Canon G11…Opinions Please

Any one got one?? I'm after a bridge camera with a view finfder, reasonable performance on action/natural stuff, and one which I can use for a few years without it dropping to bits

Should fit the bill. Tried one in the shop; I found it a bit too big to be pocketable/go anywhere but it was very nice. Went for the LX3 in the end as I figured I would be more likely to have it to hand

Nice camera. It's what I would buy if

A) I was in the market for a compact

and

B) it was a Nikon* 🙂

* not that there is anything wrong with Canon, but my SLR is Nikon and I wouldn't want the hassle of two different workflows and two lots of software.

Nice camera, as others have said.
It's got a very nice processor and a wide enough zoom lens to make it useful for landscape shots as well as a bit of on-the-bike action, and shoots RAW (for when you fancy giving that a try…)
It's what I'd buy if I was in the market for a compact, do-it-all camera and, although it isn't pocketable, you should really put something like that in a protective case anyway.

If you can do without the viewfinder than by a S90.

but my SLR is Nikon and I wouldn't want the hassle of two different workflows and two lots of software.

Eh what?

Put memory card in computer, read pics, import into Photoshop Elements – why would that be different for Nikon or Canon? I've never even opened the CD that came with my camera.

Put memory card in computer, read pics, import into Photoshop Elements – why would that be different for Nikon or Canon

Cos I shoot in RAW and use Nikon's CaptureNX for my RAW development/edit.

There's a photoshop RAW editor…

Still utterly delighted with my G9. In a world of plasticy disposable things, having real metal knurled knobs is great.

Comes on a neck strap, which is fine to go over the shoulder if walking about. Small enough to go in camelbak or daypack and go anywhere with me, which I was always reluctant to do with my DSLR. I don't bother with the case any more, if it's out it's over my shoulder or round my neck, if it's in a bag I just wrap it in a buff.

That said, if it had to be replaced (stolen or I broke it) I'd be very tempted by the S90 instead – I can live without the flash hotshoe, given I don't own a flash, and likewise I hardly use the optical viewfinder.

There's a photoshop RAW editor…

Yeah I know but I've got an investment in NX:

• I've already forked out £90 for CaptureNX.
• I don't even own a copy of Photoshop any more
• I've been using NX for years and my existing images were all edited with it.
• I prefer the images from NX and the fact it can read all the camera settings and apply Nikons own algorithms.

So personally I'd only buy a Nikon compact. The OP is free from this burden so I'd say the G11 is a fine choice.

I have the G10 and love it for a little camera. Stays in my Mule, has taken a few knocks, nothing wrong with it, very well built. Great camera for taking creative shots, or for when you don't want to take your dSLR.

17mm f2.8 is pretty good, can take some nice action shots in the woods! Well you can, once you work out the delay on pressing the button.

Viewfinder isn't too bad, nowhere near the quality of a dSLR viewfinder, but not totally useless either.

Screen is excellent, build is excellent, optics are very good, don't think I would change it for another similar camera, apart from the G11.

LX3's are great but the maximum telephoto of 60mm is far to small for most people but they have just released the LX5 with a 90mm lens.

LX5 over the G11 any day.

If you want to save money get a secondhand Olympus C-7070 off ebay they are brilliant and in the same style as the G11.

I´ve used a G9 for a couple of years. It lives in my backpack and in my pocket. The lens is quite scratched now, which isn´t great and there´s some dirt on the sensor which has been there for a year. It´s a great camera and I´ve got some beautiful shots with it (I think). I would like a wider lens if I was buying again. I´ve used the G11 and it is really nice, the fold out screen is spot on and doesn´t feel too fragile. The pictures seem sharper than the G9 although I don´t know if that´s just me.

If you want a view finder though, the one on the G9 is PANTS! It´s useless. I always use the screen.

I´m going to replace it and will get a Lumix, either the LX5 or the GF1. I like the idea of putting a filter on the 20mm lens on the GF1 to protect it from the elements.

I know very little about cameras apart from what I´ve picked up from using them so the above is just a layman´s opinion!

Got a G10 – bombproof piece of kit and good results. It will actually fit in your back pocket / fleece napoleon pocket at a push so its just pocketable.

Berghaus do a flat rigid case with a spring loaded zip on the top short edge. It has a clip which will fit directly on to the gear loop on your rucsac shoulder strap and a waterproof cover stored on the inside. The G10 just fits this so very easy to take shots on the move.

I have a G10…it survived six months of very arduous conditions somewhere very inhospitable, including on one memorable occasion, being completely submerged in water. It lived on my left hip in a KATA case and still works to this day. For these reasons alone, it gets my vote.

Oh…and I took some of the best photos I've ever taken with it.