russelljtdyer
Writer
Canon G10 Instead of G11
Canon G10 Instead of G11
Since you're considering the Canon G11 and a few people here have recommended it, let me suggest that you consider the G10. You can still buy them at some stores and on-line, although they've been replaced by the G11. I think the G10 is better and if you're lucky, you can buy a slightly used one from someone who has to have the latest of everything. By the way, I own a G10 and find it to be an excellent camera to take anywhere. I also have a Canon 5D Mark II as well as a few film cameras. I like to take the G10 with me when I'm carrying my film cameras and not my 5D MII.
Back to my argument about G10 over G11: The G10 will take pictures at 14.7 megapixels, while the G11 is only at 10 megs. The image size of the G10 is 4416 x 3312 pixels; the G11 is less at 3648 x 2736. The G10 has a 3-inch LCD; the G11 has only 2.8 inches, but it will swing out. That's why it's smaller: they needed room for the hinge and all. To me, that's irritating: you have to flip out the LCD to see it, making you more conspiculous. I may be wrong on that, though. It might twist around and lay flat and face out. The G11 does have a faster flash sync (1/2000 of a second), but the G10 is fast enough (1/500). The G11 also has a HDMI connector: that probably took up some space and manufacturing expense. The G10 shoots at 1.3 shots per second; the G11 does 1.1 shots per second. Both are a bit slow on that. The G11 has greater digital zoom (5x) than the G10 (4x), but digital zoom is pointless and a bad idea: you'd do better enlarging on your computer. The optical zoom is the same for both.
Some have argued that 15 megapixels is too much for the small image sensor of a compact camera like these two. They think that at that high of a resolution, if you shoot with a high ISO setting, you'll get too much noise (grain). They think that 10 megapixels is more conservative for the image sensor size and there will be less noise at all ISO levels. This bit may be of interest to you if you like to shoot in dark settings like a party or concert. The angling of the LCD might be better for you when you want to shoot in a crowd and have to hold the camera over your head. Not many people do that, though. It depends on how much you photograph in the dark compared to daylight.
Alright, that's my argument that arises from my irritation that the G11 wasn't an improvement over the G10.
-Russell
Canon G10 Instead of G11
Since you're considering the Canon G11 and a few people here have recommended it, let me suggest that you consider the G10. You can still buy them at some stores and on-line, although they've been replaced by the G11. I think the G10 is better and if you're lucky, you can buy a slightly used one from someone who has to have the latest of everything. By the way, I own a G10 and find it to be an excellent camera to take anywhere. I also have a Canon 5D Mark II as well as a few film cameras. I like to take the G10 with me when I'm carrying my film cameras and not my 5D MII.
Back to my argument about G10 over G11: The G10 will take pictures at 14.7 megapixels, while the G11 is only at 10 megs. The image size of the G10 is 4416 x 3312 pixels; the G11 is less at 3648 x 2736. The G10 has a 3-inch LCD; the G11 has only 2.8 inches, but it will swing out. That's why it's smaller: they needed room for the hinge and all. To me, that's irritating: you have to flip out the LCD to see it, making you more conspiculous. I may be wrong on that, though. It might twist around and lay flat and face out. The G11 does have a faster flash sync (1/2000 of a second), but the G10 is fast enough (1/500). The G11 also has a HDMI connector: that probably took up some space and manufacturing expense. The G10 shoots at 1.3 shots per second; the G11 does 1.1 shots per second. Both are a bit slow on that. The G11 has greater digital zoom (5x) than the G10 (4x), but digital zoom is pointless and a bad idea: you'd do better enlarging on your computer. The optical zoom is the same for both.
Some have argued that 15 megapixels is too much for the small image sensor of a compact camera like these two. They think that at that high of a resolution, if you shoot with a high ISO setting, you'll get too much noise (grain). They think that 10 megapixels is more conservative for the image sensor size and there will be less noise at all ISO levels. This bit may be of interest to you if you like to shoot in dark settings like a party or concert. The angling of the LCD might be better for you when you want to shoot in a crowd and have to hold the camera over your head. Not many people do that, though. It depends on how much you photograph in the dark compared to daylight.
Alright, that's my argument that arises from my irritation that the G11 wasn't an improvement over the G10.
-Russell
pagpow
Well-known
I own a couple of G series canons, neither G10, nor 11, and I recently bought an S90.
Here's some things I found for me. YMMV --
1) I carry the S90 everywhere 24/7. Did not do that w. the G series.
2) Unlike some others, I have found the articulating screen on the G series that have them a wonderful way to a) easily get perspectives otherwise hard or impossible and b) get more candid shots. Only the size and pocketability of the s90 overcame the lack of the articulating screen for me.
3) Still learning the S90, but various of its modes seem tailor-made for avoiding menus, using both front and rear wheels. I use C mode to quickly underexpose enough to avoid blown highlights.
4) Rear wheel looseness less of a problem after installing R. Franiec grip -- and it does not increase the cubic dimensions of the camera.
5) Still has not eliminated GAS for LX3 given aspect ratios not available on S90.
6) s90 is a bit small, slippery for my hands -- much improved w. grip and practice.
Here's some things I found for me. YMMV --
1) I carry the S90 everywhere 24/7. Did not do that w. the G series.
2) Unlike some others, I have found the articulating screen on the G series that have them a wonderful way to a) easily get perspectives otherwise hard or impossible and b) get more candid shots. Only the size and pocketability of the s90 overcame the lack of the articulating screen for me.
3) Still learning the S90, but various of its modes seem tailor-made for avoiding menus, using both front and rear wheels. I use C mode to quickly underexpose enough to avoid blown highlights.
4) Rear wheel looseness less of a problem after installing R. Franiec grip -- and it does not increase the cubic dimensions of the camera.
5) Still has not eliminated GAS for LX3 given aspect ratios not available on S90.
6) s90 is a bit small, slippery for my hands -- much improved w. grip and practice.
russelljtdyer
Writer
sOid,
A simple and cheaper solution just occurred to me. You said that you like your Canon 5D MII, but it's too much of a hassle to take with you. Maybe you just need a good camera bag, something small and easy to use like the Domke camera satchel (701-83B F-803). It's what I use when I don't want to take much. I can hold my 5D MII with two lenses and have room for other things (e.g., spare battery, extra memory cards, magazine, etc.). I just have to plan ahead as to which lenses to take. It would be a lot cheaper than a compact camera and you'd get better pictures by taking your DSLR than from a compact camera.
A simple and cheaper solution just occurred to me. You said that you like your Canon 5D MII, but it's too much of a hassle to take with you. Maybe you just need a good camera bag, something small and easy to use like the Domke camera satchel (701-83B F-803). It's what I use when I don't want to take much. I can hold my 5D MII with two lenses and have room for other things (e.g., spare battery, extra memory cards, magazine, etc.). I just have to plan ahead as to which lenses to take. It would be a lot cheaper than a compact camera and you'd get better pictures by taking your DSLR than from a compact camera.
sOid
Member
Good suggestion, but not what I'm looking for. Looking for a camera to just throw in my bag (which is a Domke F-802 for daily use by the way, I use it as my schoolbag most of the times) and not worry about the size or weight.
It's just too cumbersome to take my school stuff + 5D2 with me each and every day
Why not the Panasonic GF1?
sOid
Member
Way too expensive. I'm willing to spend around 450 euros. The GF1 is almost twice the price...