PowerShot G series returns to its roots

Yay! The articulated LCD returns to the G series.

(Credit: Matthew Fitzgerald/CNET)

Canon PowerShot G11 photos

It really feels as though Canon's trying to recapture the past, or at least make up for some possibly poor decisions it's made over the past few years. For instance, though in many ways it bears little resemblance to the PowerShot G6, announced 5 years ago this month, that was the last G-series model with an articulated LCD, a feature beloved by many of the series' fans. And while last year's G10 jumped to 14.7 megapixels, bringing with it an increase in noise--anathema to the pixel peepers who play with these models--the new PowerShot G11 drops back to the 10-megapixel resolution of the several-generations-old G7.

Some points of comparison:

	Canon PowerShot G10	Canon PowerShot G11	Olympus E-P1	Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
Sensor (effective resolution)	14.7-megapixel CCD	10.0-megapixel CCD	12.3-megapixel Live MOS	10.1-megapixel CCD
	1/1.7-inch	1/1.7-inch	17.3mm x 13mm	1/1.63-inch
Color depth	n/a	n/a	12 bits	n/a
Lens	28-140mm f2.8-4.5	28-140mm f2.8-4.5	n/a	24-60mm f2.0-2.8
Sensitivity range	ISO 80 - ISO 1,600	ISO 80 - ISO 3,200	ISO 100 - ISO 6,400	ISO 80 - ISO 3,200
Focal-length multiplier	n/a	n/a	2x	n/a
Continuous shooting	1.3fps n/a	1.1fps n/a	3.0 fps n/a JPEG/10 raw	2.5 fps 4 JPEG/3 raw
Viewfinder	Optical	Optical	Optional hot-shoe optical (with 17mm lens)	Optional hot-shoe optical
Autofocus	n/a	n/a	11-area contrast AF	n/a
Metering	n/a	n/a	324 zone	n/a
Shutter	15-1/4000 sec	15-1/4000 sec	60-1/4000 sec; bulb to 30 minutes	60-1/2000 sec
Closest focus	0.4 inch	0.4 inch	n/a	0.4 inch
LCD	461,000-pixel, 3-inch fixed	461,000-pixel, 2.8-inch articulated	230,000 dots, 3-inch fixed	460,000 dots, 3-inch fixed
Video (max resolution at 30fps)	None 640x480 H.264 MOV	640x480 H.264 MOV	1280x720 Motion JPEG AVI	848x480 Motion JPEG MOV
Battery life (CIPA rating)	400 shots	390 shots	300 shots	380 shots
Dimensions (WHD, inches)	4.3 x 3.1 x 1.8	4.4 x 3.0 x 1.9	4.7 x 2.8 x 1.4	4.3 x 2.3 x 1.1
Weight (ounces)	14.1	14.3(estimated)	13.9	9.1
Mfr. Price	$499.99	$499.99	$749.99 (body)	$499.95
			$799.99 (with 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 lens)
			$899.99 (with 17mm f2.8 lens and optical viewfinder)

It doesn't look like Canon brought back the old technologies, though. The new LCD is larger and higher resolution and the sensor is possibly slightly larger (but CCD technology has definitely evolved). Plus it's got all the standard trappings that debuted in the G10, like the Digic four-level image processing and a wide-angle lens. The design looks similar, if a bit streamlined and updated for 2009. I'm not quite sure why it takes a performance hit in continuous shooting or battery life, however, and it remains to be seen if the overall speed improves over the G10's rather mundane performance. And no HD video. Ouch.

The PowerShot G11 is slated to ship in October.

[CameraD]

The PowerShot G10 can shoot video.

[shinelikeitdoes]

yep. i use mine for it all the time.

[lgrunin]

whoops. thanks for the catch.

[PiCASSiMO]

"And while last year's G10 jumped to 14.7 megapixels, bringing with it an increase in noise--anathema to the pixel peepers who play with these models--the new PowerShot G11 drops back to the 10-megapixel resolution of the several-generations-old G7. "

Happy that Canon is not jumping on the MP bandwagon. What is really important is the pixel density per square inch. The lower the number, the less noise at higher ISO values.

[bleech]

"Happy that Canon is not jumping on the MP bandwagon. What is really important is the pixel density er square inch. The lower the number, the less noise at higher ISO values".

That is not fully correct. While there is part of physics true, please read the Ctein articles down there at www.theonlinephotographer.com about the physics and reality of the sensors and sensor related noise. Eventually, the CMOS sensors from Canon do deliver better noise than the Samsung CMOS sensors from Pentax, having the latter a lower pixel pitch.

Noise is not only, and not mainly, a product of the pixel pitch. Else, the high sensibility cameras will still be 6mpx. And camera sensors have improved quite a bit.

Nevertheless, this is quite a shameful product, where specifications have been lowered. It is a step back in output resolution, as they should have stick to the 14mpx sensor and then IMPROVE the output noise.

It is not an improvement, it is trading some features for others. Actually, making the second most expensive part of the camera [the sensor] cheaper.

[stve10]

Happy that Canon is not jumping on the MP bandwagon ?
Canon has been driving that wagon for years surely you mean happy that Canon is jumping off the MP bandwagon

[The_JBJ]

Get a clue Canon!!! Why can't we get HD video, at least 720P, on EVERY ONE OF YOUR CAMERAS!! Also, you have the Digic V sitting around, why not put it in this camera? And Lastly, I know that a lot of people like it, but I would love the option to get a performance point and shoot WITHOUT the stupid swivel screen that adds bulk and shinks the screen size. The only good thing about this camera is that they brought the MegaPixels back to 10 where they belong on a sensor the size of a nail head.

[skycorgan]

No GPS despite the Nikon P6000 having this feature for a year? With iPhoto 09 and Picasa both featuring geotag capabilities, GPS should become a mainstream feature for these cameras, and is being sorely neglected.

I will wait to see what Nikon's next phase is for the P6000 before deciding.

[GeoSpatialExperts]

If the geospatial component is important to you, you should check out the Ricoh 500SE too. Back to Nikons ....for the D5000 and up, Nikons have ports for a wired connection to a handheld GPS receiver, allowing the camera to integrate the location coordinates into the metadata field for each photo. They also offer the GP-1 GPS receiver that mounts right on the hot shoe of the high-end models (D3, D2xs, D2x, D700, D300, D200, D90, and D5000).

[Neumenon]

GPS is a ridiculous gimmick that fools fall for to compensate for their inability to compose an image using a camera.

[skycorgan]

GPS is not a gimmick. GPS enables real, geospatial relation of your photography. Not every photograph is going to be instantly recognizable as to the location it was taken.

There are those who actually want the Lat/Long data so that the photographs can be mapped by location.

[ismaelmartinez]

I am disappointed that they dropped the MP count and did not include HD Video. The G's are like SLR's without the bulkiness, perfect for travelers and high end users that don?t want to hassle with lenses and bags.

I know the 10MP sensor maybe better than the 14.7 but for me it?s an admission that the G10 is an inferior product launched to soon. They have the parts in the Xt1i why not use them in the G11 it incomprehensible.

So they stepped back, I get it but I am disappointed.