A Viewfinder Darkly
Phil Northeast is Feature Writer for Photography at 
Stock photography by Phil Northeast is available from Ozimages International
Canon PowerShot G11 Digital Camera
The PowerShot G-series is the flagship of the PowerShot line and the new Canon PowerShot G11 Digital Camera is an answer the challenge offered by Panasonic and Olympus
The Powershot G10 quickly became the favourite compact of professional photographers and photo agencies the world over and was “designed for those looking for a pocket-sized camera with SLR functionality,” says Canon.
The Panasonic Lumix GH1 and Olympus EP-1 are new challengers in this professional compact digital camera market and they offer a DSLR sensor. The Canon G series sensor is much smaller at 1/1.7” size and is only a third the size of an APS-C sensor common in DSLRs.
Fewer Megapixels in new Model
Smaller sensors mean smaller pixels and this limits the noise and dynamic range performance of the camera. To improve these areas and compete with the challengers, Canon did the unthinkable and reduced the number of megapixels in their new sensor.
Canon says 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 f stops.
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.
Photojournalists Tool
Designed for those looking for a pocket-sized camera with SLR functionality, this new powerful camera is ideal for the consumer who is looking to capture beautiful landscapes and professional portraits.
“I’ve been a user of the G series since the G5” says Edmond Terakopian, photojournalist and winner of the British Press Awards Photographer of the Year and a World Press Photo award for Spot News. “Recently I’ve been using the G10 which is absolutely spot on; image quality, usability, reliability and build quality are all excellent. It’s the one camera that’s always with me, no matter where I am; whether on or off duty. I know I can rely on it to help me get the picture, no matter what. Over the years I’ve used my G Series cameras on the occasions when assignments have needed discretion. It’s a satisfying feeling telling a picture editor that the photograph he’s just complemented was from a compact camera.”
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.”
Some of the features of the new Canon Powershot G11 are:
- A 10.0-Megapixel High Sensitivity System to capture images with a powerful 5x Optical Zoom lens with Optical Image Stabilization. Additionally, a 28mm (equivalent to 28-140 mm) wide-angle lens helps to get large groups into one shot at events such as a family reunion.
- A 2.8-inch vari-angle PureColor System LCD, new to the G-series, allowing for easier on-camera previewing and reviewing of images from nearly every angle, while still incorporating the optical viewfinder found on previous models.
- Easy access to heavily used functions with two mode dials for adjusting ISO and exposure compensation, and a full range of shooting and recording modes, including RAW + JPEG for ultimate creative control when editing images.
- A host of optional accessories, including Speedlite flashes, an underwater housing and a tele-converter lens to provide further photographic flexibility.
Scheduled to be available in October, the PowerShot G11 Digital Camera retails for an estimated price of $US499.99.