G11 or S90

[sunking39]

I'll be buying a new PS. I was waiting gor the G11 but now I look at the s90, and i see it being hugely competitive with the G 11.

The S90 is cheaper and smaller.
The g11 has viewdinder and swivel display ( I like that) and more zoom.
However the image quality, at least the sepcs, and everything else looks like a tie to me.

Which one do you prefer, which one will you be buying? And why do you think someone should buy the G 11 instead?

PS: Polls are FUN!
VOTE AWAY!

[mzondeki]

I need a P&S too and in similar situation.
G11 : can add speedlight, can add filters.
S90 : Smaller size, Faster (F2.0) lens
No idea how lens aperture changes with focal length.
I will buy if it is at least F2.8 at 50mm

[tgara]

For my needs and shooting, the S90 is what I would choose. I'll probably be dumping my G9.

[DigitalMan]

G11

Viewfinder and swivel screen do it for me.

[Bob_A]

G11 because:

- it has a max shutterspeed of 1/4000s vs 1/1600s for the S90
- it has the ability to use a hotshoe flash (BIG advantage for me)
- it has an optional remote control (wish my G9 did)
- it has an optical viewfinder, although nothing great

[smythie]

A decent chance I will upgrade the G10 for an S90 if I end up moving up to a 50D. The G10 has done an exceptional job as a reasonably compact camera for site visits and I think an S90 will do as good, if not better while taking up less space in my briefcase. The dSLR will serve as my creative tool where the G10 has started my learning

[bugn]

G11

Viewfinder and swivel screen do it for me.



I agree. I like a viewfinder especially on bright sunny days.

[psinkant]

S90 for me because of the size. I used to own a G10 and I found it too big to fit in my pocket. If I'm gonna be carrying a G10 in my hand or around my neck, I might as well bring my DSLR. That's just my opinion though.

[82NoMe]

S90 for me because of the size. I used to own a G10 and I found it too big to fit in my pocket. If I'm gonna be carrying a G10 in my hand or around my neck, I might as well bring my DSLR. That's just my opinion though.

+1...

[tkbslc]

S90. f/2 lens and it fits in my pocket.

If I wanted to carry a non-pocketable camera around all day it would be my SLR, not the G11. Technically you can fit a g-series in some pants pockets, but it isn't comfortable and you need a good belt to keep your pants up.

[snowboarder]

G11

Viewfinder and swivel screen do it for me.

so if I don't care for neither, s90 is the answer...

[iqbal624]

What about G10 vs. S90?

[easypz]

What would you say if I told you I was going to buy both the G11 and S90? Well it probably won't happen but it's an easy answer if you put it another way. If the size of the G11 (not that big really) would keep you from carrying it EVERYWHERE then get the S90. The best camera for any situation is the one you have with you. So the best camera for you is the one that you won't mind bringing with you. Now if you are not the kind of person that brings a camera EVERYWHERE ALL THE TIME and only brings a camera when you intend to take pictures get the G11. That twisty display is the most versatile thing you could possibly imagine for a camera to have.

[easypz]

What about G10 vs. S90?

Nah, I stopped buying the G series after the twist display went away and bought a Canon A640 instead. The G10 is more of the same. The G11 will probably gather me back into the G-Fold.

[WatchFan1]

S90. f/2 lens and it fits in my pocket.

If I wanted to carry a non-pocketable camera around all day it would be my SLR, not the G11. Technically you can fit a g-series in some pants pockets, but it isn't comfortable and you need a good belt to keep your pants up.

....ditto....

I am very impressed with the specs of S90 and I can only hope that
the 'real life' results will be as impressive as the Press release.
Considering I just bought a DSLR (500D) 3 weeks ago, I am pretty sure that I want
something more 'pocketable' than my (still wonderful) G9.

[jms_uk]

As my P&S cameras were always from IXUS series [digital ELPH for our US based members :)] and pocketable I'd go for S90.

And I hope prices come down from the press release ones, so I can maybe get one.

[WatchFan1]

i agree......i also think that the announced price of s90 is too cLose to G11,
and if we are lucky we can see a little price drop...

[tenoverthenose]

If only the S90 had a hot shoe....

[Telkin]

If only the S90 had a hot shoe....

Totally agree with you there. That's the biggest thing going for the G11 that I'm still flip-flopping over.

[lefturn99]

If only the S90 had a hot shoe....

+2.

I know it's silly, but I love using the G9 with a 580ex II on it or with a trigger and off camera flash. Makes people go - HUH?

And I've missed the articulated LCD since my beloved G6

But I'm tired of carrying it on my belt and it gets in the way. So S90 for me.

[tenoverthenose]

This is what is making me think of the DP2 or even the GF1

[n1as]

G11 because of the hot shoe and viewfinder. Bounce flash makes such a difference for indoor family pics that it is worth it even if the camera is bigger. Using on-camera flash makes the images look like a cheap snapshot no matter what.

For outdoor bright sunlight shots, the LCDs become frustratingly useless. Viewfinder becomes the better choice. Again the G11 comes out on top.

But, I agree that the GF1 is an attractive alternative that promises to deliver what no P&S has delivered to date - acceptable high ISO performance!

[reemas]

can anyone talk about the different modes, especially movie modes between the s90 and g11?

i used the time lapse and movie feature a lot on my g9. stupid thing got dust inside so i'm looking for a new camera.

[Rad1cal]

I was just deciding over the same cameras. I went for the G11 and i have not been dissapointed.
ok it is larger than the s90 , but i personally dont mind carry it around since i know it will give me great shot. And i love the swivel screen it really is helpful for some akward shot. And yes the viewfinder does help in bright sun especially since i live in a country with a lot of it, but it does show the lens when it is extended on 5x zoom and only shows about 90% of whats on the screen. The quickly accesible iso is helpful and same with the flash control. The g series tned to be focused on picture taking so the video quality is only avergae but i have a proper video cam for that so i dont mind. The hot shoe is also handy as i have an add on flash.
The thing i did kinda like when i looked at the s90 was the control ring but my hands are big and it felt akward for me to turn. Also it has a slighty larger screen but it really isnt that uch bigger than the g11's. And the faster lens creating a bit of barrel rolling too although it isnt so noticable unless viewed on a tv.
It really is about personal needs though but i still recomend the g11 if you dont mind the size.

[St.dunstan]

I have the G11, and I am quite happy with it. I have a A630, it has served me well, and I like how Canon has made a progression through its camera series with menus and control layout.

My GF has been looking at the S90, she wants a smaller camera, and has been complaining about the low light capability of her current P+S. I told her about Richard's grip, I like the grip area on the G11, it really makes it feel secure.

[ogre1231]

I would say it depends on what you're using it for....I use my S90 as a versatile walk around p&s. It works pretty well and takes good photos. My g10 is my underwater camera. It rarely leaves it's housing. That being said, I did use my g10 for above water stuff at one point and it was a nice camera, but the large size bothered me. Not quite my 1dii, but it was not a pocketable camera for me.

[St.dunstan]

My G11 is replacing an A630. The folding screen is a deal maker in my case. My GF is looking at the S90, though with the arrival of the SD4000, who knows what she will get. She is interested in the low light capability of a 2.0 lens.

[andrewc574]

I bought both. I love the layout of the G11 as well as a lot of the hidden features, such as when you use the exposure lock feature, a graphic showing the locked settings pops up on the monitor. I also like the fact that there are dedicated controls on the camera and I don't have to dive deep into menus to do a lot of what I want to do. The size is also nice as is the grip and the swivel screen. The S90 is also a marvel though, and it amazes me what such a tiny camera can do. It feels solid even though it's so small, and I love the control ring around the lens. Speaking of the lens, it's also amazing with its f/2 at the wide end. I must admit though that the upcoming SD4000 Elph sounds almost as good except for its lack of RAW and lower ISO limit. It has the same f/2 lens though plus HD video, but it's slightly longer. To sum it up, I use the G11 when I don't want to take my 7D/grip out but I want a bit more control than the S90 allows me, but I take the S90 with me when I've got the 7D in use. Or sometimes I just have all three of them in my bag. Why not, huh?

[Enrico84]

If you already have a dSLR, then go with the S90, more portable....otherwise I vote for G11!

[Jannie]

I've been supprised how adapted I'm getting to using the folding screen, it's really handy.

[Erik1974]

I've been supprised how adapted I'm getting to using the folding screen, it's really handy.

I have found another great use for the folding screen:
If you want to take pictures of children, just turn the screen towards them and use the viewfinder yourself, the kids will start doing all kinds of funny things as they can see themself on the screen.

[St.dunstan]

I have the G11, and I am quite happy with it. I have a A630, it has served me well, and I like how Canon has made a progression through its camera series with menus and control layout.

My GF has been looking at the S90, she wants a smaller camera, and has been complaining about the low light capability of her current P+S. I told her about Richard's grip, I like the grip area on the G11, it really makes it feel secure.

Well, my GF ordered the S90, so I will get to use both.:)

[ZCphoto]

I just picked up a G11 from Best Buy to compare it to the S90. I plan on either returning the G11 or selling the S90 depending on which I prefer. I can already see this will be tough. Physically it is really a draw for me. The G11 has better controls, stronger build, better feel, and more reach. I already have a 270EX so the hotshoe is a plus. The viewfinder sucks but not nearly as much as no viewfinder. The S90 is truly pocketable and has a little faster lens on the wide end. However, my gut feeling is the G11 is more of a "leave my DSLR at home" camera while the S90 is the one I can see always carrying.

[2mnycars]

ZCphoto--I have the G11 because of the screen. That's what I like. But I carry it more like a small dslr. I've gone back to using a Domke strap with mine. Then I use the fold out screen as a waist level finder when that's good for me.

That's the good news. But the bad news? I don't find that convenient. So my every-day-carry is a Panasonic ZS3. Bought it when I had an offer I couldn't refuse. Best feature? The lens. The S90 would have been a delight, except--the lens is shorter. I know it's brighter/faster...

Every camera is a compromise.

The good news is that we have choices.

[xhack]

I bought my daughter an S90 as a step-up from her hand-me-down A510. Sneaky me. She's one of those frustrating people with an observant eye for a quirky off-beat pic, and an instinctive flair for composition - but generally no interest in furthering her knowledge base.

It's been a major triumph to get her off Green Box and into P mode and basic exposure compensation. So lack of hot shoe and optical VF is not an issue. Waste of money? I don't think so. She is stunned by the quality and ease of use in low light (she's a party girl . . .). She carries it everywhere. And uses it. I still have hopes . . .

Stacked up against my G10? When replacement time comes, the VF issue is irrelevant, since I've found the G10 VF is pretty useless. But the lack of hot shoe would be a deal-breaker.

Otherwise, what a cracking wee camera!

[71_340]

After a lot of research, "hands-on" at BestBuy, and reading endless reviews I bought the G11. Here is what appeals to me:

1. Swivel LCD screen
2. View finder
3. Option to use an external flash
4. The solid feel
5. The actual size and ergonomics; it fits perfect for me

I am sure there isn't much difference in picture quality for the average person since most everybody uses the automatic modes. I really just comes down to personnel preference and how much you are willing to spent. I would make the same choice again.

[tware]

I just went from a G10 to a S90, instead of the G11. Mostly for pocketability.. However, I just realized how weak the min focus distance is on the S. I loved doing macro stuff with my G. The S just doesnt get close enough and is too soft opened up. I've already started thinking about getting a G11 or 10.. or the next G to compliment my S.