Frederick’s Canon PowerShot G11 camera review provides a huge amount of detail, including pros and cons and some comparison to previous Canon G-Series cameras. This is a very useful review for photographers thinking about buying a Canon G11.
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Featured Review: Canon PowerShot G11
by frederick (Intermediate)
| Price Paid: $499.00 from B&H Review Date: July 2, 2010 Used product for: More than 1 year Overall Rating: |
4 of 5
5 of 5
Summary:
The Canon G11 sits at the top of the G series. I formerly owned the G9. I miss the intervalometer that allows a times series of shots, although I never used it much. I just miss not having the capability. I am more concerned about the loss of a powerful telephoto range that the G9 had. I needed it then, used it, and need it now but don’t have it. More recently I needed to back up our pro photographer with video that I might get, but he couldn’t. For example, recently we took simultaneous balloon rides in different balloons. One went one way, my balloon went the other. I then realized I can’t shoot 1080 video. Far from it. More like 640. That got me looking to Nikon, but the P100 Nikon offers has no raw format. I shoot raw. It’s really important because the pro can clean up my mistakes if I got a shot he didn’t. I use it, carry it everywhere, and get great shot with it. We can use them in our magazine and of course online on my company’s Web site. I bought a non-Canon brand of super wide angle attachment that is a bit of a nuisance, and of course the Canon telephoto attachment offers little power. Even the off-brand attachment doesn’t correct for the G-11′s weakness, compared to the G-9. Would I buy it again? I might. I need the raw format, but next time around I really have to get HD video capability. And I really miss the telephoto capability of the G-9, considering that I work for an aviation publication and frequently need a strong zoom. I know you are thinking I need a DSLR. I have always had one and am about to buy another. But with the airline fees and hassle, and delay in getting checked baggage, I never check baggage. That means a DSLR system makes the suitcase way to heavy. It makes it way too full, as well, meaning good luck on stuffing it in the overhead bin while anxious passengers behind you wait. I of course can’t take a camera bag. My suitcase and the computer case use up my allotment of bags, so all the expensive DSLR stuff has to come out of its protective cases, and rely on clothing for protection. Not a good situation for thousands of dollars of equipment. In the final consideration, it is the image that matters and must be, in my case, publishable. For that, I trust the G11 and its raw capability, and the ability to add an external flash which I have purchased.
Strengths:
Picture quality is terrific once processed from raw to a jpeg in Photoshop or similar program. The build is strong and high quality. It has image stabilization, but most do. The LCD screen opens and swivels–something I find absolutely essential. It has a variety of tricks, like a built-in neutral density filter. The video function has several useful modes. Flash can be compensated–either turned down or up. It nearly always needs to be turned down. Macro capability gets used 30 percent of the time to get really close. It has the raw format (unprocessed data). Auto white balance works very well. It has a screw-in feature on the bottom for attaching to a tripod–something essential if you can get the tripod in the suitcase. Exposure compensation is a handy wheel on the left top of the camera. Manual focus includes an enlarged section on the viewfinder that lets you use tiny details of the subject to set focus.
Weaknesses:
Zoom is not powerful enough. Video is a low 640 resolution, not good if you are editing video from different cameras, and one of them is high definition. The controls on the back are a bit tiny and are easily bumped and actuated by accident. I’ve hit he manual focus many times when I didn’t intend to. The intervelometer (timed exposures that let you capture a flower blooming, but replay it back in a few seconds}. is gone, compared to the G9 I formerly owned. It really isn’t a pocketable camera–too thick for that. Probably too heavy for a shirt pocket as well. Lots of features to learn and not using it for a month means relearning, or opening the owner’s manual once again.
Similar Products Used:
As I mentioned, I had a G9. Before that I had the S-series and really enjoyed the super telephoto of those cameras, like the G9. Now that is missing. I have also owned three Canon DSLR cameras and most recently a Nikon D300, which was sold because it lacks video. I’ve never had anything but Canon point-and-shoots and I feel they have an advantage over Nikon point and shoots. If Nikon ever gets all the features I want in one camera, I might switch. As far as picture quality is concerned, Nikon and Canon are tops, although I have seen great results from Olympus and other brands.
Customer Service:
This is one reason to be a Canon customer. Canon has, in my case, a bunch of technicians sitting near Norfolk, Va., waiting for your call. They are extremely helpful. Service is first class. I once had an S series Canon point and shoot repaired at a repair station in Chicago, and that was a great experience with prompt service and quick work. The repair station was located near O’Hare Airport, and I dropped the camera off in person. A little disconcerting was the large number of people, 10 or 15, waiting to have their point and shoots repaired. Made me wonder if Canon had a problem, but as long as they repair it quickly, I am happy. The problem turned out to be a streak of oil inside the S series camera that resulted during manufacturing. It was right on the lens, but inside the camera. Interestingly, the camera store where I bought it accused me of expecting too much from a point and shoot, and got quite insulting, before Canon technicians discovered the oil streak inside the lens. I made sure the camera store got two or three updates from me on the status of the camera and the repairs made by the Canon technicians. Maybe Nikon is just as good.
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