Any person that has or had the chance to shoot with a digital SLR for more than one day definitely won't like what a compact camera outputs anymore. Canon is reaching for the skies this time and tries to make us change our minds. It recently released the successor of the G10, naturally named G11.

Compared to the previous camera in the G series, the G11 has given up 2 megapixels (yey, thank you Canon for listening to the photographers that say stop cramming billions of pixels into compact sensors) but that can only lead to better image quality - less is more - and with the dual noise reduction, this camera is sure to be loved.

By dual noise reduction, you should understand the usage of the latest Digic 4 image processing technology and a high sensitivity sensor, stated to greatly improve noise, up to two stops, compared to the G10. Digic 4 is also responsible for the i-Contrast technology that will make sure you don't blow up any highlights even in difficult lighting conditions.

The lens' focal range starts at a wide angle 28mm reaching a 140mm end (FF35 equivalent) and provided with optical Image Stabiliser (IS), you can shoot at much slower shutter speeds (about four-stop stated) either in dimmer light or at a lower ISO. Speaking of dim light, the Canon G11 also features a Low Light mode that pushes the ISO up to 12,800, reducing the output resolution to 2.5MP at 2.5fps, while in bright conditions, the camera gets help from an integrated ND filter that can decrease light levels up to three stops.

The LCD screen was also reduced in size, now fitting a vari-angle chassis and featuring 461,000 dots, but I'm sure that's not bothering, and even if it is, there's always the HDMI output you can use. I really like how this camera shows up, with analogue style ISO dials and exposure compensation and the flash syncro speed that got to 1/2000th of a second. I can tell the G11 is ergonomically designed for faster, accurate menu scrolling even just looking at it.

To make a final point in what Canon targets with the G11, it also released a wet-case for it that provides full control of the camera in depths down to 40 meters. The Canon G11 has a recommended price of $499.


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