Canon unveils G11, S90 semi-pro compacts
updated 09:35 am EDT, Wed August 19, 2009
Canon G11 and S90
Canon this morning brought out its higher end compact cameras for the fall and topped these with two semi-professional PowerShots. The G11 is the latest yearly update to its camera for experienced shooters but makes the unusual move of lowering the resolution from 14.7 to 10 megapixels; while not as large, the new sensor is said to be much better in low light and thus reduces both the amount of noise and blur. Also new is the G series' first swivel LCD in recent memory, which lets users compose shots at unusual angles.
The camera continues to sport a 28-140mm equivalent, 5X lens with optical image stabilization, apertures between f2.8 and f4.5 and light sensitivity settings between ISO 80 and 3,200. It supports RAW for still shots, but video capture is limited to 640x480. It arrives in October for $499.
The S90 has the same low-light sensor but is even more sensitive, shrinking its zoom to 3.8X (28-105mm) but achieving a maximum aperture of f2.0. Its LCD is fixed in place but contributes to an overall more compact design. To properly distance the flash, Canon uses a pop-up unit instead of the larger G11's fixed example. S90s start shipping at the same time as the G11 but will cost $430.
First swivel LCD??? Huh?
08/19, 09:51am reply
The G1 thur G6 had a swivel LCD. About time Canon put this valuable feature BACK. Might consider it as a replacement now for my trusty G3.
Darylal
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Joined: Apr 2008
First swivel LCD??? Huh?
08/19, 09:52am reply
The G1 thur G6 had a swivel LCD. About time Canon put this valuable feature BACK. Might consider it as a replacement now for my trusty G3.
Darylal
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Joined: Apr 2008
swivel
08/19, 10:25am reply
Yup...anyone who knows anything about Canon cameras will be aware of the facts Darylal highlights above. Which just proves that MacNN-Electronista have columnists that know absolutely nothing about the subjects they write(?) about.P.S. - What is truly excellent about the Canon G Series is the ease with which they can be converted to Infrared... like my G5!
Feathers
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 1999
Lower megapixels
08/19, 10:41am (1 reply) reply
Liked it until I read about the megapixel drop - I'll either stick with my trusty G9 or buy a G10 when they sell them off, thanks.
Chris Hutcheson
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Joined: Oct 2000
MP drop no consern
08/19, 01:43pm reply
Usable quality pixels trump quantity anytime. But of course we will have to see the tests. I'd gladly take a marginal drop in MP to have a an image with less noise.
Oh thanks for reminding me Feather about the Infrared thing. That's what I need to do.
Darylal
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Joined: Apr 2008
G10
08/19, 02:17pm reply
The biggest change is in low light sensitivity. I have a G10 and am satisfied with it's performance. I do little indoor photography so low light images are not a priority.
A swivel LCD would be nice, but not essential for what I do.
alfredo
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 1999
Marginal Drop
08/19, 02:25pm reply
I don't know if I would consider nearly a 30% drop in pixels marginal, particularly if I want to print large. I agree, though, that we need to see images. I've shot dark - some concerts, mostly, and have been generally happy with the results, bouncing back and forth between the G9 and a Nikon D300
Chris Hutcheson
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Joined: Oct 2000
No GPS
08/19, 04:56pm reply
Owns a G10 will wait until a GPS unit comes out.
Quannguyen29
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Joined: Aug 2009
What about audio
08/19, 04:58pm reply
I'm very happy to give up pixels for less noise in the image. The swivel screen is great. But c'mon, SD video? And still no line-in audio jack!!! This kind of decision making really pi--es me off. If you already own a previous model then you don't have any reason to buy the new model. Hey Canon, pull your heads out and add the audio line-in and HD video.
DaveTheRave
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Joined: Aug 2009