a chunky 112 x 76 x 48mm and weighs 355g, so this isn’t a camera you can simply grab when you’re on your way out to the pub.
Everything about the design – the flash hotshoe, the chunky grip and dials, the cold metal body – serves to make the Canon PowerShot G11 look and feel like a serious photographer’s camera. Which it is. The sheer range of buttons and knobs will put off most point-and-shooters, but snappers who know their aperture from their elbow will appreciate the way you can swiftly set the shooting style, ISO sensitivity, exposure compensation and so on.
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The spec is high too. The twisting, fold-out 2.8-inch screen is clear and bright and the built-in flash is powerful, while the flash hotshoe on top can take full-size Speedlites and Macro Ring Lites if you need more light. There’s an HDMI output for quick hook-up to an HD television.
One thing that might surprise some people is the megapixel count: the sensor in the Canon PowerShot G11 has 10 megapixels, while that used by the Canon PowerShot G10 the G11 replaces had 14.7 megapixels. But size isn’t everything, and the G11’s sensor is a new model that produces less noise than its predecessor.
In fact, the Canon PowerShot G11’s image quality is superb. There’s some purple fringing visible at times, if you look really closely, and the 5x zoom lens exhibits quite pronounced barrel distortion at the wide end, but aside from that we have no complaints: shots are crisp, bright, show a wide dynamic range and don’t suffer too much from noise at higher ISO settings (the ISO range is 80 to 3200). You can also shoot in RAW, allowing for more tweaking in post production – another factor that’ll appeal to serious photogs.
There’s no room for HD video recording, unfortunately: you’re limited to 640 x 480 at 30fps as your maximum movie quality. But again, this is a still photographer’s tool rather than an all-rounder, so we can’t be too disappointed.
All in all, the Canon PowerShot G11 feels like an evolution of the already superb G10. It’s not cheap or particularly compact, but if you’re looking for a second high quality camera to supplement your DSLR, or a powerful step-up from your existing compact snapper, this fits the bill.
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