Ever "rediscover" a gem that still defies the odds?

The other day I reached into my various bags of goodies and pulled out my ole' G12 - a 10 MP model.

There are many reasons I elected to keep this camera - too many to mention here - but suffice it say it has been around 3 years since I last handled it.  To begin with, I was shocked that the battery I left in it was still fully charged in all of that time - damnnnn, that's a long time!

So I took it out for a spin - nothing special - just a jaunt in the woods near my home and some photos around the house and as with everything else, I shoot in RAW only.

When I ran those raw files through Lightroom and ACR (latest versions), I was stunned to view the clarity, gorgeous color tonality, and relevance (to what is available now-a-days).  Many of the images had that "you are there" palpable reality to them.  The newest raw software converters can really do wonders (thus the term "rediscover" comes into play) for older raw files.

As you may or may not know, the G11/G12 (basically the same camera for all practical purposes) is a solid magnesium, well constructed 10 MP camera with many options.  It was beautifully designed and handles quite well.  What really surprised me - even today - is the dynamic range that it is capable of capturing (within reason of course) when shooting RAW.  And that traditional warm, yet dynamic Canon color tonality is to die for.  And when looking on line for various used G12 cameras (in great shape), they still manage to fetch a good amount of cash.  So why is that?

Quite simply, it is a superb photographic instrument - one that continues to keep on ticking.  More remarkably so, after converting those RAW files, is the fact that the final IQ results are more indicative of what comes from a 12-16 MP camera!  Yes, we tend to keep up with the latest and greatest - the latest bring the 1" sensor craze, but folks, don't overlook some of these older models as they can be stunning with what they can capture.

I am so glad I kept this model.  I've had the luxury over the years of having owned the G1 through G12.  I elected not to pursue anymore G line cameras after that.  To me the G12 was enough.

If you have some comments you'd like to share about your experiences with either the G11 or G12 - along with image samples - please do so here.

Here are some of the G12 raw files that I recently ran through the newest LR and ACR converters (again, post yours also) - reminder to click on the "original size" link below each photo to bring up a 2000 x 1532 x 24:

A niece meeting one of our cats for the first time.

Dusk dockside in Beaufort, North Carolina

One of the hundred or so wild old Spanish horses that reside on Shackelford Island, North Carolina.

Yeah, yeah, yeah - I know - sick, huh?  That's me several years ago being totally stupid to impress my niece - sigh.  If you want to barf, feel free to do so.

The Inlet Hotel in Beaufort, NC at sunset.

The main building at Richard Childress vineyards in Lexington, NC.  BTW, Richard Childress, famous race car team owner has this awesome California-like winery in Lexington with a superb blend of various European varietals.

How'd you love to live in this 9000 square foot home?  I was invited to photograph a fund raiser and it happened to be at this home - wow....  Complete with a movie theater, 8 bedrooms, 9 baths, pool, and everything else you can think of.  Must be nice to have the bucks...

Group photo at a get together at the home above.  Used the Canon 320 flash for this one in bounce mode.

Wine tasting area (one of them) at the Shelton Vineyards in Dobson, NC

Had a brief visit with my old Nikon Coolpix 995, which I had purchased new in 2001 and had given away more than 10 years ago.

That old dog is still functioning and making pictures....

Agree. The G12 was my 70D backup and also used for light travel. I just got the G7X Mk II for that purpose but that G12 is one fine camera.

I found my G11 a few weeks ago that had been in a drawer for several years - and yes, the battery was still fully charged. Decent little camera.

I still have an Olympus XZ1 that I use from time to time.

Yes - I wholeheartedly agree! The Olympus XZ-1 is another "must have keeper" of a camera and it ranks up there with the G12, and has an even sharper lens. This is another one of those 10 MP enthusiast models featuring a 1/1.7" sensor that the brand went all out with. More importantly, however, is the sharpness of the lens. Again, images coming from the XZ-1 appear as if they came from a higher MP camera and has a wonderful color tonality. This is starting to sound like a broken record, but I'm glad I kept my copy of that camera also.

I had the XZ2 for a short time and was disappointed because they changed the color on it so it wasn't as vibrant, so I switched over to the very excellent G15. Another classic from that era. Even though the Sony RX100 had just come out, it had poor IS and AF and the G15 while having a smaller sensor, was a much more enjoyable camera to use.

Ben,

Nice shots. I have owned a number of the G series cameras, and still have the S90, which is the S version of the G11.  Somehow, I preferred the G11 over the G12.  Back when the G11 & G12 were current, they were good enough for magazine cover shots, and there were several posts about that.

The 1/1.7" sensor was way under-rated, and the 12 MP version does amazingly well in my Olympus Stylus 1.  The XZ-1 & 2, and the Panasonic LX5 & LX7 also did really well with the 1/1.7" sensor.

I was also quite happy with results from the SD950IS, the 12 MP predecessor of the SD990IS that someone posted about.  They both came from that three generation period where there were G series Canons (G7, G9, and G10); but no S series crossovers until the S90. Instead, Canon produced the SD700, SD950IS, and SD990IS with 1/1.7" sensors and the same processors as the G's.

GeraldW wrote:

Ben,

Nice shots. I have owned a number of the G series cameras, and still have the S90, which is the S version of the G11. Somehow, I preferred the G11 over the G12. Back when the G11 & G12 were current, they were good enough for magazine cover shots, and there were several posts about that.

The 1/1.7" sensor was way under-rated, and the 12 MP version does amazingly well in my Olympus Stylus 1. The XZ-1 & 2, and the Panasonic LX5 & LX7 also did really well with the 1/1.7" sensor.

I was also quite happy with results from the SD950IS, the 12 MP predecessor of the SD990IS that someone posted about. They both came from that three generation period where there were G series Canons (G7, G9, and G10); but no S series crossovers until the S90. Instead, Canon produced the SD700, SD950IS, and SD990IS with 1/1.7" sensors and the same processors as the G's.

The S90 remains a very nice little camera. I had owned the S70 and been quite happy with it, but then Canon discontinued the S series after the S80 (which was not a camera I was very impressed with). Then the S90 - wow. Fantastic performance in such a small package, a classic was born. It's successor today is the G9X II in terms of size and being a full-control camera in a tiny body.
I will have to liberate my S90 from my daughter.

Ben Herrmann wrote:

If you have some comments you'd like to share about your experiences with either the G11 or G12 - along with image samples - please do so here.

Hi Ben,
I owned the G11 and sold it on Ebay when the G1X because I found the larger sensor on the G1X to be a more viable option.  Though I didn't find it ideal for extremely low-light shots, the Canon PowerShot G11 produced some exceptional images for me.  The images were always vibrant, sharp and appealing.  All were taken in JPEG.
.

G11

G11

G11 - CPL filter used

G11- Flash Used

G11

G11

G11

G11

G11

G11
--
Regards,
Marco Nero.

Your progression through the S series is similar to mine, and I had the same feelings about the S70 (good camera) and the S80 (not happy with it).  But I was pleased with the SD950IS and took that on several trips, where it performed well for me.  The S90 was better still, and I still have mine and still use it.  It's fitted with the Franiec grip, and that improves the camera quite a lot.

Quite a lot of difference starting with a lot more weight and size, much smaller LCD screen, no IS, 7 MP VS 10,  Focal length range is close; but the S90 has a faster lens at 28 mm (f/2 vs f/2.8).

I liked the S70 and it gave me a lot of nice shots.  Recently, I got nostalgic about the S70 and bought another one.  Unfortunately, the camera's actual performance didn't measure up to my memories, and I sold it.

The S90, on the other hand, still competes fairly well against my G7X II, particularly in good light.  I have the S90 fitted with the Franiec grip and the Lensmate Solution Ring around the four way cluster.  They improve the handling significantly.  The ring is still available; but for a front grip, the Flip-bac is pretty good.

If you can't find a good S90, the S95 is very close.

Hike Pics wrote:

What are your thoughts in comparing the S70 to the S90? Is there much IQ difference and/or feature difference. I had been thinking about getting an S70 (decent used prices) but if there is a bit of a difference I'll look around for an S90.

They feel like they're from totally different generations.
I still remember how excited I was by the S70  - it was the first digital compact that did what I wanted a compact to do, that is be pretty small, give me control, and produce reasonable quality. Those 7.2 megapixels produced some nice images, especially in good light. It was pretty usable at ISO 400, which for a compact was fairly unusual at the time, and coming from a slide film background, that was fine with me.  I was never over keen on the sliding design, and if it didn't lock in place (which it often didn't because I got the strap in the way), it didn't turn on. Battery was a fairly bulky, old-fashioned thing (they all were, then) and it used Compact Flash cards, which was a benefit at the time, because so did my DSLR. The body was fairly thick, which made it less pocketable than I would have liked. But it was miles better than anything else on the market for my needs. It replaced an Ixus 500, which had a better size, but worse everything else.
It has an optical viewfinder, but it's pretty poor, and the screen is fairly tiny.
Overall, the S70 feels like an early digital camera, albeit a very good and refined version.
The S90 still feels like a current model, though. In good light, IQ is only slightly better, at normal priint sizes or on screen, anyway, but by ISO 400 it has pulled away, and does ok at 1600. Images also enlarge far better.
The controls are much nicer, in fact everything about it is better really, except arguably not having an optical viewfinder - but the S70's isn't a huge loss. Handling is much improved with the Franiec Grip (which is a stick-on piece of machined aluminium).
If you want to try the S70 as a piece of history, and are happy taking pics mostly in good light, you'll enjoy it. If you want a serious and tiny picture making tool, the S90 fits the bill a lot better.

There's a reason why medium format camera makers were slow to adopt CMOS sensors. CCD sensors can be amazingly good. I still have my G1, the Pro 1, and the A590IS loaded with CHDK.

Despite all the bells and whistles on new cameras I think there's a compelling argument for buying older cameras, especially if your intent is to publish online or restrict printing to 8.5 X 11. 8 or 10 mp is all you need.