Compared to... Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3

Below you will find a studio comparison between the Canon PowerShot G11 and one of the enthusiasts' compacts we've been most impressed by - the Panasonic DMC-LX3.

Studio scene comparison ( @ ISO 80)

• Canon PowerShot G11: Manual mode, ISO 80, Default Image Parameters,
  Manual white balance
  
  
• Panasonic DMC-LX3: Aperture Priority mode, ISO 80, Default Image Parameters,
  Manual white balance, +0.33 EV compensation 
   
• Lighting: Daylight simulation, >98% CRI

Canon PowerShot G11	Panasonic DMC-LX3
ISO 80, 1/60 sec, F4	ISO 80, 1/100 sec, F3.5
2.5 MB JPEG (3648 x 2736)	4.3 MB JPEG (3648 x 2736)

With both cameras feature 10 megapixel CCD sensors and come from manufacturers with pretty well-sorted JPEG output, it's not surprising that the differences between them are slight. There's a slight advantage to the G11 in terms of fine detail but you really have to be looking this close to notice it - generally, both cameras are doing very well.