Canon G11

What's this? A Canon review? Well, I had a chance to play around with the G11 for a day and know that many Nikon shooters like the G line from Canon as a second or third camera. So here's my review!

The G11 is a better camera than the G10 for one reason. It has fewer MP. The move from 15 to about 10 MP was designed to lower noise, especially at higher ISO's, but the G11 is still pretending to be something it's not. Though capable of a good picture in ideal conditions, the tiny sensor and lens are still no match for even a 400 dollar Nikon D40 DSLR. Nor is it as quick to shoot or anywhere near as likely to focus as well. In most respects this is a 200 dollar camera dressed in a very nice ergonomically superior case.

In Use
Like the G models prior, this is very easy to use and handle. The control dials mean (in many cases) that you don't need to mess with annoying menus to choose settings. This is not a pocket camera though. I generally preferred to keep it in a case.

AF System
The auto focus is just like that of several P&S cameras I've used. Good, but far from great. There is still a bit of lag and delay, mostly attributed to the focus module. In dim light the G11 struggles and frankly some much cheaper P&S models focus better in challenging situations.

Optics
This little 4X zoom is operating in approximately 28-135mm or so. For a tiny lens it does okay, but don't expect gobs of contrast and detail. Small lenses like this have limits and can't match even the cheapest DSLR lenses and this is not the best lens on a Canon P&S which is a major mistep.

Color and Overall Image Quality
With ISO low and in fairly good light you can take some good shots. The stabilizer works well and a skilled user can certainly do okay, but again I prefer to stress that G11 is barely any better than most P&S models costing 50% less.

Philosophy
As a shooter I've had enough of cameras that pretend to be more than they are. The G10 and G11's are the usual suspects in this idea. They are far, far below the abilities of DSLR's that cost as much or even less. Crippled by their sensors, the G series continues to be a design that comes well dressed to the party, but fails photographically to bring anything new to the table. Canon's move to 10mp, down from 15 does show some understanding of the market. At least some more sophisticated buyers will fully understand the G11 and pay for the case and ergonomic advantages. Others, seeking "top of the line" may be disappointed that they bought a 200 dollar Canon wrapped in a pretty body. So buyer beware.

Should I Buy One
If you fully understand what you're buying, then go ahead. But a certain group of less educated buyers will buy a G11 thinking it's a fixed-lens near-pro level camera. It's not even close to that. If you hunt around online you'll find tests with the G10 vs. much cheaper models like the Canon S880 and the G10 offers fuzzier optics! For those who are thinking of buy a G11 as a "timid" entry into more serious shooting, I'd like to suggest leapfrogging beyond it and getting a DSLR with a kit lens.

A review like this won't earn me fans, but it's honest. Canon fans will cry and post samples showing what the camera can do, but they're missing the point. This is an expensive LOOKING camera with inexpensive electronics packed inside. You decide if that will fit your requirements.

UPDATE
After trying the G11 at a show I had a second chance to play with the camera a few days ago while it was being demonstrated. It only served to reconfirm my opinion that this is a weak camera for the money it costs. At 300 dollars I could see it as a ergonomically viable alternative to some of the better P&S models, but the price is silly. The G11 absolutely does not focus as well as the new Canon SD980 for example and images are softer. Canon continues to make the G line look the part of serious rangefinder, yet has consistently fallen short. Those seeking an excellent P&S model should look no further than the SD980, which also bests the optics in the G11.