Canon PowerShot G11 leaks out, looks promising
By Darren Murph 
posted August 19th 2009 8:20AM
posted August 19th 2009 8:20AM
[Thanks, Reznov]
posted August 19th 2009 8:20AM
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For the price point that the G10 was selling for, I don't see why you wouldn't just get an entry level DSLR. For the price point, it gives you more options down the road.
Even the smallest DSLR or micro4/3 camera is worlds bigger than these 'bridge' cameras. Even the Olympus E-P1 can't be truly considered a 'pocketable' camera.
For those of us that have several DSLRs but want something small to take use on an everyday basis, this is a great camera. I reach for my G10 a lot.
You raise a good point, but it serves a few purposes. Mostly for those who are just getting into photography, but don't want to spend a lot on lenses and other accessories. As mentioned in earlier comments, you can take this pretty much anywhere without any issues. Try walking into a concert or other similar event with an dSLR.
It's also nice to have something small like this if you wanna snap quick pictures but with a lot more quality than a regular P&S.
A lot of my photographer friends have this camera in their bag along with their dSLR's.
I know lots of people who love their G cameras. They're actually really portable and well built. I don't own one, but I was very tempted to buy a G9 not long ago.
I'm quite surprised by this announcement though - I was under the impression that the G10 was to be the last G-series camera. I believe Canon said the SDK was being discontinued after the G10 (IIRC, they didn't confirm the line was being dropped, but that's the conclusion most people drew from it).
I'm glad they're keeping the series alive. Although I would have expected HD video recording (these devices are sold at comparatively high prices).
If you compare E-P1:s size to this, the argument that E-P1 isnt pocketable fits G-11 too. With the pancake lens their sizes are similar. E-P1 sligtly larger but not much.
And there's 2 more m4/3 cameras coming from Olympus, one for pros and one for prosumers. And then theres the Panasonic GF-1. All these are going to eat canon G-11 potential market. Olympus prosumer camera might be G-11 sized.
As the Panasonic and Olympus cameras will have better image quality due to ten times larger sensor Canons only option is to compete with price. The slightly tinier size will make the nichè too small to be competiteve. So expect a price drop compared to G-10, escially when olympuses E-P1 little brother is released.
But for one thing I applaud at Canon. They have finally stopped the silly megapixels race which had started to hurt image quality. They actually went back 2 generations with pixel count, even G-9 had more pixels. And I consider this to be very positive development.
I see no point in these cameras...nearly as expensive as a DSLR not as good...rather off getting a proper DSLR with professional feature..for not too much extra money...
Alright one might argue DSLRs are bulky...but they are wya better than these ones...if you're going to shoot RAW and use prof. flashes with the hotshoe and all...a DSLr is still better.
They're great for events (concerts, sports) where professional cameras are banned. :)
No mirror slap and probably greater shutter life than your run-of-the-mill DSLR, too.
(to pick out two less-obvious advantages)
Usually the lenses in these premium enthusiast cameras are better than your average bundled kit lens, too.
At least we hope so.
For walkabouts they are hard to beat. I had an old D70 that is just bulky that I cant bring on an everyday basis.
I then got a G10 a month ago and I'm taking more pictures with it now:
in and out of markets, inside trams, streetside photos, timelapse movies.
It was expensive at AUD680 but it is at a practical sweet spot for me and I'm getting more out of it in recent weeks.
Feature-rich, easy manual controls, portable and non-intimidating.
It's already official, press is out
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0908/09081908canong11.asp#press
I wouldn't count on a dSLR surviving the moutain bike or canoe trips on which I often take my high-end super-zoom. Besides, other than a shallow depth of field and the ability to shoot active sports, I haven't seen a dSLR anywhere near what I paid for my FZ18 that gives me any advantages that I care about.
"I see no point in these cameras"
Hmm, perhaps a trip to the opticians is required. If you are serious about your photography then one of these things are great because you can still take excellent pictures in situations when a DSLR or medium-format camera is impractical or unavailable. Let's face it, it's either something like this or a cameraphone...
For the record I am serious about my photos....I'd rather take an IXUS with me on a bike trip or something not a very expensive dSLR wanna be....they're nice in specs but for the price a bit too xpensive and close too the dSLR entry level range....ofc some ppl might find diffrent prices in US and all..but down in EU they not too far apart..
Hey guys,
I've set up a petition to motivate Canon to add HD video recording to next year's G12.
Please add your name - http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/CanonG12
Thx, Fraggle
Looks like this is the same CMOS sensor in the SX1 IS/SX10 IS.
I hope this is the beginning of the end of the megapixel wars. 10 MP for point-and-shoots is plenty, IMO.
The SX10 has a CCD
Shoot, reading up more on this camera, it looks like it's using a CCD. There goes my hope for higher fps numbers. A 10MP 1/1.7" CCD isn't bad. At least the quality per pixel should be better than the G10.
I guess the engineers finally got through to the marketing guys.
I bought a G10 last week : (
I am glad that Canon dropped the megapixel count...14.7 megapixels on a small sensor was just too much. What the G12 needs is an actual dSLR sensor. I just bought a Rebel XSi because I was tired of low-light noise in my point and shoot Canon. I also REALLY like the wide-angle option...I do storm photography.
I have you beat. I bought mine Monday. I'll definitely thinking of reselling my G10 if the G11 has HD video recording.
@ gadjitfreek: A DSLR sensor would mean that the camera would need a bigger lens for the same 5x zoom or lose the zoom and get a fixed 28mm equivalent or similar lens. The Sigma DP2 has a 41mm equivalent lens and is probably the closest to what you are asking for. That or the Olympus E-P1 with the 17mm pancake lens (34mm equiv.). But the EP1 is a bit bigger overall compared to the G10 or the DP2 even with the pancake.
The drop to 10 MP should fix the biggest problem with the G10--the (relatively) noisy images.
Wow! Surprising so soon after the G10. Looks sweet, waiting for the specs.
10MP seems strange, but this solves the pixel density issue with the G10 (14.7mp), will it rec HD video too? But apart from noise reduction, what will this offer over the G10 (and swivel screen)
Wow! Wow! Wow! the swiveling LCD is back wow! I didn't even read about it. Good work Canon! No way it will be 10mpx
Why not? There's no point to make it more than 10 MP.
It will become official like now...
http://www.canonrumors.com/2009/08/hello-amsterdam/
Canon press conference started like 5 mins ago.
More cameras leaked! New Canon Digital ELPH/Digital IXUS 120 IS leak and images
http://dpinterface.com/site-news/canon-digital-ixus-120/
1 point: 10mp Is from 2-3 years ago, even when the mpix comes up the noise does not improve they continue the same or are reduced.
Lets wait and see.
It's all on usa.canon.com now.
http://www.usa.canon.com/templatedata/pressrelease/20090819_powershot.html
Yes! It's only 10mp!
I absolutely applaud Canon for having the balls to pull out of the damned Megapixels race and release something that will improve low-light performance rather than just cramming in more pixels in order to give a higher number that customers will equate with a better product. This is the sort of thing that serious photographers need as a backup.
Totally agree. I may have to buy it just for that reason alone as a vote of support. The swivel LCD screen coming back is a big bonus to me also. I may finally replace my G1!
I guess since I brought up the E-P1 in comparison, I suppose I should point out its disadvantages against the G11.
With the 17mm pancake the E-P1 is slightly bigger than the G11, but it's a 34mm equivalent (fixed) compared to the G11's 28-140mm 5x zoom lens.
E-P1 has no built-in flash, so to get the capability (for fill-flash as an example) you need to buy and attach an external unit. Portability goes down, cost goes up.
There is no viewfinder built-in on the E-P1, but one does come supplied with the 17mm lens. But to use it you need to attach it to the shoe, meaning you cant use it and a flash at the same time. And it's only properly usable with the 17mm lens.
The E-P1's screen is fixed (not to mention lower resolution), where the G11 brings back the tilt/swivel unit of previous incarnations.
That being said, the E-P1 and future m4/3 cameras have a lot going for them: better high ISO performance, faster continuous shooting, more flexible lens options, and HD video capture. If the E-P1 had a built-in flash it would be on my list of possible replacements to my old Sony.
Haha I love how the word "professional" is being thrown around and associated with a camera just because it's a "DSLR." Your camera being a DSLR doesn't make it "professional." The "DSLRs" you're PROBABLY referring to (Rebels, D40Xs, etc.) are rarely used by professionals. Professionals spend 8-grand on a 1DSIII or a D3X. They don't buy crappy little Rebel XSis (although they can take great pcitures). Further, I would never buy a G11. Useless. I use a Canon SD780 IS. The pictures that come out of it will be nearly identical (if not identical) to the pictures coming out of the G11. The sensor size of these class cameras are all the same. IQ comes down to sensor size (in a nutshell). Would I take a G11 if it were free? Sure. Would I buy one instead of a Rebel XS? Never. You can get a full Rebel XS kit for $500 shipped. You can rub dirt on its lens and the pictures will still come out better than on a G11.
The reason why I still use the Powershot A95 is because of the swivel LCD screen. Its helps you get better angle shots that you normally would try to get.