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G11 or G12?

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BrianPriceUK

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Hi

I need some advice. I have a 50D outfit, but I'm thinking of getting a pocketable camera to carry around - I'm doing a lot more walking to get fit.
Would I see any benefit in buying a G12 over a G11?
I don't use video, and I shoot mainly woodland landscapes, see

http://www.secalis.co.uk/PGallery1/indexG.php

Also, would CA be a problem with my type of shot? I try to stay away from using wide angle, most of my pics are shot with a Sigma 30mm f1.4 'standard' lens, and I shoot raw and use Lightroom.

All comments much appreciated.

Brian
 
I'd say go for the G11 if the price is lower. As you don't use video, you won't notice the difference, and the other "new" features aren't great improvements over the G11. You could benefit from the new HDR function, but only if you like HDR images. I don't mind doing them manually, so that feature is not a deal breaker either.

I bought a G11 in July and I'm more than happy with it. It's great for landscapes too, so you won't be disappointed by its quality. The sensor and processor is the same in the G11 and G12, so the IQ is the same, so unless you can get a very good deal on the G12, buy the G11.
 
Agree. There appears to be very little difference between the two cameras. Both seem virtually the same camera. And, neither one is really "pocketable". The last G series that even approached being a pocketable camera was the G9. And, even that one was too large to get in anything but a large coat pocket. But, at least, the G9 was thinner than the next three in the series.
--
truview
 
Thanks, it looks like I'll get a G11. I think I'll wait a few weeks to see if the price drops when the G12 is readily available.

By 'pocketable' I meant in comparison to a 50D and 4 lenses in a backpack weighing 1.7 tons :-)

Brian
 
One thing to consider, even though the sensor is supposedly the same, the elctronics are new ...here is a clip from the announcement:

"The HS System: Premium Canon image quality, even in low light The PowerShot G12 is the first G-series model to feature Canon’s HS System – a powerful combination of a high-sensitivity 10.0 Megapixel CCD sensor and high-performance DIGIC 4 processor designed to provide outstanding image quality in all lighting conditions, including low light.

I plan on getting the G12 but mainly because I would use this to a considerable extent as and event camera, indoors etc., where the low light performance would make a difference.

-
http://www.mikespentaxianblog.blogspot.com/
 
.

If you recycle your cameras, the rubicon wil be the G12.

Although YOU don't use video, many people do and the G12
will have higher resale value.

Just something to factor into your purchase decision.

dxr

.
 
BrianPriceUK said:
Hi

I need some advice. I have a 50D outfit, but I'm thinking of getting a pocketable camera to carry around - I'm doing a lot more walking to get fit.
Would I see any benefit in buying a G12 over a G11?
I don't use video, and I shoot mainly woodland landscapes, see

http://www.secalis.co.uk/PGallery1/indexG.php

Also, would CA be a problem with my type of shot? I try to stay away from using wide angle, most of my pics are shot with a Sigma 30mm f1.4 'standard' lens, and I shoot raw and use Lightroom.

All comments much appreciated.

Brian
Click to expand...
Do be aware that the g11 is hardly "pocketable". Now I'm not trying to nitpick - if you carry it in a backpack, in a belt case, etc, I'm sure it will be fine and it's sure going to be a lot smaller than your dslr. Or on a strap around your neck - it's sure going to be a lot lighter. Just saying you're not actually going to be able to comfortably slip it in a pants pocket and walk for 10 miles with it. Only an s95 is going to be like that - I assume you've heard of it and that it uses the same sensor, so I won't go on about it.

If you're going to carry it in a belt case the g11 would probably be more appropriate, but if you're going to carry it in a backpack or something, have you considered just bringing one of the cheaper, lighter dslr's? Like a XS or t2i would both be much lighter.

730g - 50D (per Canon - body only)
450g - Canon XS (body only - pretty much weights 50% as much?)
351g - G12 (camera body only)

Obviously the lens will weigh more. From a quick search, the 18-55mm kit lens weighs 200g, the 50mm f1.8 (prime) lens weighs 130g.

I dunno, I'm just pointing it out - if you're shooting a lot of woods with the sky in it, dynamic range will probably remain an issue, and from what I've read that's one area that a dslr is certainly still superior in. Carrying the lighter-weight dslr with a single lightweight lens probably wouldn't be that much more difficult than carrying a g11/g12 - if you're already carrying it in a backpack or something anyways, and certainly much less work than carrying a 50D and several high quality (aka - expensive) lenses.

P.S. On a slightly related topic, the bag you carry your stuff in can make a big difference, to. I've gone hiking in Arizona with my dad, and while it's definitely not a camera-specific bag, we both own variations of this bag which work well -

http://www.eriksbikeshop.com/ride/product.asp?pf_id=PR3C3083&path=Shop&path=detours+bag&search_handle=QT1kZXRvdXJzIGJhZ35CPWRldG91cnMgYmFnfkQ9MjR_ST1QcmljZX5LPTR_TD0xfk09MX4&scid=SearchResults&spoffset=2&s_id=0

(Detours Sienna 40 Backpack)

It's actually a biking backpack, but the back is a mesh piece, behind it is plastic molding that bends the real back of the bag away from your back so your back doesn't get sweaty. It's not the most efficient in terms of space - the molding eats into the space inside the bag - but it's definitely the best bag I've ever used in terms of comfort (again, to be fair, I don't put a ton of weight in it). I hate that sweaty back thing, lol...
 
P.S. Between the s90 and the s95 (which use the same sensor), I think the camera changed the sharpening algorithm it used. The s90 did some sort of very basic sharpening, the s95 uses "unsharp mask" in dpp - I mostly shoot RAW and convert in dpp so I cannot say for sure what the in-camera results are, and obviously you could manually switch the sharpening algorithm used if you're shooting rAW (though it would be annoying to do so), just thought I would mention it.

Oh, you said you use Lightroom. So...probably no difference for you then.
 
+1 .. Plus, this wheel in the front will be too much / every time - for my finger, which is now resting on a G11 with no protruding / rotating parts there.
javimarcelo said:
I'd say go for the G11 if the price is lower. As you don't use video, you won't notice the difference, and the other "new" features aren't great improvements over the G11. You could benefit from the new HDR function, but only if you like HDR images. I don't mind doing them manually, so that feature is not a deal breaker either.

I bought a G11 in July and I'm more than happy with it. It's great for landscapes too, so you won't be disappointed by its quality. The sensor and processor is the same in the G11 and G12, so the IQ is the same, so unless you can get a very good deal on the G12, buy the G11.
Click to expand...
 
I have the G11 and love it, but if I were buying today I would definitely go for the G12 as it has all the features I love in the G11 and, on paper, improves upon them.

The new HD video and stereo recording alone I too am not that bothered about, but the extra control the other improvements offer are very tempting and I may even decide to upgrade to the G12 myself.

• The ISO dial now allows adjustments in 1/3-stop increments
• Auto ISO can now be set to a maximum.
• A new Electronic Level function (perfect for landscapes)
• Multi-Aspect shooting in 3:2, 4:3, 1:1, 16:9 and 4:5
• High Dynamic Range (HDR) shooting mode.
• A new Tracking AF mode
• Hybrid IS for better macro shots.
• A new Front Dial for even more manual control
• The cool new lens filter adapter which moves with the lens.

And in Mathers the price of the G12 at £449 is only £30 more than the G11.
--
Stephen
 
i would get the g12 for the extra things it does @ a slight increase in $$ if i were you. i'm not going to upgrade as $500.00 is too much for me to do that. i think if you go with the g12 you'll like that swivel lcd & that new level for your landscapes. either way - you can't go wrong. i just took my g11 for a walk today in boulder city nv. i had a great day! good luck to you & happy snappin'
 
I just finished looking at the still life shots at iso 800 and 1600 shots for the G11, S90 and S95. The S95 is the best of the bunch. The G12 shots are not available yet but I expect a slight but noticeable improvement in sharpness and noise level. I say slight because I zoomed to 200%.
 
Many thanks for all the comments, I found them very useful.

A few points - I can't shoot without a viewfinder (sad but true) which rules out the S series, and by pocketable I meant jacket pocket rather than trouser - the G11/12 is exactly the right weight and size for my hands.

I have to sell a few bits of my backup gear to pay for it, so I think if I get enough money I'll get a G12, if not I'll be happy with a G11. I'll also wait to see a few full reviews of the G12 (including comparison shots), and to see what the street price will be.

Thanks again for your help, food for much thought.

Brian
 
When comparing street prices, two reputable bricks & mortar stores in the UK don't show up on price comparisons but often have the lowest prices, particularly for new releases.
Campkins Online and Mathers of Lancashire are both worth checking out.
--
Stephen
 
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