Features & Controls

The G11 features a 5X optical (28-140mm in the 35mm format) f/2.8-4.5 all-glass aspherical zoom lens. When powered down retracts the lens inside of the body and a built-in shutter closes to protect the it.

Canon continues to offer their true Optical Image Stabilization system on their PowerShot models. Unlike electronic stabilization systems that typically degrade image quality with high ISO noise, Canon's "lens-shift" IS system is based on the advancements made in the development and refinement of their EF and video lenses. This stabilization system, combined with the fast f/2.8 maximum aperture, will allow the G11 to capture sharper images in marginal lighting, compared to non-OIS models (Canon claims up to three stops of camera shake correction).

The PowerShot G11 is equiped with a nine-point TTL AF system that achieves sharp focus quickly, and is aided in low-light conditions with a built-in AF assist lamp. You can move the AF point to the desired area within the frame by pressing the AF Point Selection button on the back of the camera, and using the 4-way controller as well as choose the AF frame size (Normal or Small). It also features Face Detection AF/AE/FE/WB technology and a Servo AF mode.

The focusing range is:

• Auto, Low light: 0.4-in. (1cm) - infinity Wdie, 12 in. (30cm) - infinity Tele
• Normal: 1.6 ft. (50cm) - infinity Wide
• Macro: 0.4 in. - 1.6 ft. (1 - 50cm) Wide, 12.0 in. - 1.6 ft. (30 - 50cm) Tele
  

To attach auxiliary Canon lenses just press the button and remove the dress ring, attach the optional Conversion Lens Adapter LA-DC58K and then the Canon Tele Converter TC-DC58D.

The LA-DC58F adapter allows the use of 58mm filters, and Canon also offers their ring accessory kit RAK-DC2 that lets you to personalize the look of your G11 (or G10).

The built in flash offers Auto, On, Slow Synchro or Off. There are also options for flash output/compensation (±2.0 stops in 1/3-stop increments), Red-Eye Correction, Red-Eye Reduction, FE Lock, 2nd-curtain Synchro and Safety FE.

Flash range at ISO Auto is:

• 1.6 ft. - 23 ft. (50cm - 7.0m) at Wide angle / 1.6 - 13 ft. (50cm - 4.0m) at Telephoto

The G11 also features a hotshoe for using optional flash units like Canon's 220EX, 380EX, 430EX II or 580EX II Speedlites.

Compact and elegantly designed, the optional High-Power Flash HF-DC1 complements your PowerShot perfectly and requires no accessory shoe. With a strong light output (guide number 59 ft.) and wide angular field (28mm), it delivers proper illumination up to approximately 30 feet and in all zoom positions. The flash fires in synchronization with the main flash, and output is adjusted accurately and automatically. A "Manual" mode prevents others from firing your flash.

Here you can see the real-image zoom viewfinder, which offers a 15mm (0.59 in.) eyepoint, approx. 77% frame coverage and dioptric adjustment. Next to the finder are two LEDs that indicate the flash and focus status. To the left you can see the Print/Share/Shortcut button, and on the right is the Play mode button.

Controls on top: on the left is the Exposure compensation control dial (±2EV in 1/3EV steps). To the right of the hot shoe is the ISO mode dial (Auto, 80 - 3200) with the Mode dial mounted in the center/top. It has positions for Auto, Program, Shutter priority, Aperture priority, Manual, Custom 1&2, Movie, SCN, Quick Shot, and Low light modes. You can also see the built-in microphone above the dials. Next is the shutter release with the zoom lens control mounted around it, in playback mode the zoom lever functions as the index and magnified image control. Last but not least is the On/Off power button.

On the back is a 461,000 pixel 2.8-inch Pure Color II vari-angle LCD monitor, which  ccan be roated up to 270 degrees. This unit offers a great deal of versatility in framing, with shooting positions that are just not possible with a fixed display (waist level, over a crowd, etc.). You can even rotate the screen around to be closed inside the camera, protected while you use some other means to frame you subject; like the OVF or an external monitor via the A/V out.

Controls on the back: in the upper right is the AE Lock/FE Lock button, which controls the Program Shift option. Next is the AF Frame (image Delete in playback) and Metering mode buttons (image rotate in playback). The 4-way controller lets you navigate menus and select images during playback, the FUNC/SET button accepts menu selections. It also gives you access to the Function shortcut menu, which has many settings (white balance, Color effects, Bracketing, Flash output compensation, Image quality and Image size, etc.). In record mode you press "Up" to change to enable/disable Manual focus, "Right" to toggle the flash mode, "Down" to change the Drive mode, and "Left" to enable Macro focus mode. Mounted around the 4-way controller is the Control dial, which allows you to quickly navigate the menu, set aperture and shutter speed values, use Program Shift, etc. The DISPlay button turns the color LCD on/off and controls the amount of data displayed on it. The MENU button calls up and dismisses the menu screens.

At the top you can see the HDMI output port, which when used with the optional HTC-100 HDMI cable, allows you to connect your G11 to a HDTV set (you can also use the supplied cables to connect to a HDTV at standard definition resolution).

Next we have the Remote Terminal port, which accepts the optional Remote Switch RS60-E3, allowing you to release the shutter button without touching the camera.

At the bottom is the a combination port that handles both the standard definition Audio/Video output as well as USB 2.0 (high-speed) connectivity to a computer for downloading files or Direct printing to any PictBridge compatible printer. The operation of this port is determined by which of the supplied cables you insert into it. 

The Powershot G11 is equipped with a card slot that supports use of SD/MMC/MMC+ cards up to 2GB or SDHC/HC MMC+ cards up to 8GB. Shown here with a Sandisk Ultra II Class 2 4GB SDHC card - see the tables below for the approximate storage capacity.

Number of Recordable Images

Large (L) Medium 1 (M1) Medium 2 (M2) Medium 3 (M3) F N F N F N F N File Size (KB) 2,565 1,226 1,620 780 1,116 556 558 278 2GB 749 1,536 1,181 2,363 1,707 3,235 3,235 6,146 8GB 2,994 6,140 4,723 9,446 6,822 12,927 12,927 24,562   Small (S) Widescreen (W) RAW Low Light F N F N RAW +JPEG F N File Size (KB) 150 84 1,920 918 12,825 15,390 706 353 2GB 10,245 15,368 1,007 2,048 135 113 2,560 4,729 8GB 40,937 61.406 4,026 8,187 540 455 10,234 18,894

Time of Recordable Movies

Standard, Color Accent, Color Swap 640 x 480 320 x 240 30 fps 30 fps Movie Size (KB/sec.) 1,402 480 2GB 22 min. 45 sec. 1 hr. 04 min. 01 sec. 8GB 1 hr. 30 min. 57 sec. 4 hr. 15 min. 51 sec. Note: N=Normal F=Fine SF=SuperFine Storage Capacity varies depending on camera settings. This data is estimated from Canon's standard shooting conditions. Figures for Movie Mode represent total capacity of the particular media.

 

The G11 is powered by the same proprietary Canon NB-7L 7.4v 1050 mAh Li-ion battery pack used with past models; specifically the G10. This battery is charged in the included rapid charger, which features fold-away prongs, providing excellent portability. Canon claims a battery life of approx. 390 shots (LCD on)/1000 shots (LCD off), and a continuous playback time of approx. 7 hours (using CIPA Standards).

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