Is the G11 and S90 AF/write times really that slow?

[photomiler]

I've been looking at the G11 as a upgrade from my old TZ5. I almost bought one until in I noticed how sluggish it seemed in the store. The AF lock and file write time seemed noticeably slower than I'm use to after years of using a TZ and Fuji F40. So I read up on the G11 here.

The DPR review says using AiAF or FlexiZone WA half press lag = 0.5-0.7s and telephoto = 1.0-1.3s. The S90 was similar. 1 second is pretty darn slow even by modern P&S standards. They timed shot to shot just shy of 3s. Is there a faster AF mode than the default? Is the G11 really slower than the G10?

By comparison the G10 was much faster at 0.2-0.4s and 0.7-0.9s respectively. They timed the TZ5 at only 0.2s and 0.3-0.6s and it fires off the next shot in half the time. Even my old F40 is easily under 1/2 second WA or zoomed out (say "one" and its locked).

I'm not bashing the G11, I want to buy one, but I mainly shoot family/kids/friends/the dogs. I've never had a problem with the TZ or F40 keeping up. Anything slower could be frustrating. Thanks.

 

[dave_bass5]

Cant offer anything other than they are up to the job, as you can tell by the amount of people using these cameras.

Personally i wouldn't worry about it. If the rest of the feature line up suits you then you can live with the speed.

Many DSLR owners are also using these Canons as back ups, there is an even greater speed drop but you learn to cope.

Just my thoughts though.
--
Dave.

Gallery @
http://davepearce.smugmug.com
S90 Shots @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/davebass5/sets/72157622647970370/
FZ38 Shots @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/davebass5/sets/72157623847343904/

Videos @ http://www.vimeo.com/user464364/videos

 

[joseph costa]

it is possible to get action shots with the g10 or g11.....in good light of course...but definitely requires some patience.

i have seen some jet plane images taken with the g10 and with a little PP, you'd have time telling whether it came from a P&S or a low end DSLR....that said however, yes the g11 and g10 cameras are not built for speed and if you do shots of your pets and kids, especially indoors, you may be slightly dissatisfied.

I've been looking at the G11 as a upgrade from my old TZ5. I almost bought one until in I noticed how sluggish it seemed in the store. The AF lock and file write time seemed noticeably slower than I'm use to after years of using a TZ and Fuji F40. So I read up on the G11 here.

The DPR review says using AiAF or FlexiZone WA half press lag = 0.5-0.7s and telephoto = 1.0-1.3s. The S90 was similar. 1 second is pretty darn slow even by modern P&S standards. They timed shot to shot just shy of 3s. Is there a faster AF mode than the default? Is the G11 really slower than the G10?

By comparison the G10 was much faster at 0.2-0.4s and 0.7-0.9s respectively. They timed the TZ5 at only 0.2s and 0.3-0.6s and it fires off the next shot in half the time. Even my old F40 is easily under 1/2 second WA or zoomed out (say "one" and its locked).

I'm not bashing the G11, I want to buy one, but I mainly shoot family/kids/friends/the dogs. I've never had a problem with the TZ or F40 keeping up. Anything slower could be frustrating. Thanks.

 

[photomiler]

Thanks for the reply, but just because it is a popular camera doesn't make me less concerned about its speed. Same holds true for the PEN series. A lot of people shoot static subjects in which case AF speed may be a non-issue. However kids don't hold still. For me AF speed is pretty high on the priorities. "Will I carry it" is my #1 priority which is why I'm not looking at SLRs (best camera is the one you'll use).

For several years I've been shooting with a Pansonic TZ in good light and a Fuji F-series in poor. I'd love one camera for both, but AF needs to keep up!

Cant offer anything other than they are up to the job, as you can tell by the amount of people using these cameras. Personally i wouldn't worry about it. If the rest of the feature line up suits you then you can live with the speed.

 

[dave_bass5]

Thanks for the reply, but just because it is a popular camera doesn't make me less concerned about its speed.

What i meant was have a look at all the family/kids shots that S90 owners are taking (myself included).

Its probably not the fastest but it will do the job. It will also win in other areas, you just need to weigh up the pros and cons IME.

Same holds true for the PEN series. A lot of people shoot static subjects in which case AF speed may be a non-issue. However kids don't hold still. For me AF speed is pretty high on the priorities. "Will I carry it" is my #1 priority which is why I'm not looking at SLRs (best camera is the one you'll use).

I dont know what the PEN series is, sorry.

You do have a point though about AF speed keeping up but ive not had any problems with my S90. When i had both my TZ7 and S90 for a few weeks i found the S90 to be faster, although i find write speed is pretty slow. But then again i shoot Raw so that does slow writing down a bit.

Dont forget, a faster lens will let in more light and so help AF get a quicker lock. This might be an advantage in low light where a slower (lens wise) camera might struggle. Also the noise in a ISO800 image ive very manageable. Again, this will help with better shutter speeds.

For me the best camera is the one i decided to take out, based on what i was going to do/see. So for family days out its normally the DSLR. I dont mind carrying it around and as it has a very fast AF, and sharp lens it seems silly (for me) to take a lesser camera out
I know thats just me though.

--
Dave.

Gallery @
http://davepearce.smugmug.com
S90 Shots @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/davebass5/sets/72157622647970370/
FZ38 Shots @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/davebass5/sets/72157623847343904/

Videos @ http://www.vimeo.com/user464364/videos

 

[RayHff]

I use both a TZ5 and G11.

The TZ5 is great when you want that long zoom.

The G11 shines with great image quality.

For house parites or chasing kids, I use a 270EX with the G11.

Between these, I'm very content and can cover almost any situation (with very little to carry).

Kudos to my wife who said "just keep them both", when I was pining over upgrading to the G11. She had the best idea.

 

[el_brio]

Take a look at the upcoming (should be out in a few weeks) Samsung TL500/EX1. Same sensor as the S90/G11. 24mm F1.8 lens. 3" OLED display. If write speeds are faster (I read that burst mode is around 3fps as compared to 1fps for the G11, don't know about individual shot-to-shot times) and IQ is on par, I would definitely consider it as an option. Only 3x zoom though.

 

[photomiler]

I use both a TZ5 and G11.
The TZ5 is great when you want that long zoom.
The G11 shines with great image quality.

Good to hear. Do you find the G11 is slower to lock focus as the review would suggest? Care to compare?

I found my TZ5 it was quite a bit faster using high speed AF. Not sure if Canon has a similar mode to speed it up.

 

[RayHff]

I've never found it to be an issue in my photography.

You can check tested timing here:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong11/page5.asp

 

[Brunaita]

Of course you can get nice action shots with the G11



Compared to other compacts I do not find the G11 specially slow

I have both the Fujis F30 and F60, fast responding cameras and now, with the G11 I am getting a lot of more keepers when I am photographing sports or similar things.You won't be disappointed with the Canon. Furthermore, the AF in the G11 is more secure, I get more out of focus cases of moving subjects with the Fujis

AiAF is not the best choice for actions shots. Normally I use center point AF or even better the Servo AF (you get continuous focus + exposition) and the results are quite OK for a compact camera. Fast Shot mode is great, but you have to be confident with the minimal optical viewfinder, perhaps for kids a good option, you can crop the photo later.

Shot to shot times are also not worse than these Fuji's. The only real disadvantage is the burst mode, only 1,3 fps in the best case.

Of course the G11 is inferior to DSLR in these issues and if your main subject are sports, Kids and thing like this, an entry level DSLR would be a better choice. Anyway, in the world of the compacts, the G11 is quite good!

CHeers and sorry for my English!

Rubén