Canon have announced their PowerShot G11 compact camera.
Interestingly, it has less megapixels than its predecessor, the G10, and Canon have instead concentrated on making a low-noise sensor, with greater light sensitivity.
This is of great interest to DSLR owners who would like a compact camera, as it’s the first time we’ve seen a compact that puts the emphasis on picture quality, rather than trying to compete with everyone by having the most pixels.
Canon describes their Dual Anti-Noise system:-
The Dual Anti-Noise System represents a collaboration between the new High Sensitivity sensor and the high performance DIGIC 4 image processor.
The area of each pixel within the new sensor is 45% larger than the sensor previously used (from 14.7MP in previous comparable products). When this factor is combined with the latest sensor technology the result is a marked improvement in signal/noise ratio.
When used with the advanced DIGIC 4 Noise Reduction technology – which has been optimised for the new sensor – the overall result is a maximum noise reduction advantage of 2-stops.
Put simply, the user will benefit from a noise level that’s as low as a 1⁄4 of the noise produced from previous comparable products at the same ISO sensitivity. Alternatively the user can shoot up to an ISO sensitivity level 2-stops higher with the same noise performance.
This leap in noise performance has allowed some significant changes to the camera operation:
In Auto ISO: the maximum high ISO speed chosen by the camera has been raised to ISO 1600 (ISO 400 in PowerShot G10). This means that camera shake and subject blur is reduced when shooting in Auto modes in dark scenes.
When using the flash with Auto: the maximum ISO has increased to ISO 800 (ISO 250 in PowerShot G10) thus extending the flash effective distance and allowing brighter backgrounds in dark situations with flash.
Dynamic range: the dynamic range has been greatly expanded to a level approximately four times greater than the PowerShot G10. This means a great improvement in shadow details and reduction of highlight blowout in scenes with large differences in contrast.
Low Light Mode: the shooting mode previously named ISO 3200 Scene Mode has been changed to Low Light mode with a number of enhancements. In a reduced 2.5MP resolution, the camera chooses from ISO between ISO 320 and ISO 12800 to enable you to shoot in darker scenes than ever before without having to use flash. In Low Light mode, the PowerShot G11 can also shoot continuously at a fast 2.4fps.
Press release follows…
Canon today announces the launch of the feature packed PowerShot G11, the successor to the multi award-winning PowerShot G10 – the favourite compact of professional photographers and photoagencies the world over.
Commenting on his use of the predecessor to the PowerShot G11, the PowerShot G10, Gary Knight, acclaimed photojournalist and co-founder of the VII Photo Agency, said: “As a photojournalist who covers warzones, one of the main challenges I face is getting high quality images in hostile environments. To achieve this I need a camera that offers great image and build quality without the bulk, and the PowerShot G series is perfect for this purpose. When shooting in areas of conflict, it’s important to have a compact camera in my bag that allows me to work discreetly but also provides the level of quality required to get the photos I need. The G Series excels in this respect, delivering great quality images from a compact body that is less intimidating than that of an SLR.”
Professional photographers will benefit from the G11’s greatly expanded dynamic range. Canon’s new Dual Anti-Noise System combines a high sensitivity 10.0 Megapixel image sensor with Canon’s enhanced DIGIC 4 image processing technology to increase image quality and greatly improve noise performance by up to 2 stops (compared to PowerShot G10). The PowerShot G11 also includes i-Contrast technology, which prevents high-light blowout whilst retaining low-light detail – ideal for difficult lighting situations.
The premium quality Canon lens delivers picture-perfect performance, offering a 5x wide angle (28mm) zoom with optical Image Stabilizer (IS). This allows handheld shots to be taken at much slower shutter speeds (4-stops) than conventional non-IS models – allowing perfect shooting in darker conditions or at a lower ISO. Greatly reducing blur caused by camera shake, photographers can shoot at longer focal lengths and in lower light conditions without the need for a tripod.
The digital compact includes the ability to shoot in RAW format and is compatible with Canon’s Digital Photo Professional (DPP) software, ensuring that photo shoots can be easily integrated into a photographer’s workflow.
Stephen Munday, Senior Operations Director, Editorial, Getty Images, comments: “The quality of images delivered by the PowerShot G series are so good that we use G10 images within our editorial library, and our photographers using the G series models do so because of the image quality and flexibility they provide.”
The Canon G series are excellent cameras. They're actually the reason I ended up getting my dSLR. I was going to purchase the G9 (I believe that's the one) because of it's functionality and got really into all the manual setting hoopla and did a bunch of research and right before I went to buy the camera I found a used Rebel XT for the same price and made the leap. I'd love to have a G-series camera for the quick moments still though.
I am hoping to get one of these once the price drops a bit. I miss having a camera on me at all times, my 40D plus lenses is too heavy/bulky to carry about on the chance I will use it.
I am hoping to get one of these once the price drops a bit. I miss having a camera on me at all times, my 40D plus lenses is too heavy/bulky to carry about on the chance I will use it.