G11 or SX 20 IS

[Maggiepotatoes]

Hi,

I'm looking for a new P&S and am not sure where I belong. From what I have read, the image quality of a G11 is as good as it gets without moving to a DSLR. My problem is I am drawn to the higher zoom on some other models. The G11 is 5x and I'm wondering if that is enough. If I could get excellent photos on a camera that has 10x I would be thrilled. The camera would be primarily used for landscapes (vacation type photos) and people (indoors and out). I had a DSLR a few years ago and I do appreciate a picture that "pops". Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Maggie

[tkbslc]

Both take excellent outdoor photos and can take great indoor photos if you use an external speedlite. Since you favor a long zoom, I would say the SX20 is more your kind of Camera. It has a HUGE zoom. You'd be spending $800+ to get that kind of zoom on an SLR. It also has HD video - which the G11 lacks. Side by side, looking very very close, the G11 probably has slightly better picture quality, but it certainly can't go bird hunting, for example.

As I said above, I'd get a Speedlite for your people shots indoors. Something like a 430EX would pair nicely. Point it at the ceiling indoors and watch how much nicer your pictures look.

[lsk333]

Hi,

I own an earlier version of the SX you are thinking about purchasing and I just bought my G11. I really love both cameras. Both take outstanding photos. The reason I opted to purchase my G11 was because I was tired of lugging around my SX. The camera is big and bulky. Initially I didn't think this would bother me but as it turns out, it bothers me a lot. It was difficult to pack when traveling and it weighed a ton around my neck when walking around. I love landscapes and vistas and whatnot but I found I wasn't even taking the camera with me because of its size and weight...so guess what...I wasn't taking any photos at all. This lead me to purchase my G11. It is not as good taking distance shots because the zoom is very limited but it's much smaller, lighter and easier to pack and transport...and the pictures and other capabilities are absolutely fabulous. ...and I take it with me all the time, so I'm taking photos again.

So...the choice I think is between size and zoom. Either camera will take high quality pictures for you.

[Maggiepotatoes]

Thank you both for your comments.

It's really interesting that you point out the weight of the SX as that is definitely a concern and part of the reason I got rid of my DSLR several years ago. I was tired of lugging around a ton of stuff so I downsized to an SD1000. While this camera is great to shove into a pocket, I'm not satisfied with the pictures that I get from it so I am looking for something in the middle.

I think it does come down to camera size vs zoom and I will have to decide which is more important to me.

[tkbslc]

Honestly, this is why I have two cameras. The SLR for when quality is more important than portability. And the pocket camera (I have a SD1100) for when portability matter more.

Honestly, I have used a G series before, and I don't find them any more portable than the SX series. They are about half the weight, yes, but they are not small enought to put in a pocket and forget you are carrying it like the SD series.

[lsk333]

tkbslc is correct about the size of the G11 not being small enough to put in your pocket. However, it is much much smaller and more compact than the SX. There are also very few cameras that will fit in a pocket that take high quality pictures. Perhaps the S90 is an exception although I have been reading that some complain that the camera is too small for larger hands.

I took my son's SD1100 with me to Whistler and Victoria this past summer because I wanted something small to carry with me. My husband took my SX. The difference in picture quality was amazing. We went whale watching and I missed several pictures because of shutter speed and what I did get was often blurry. The photos my husband got with the SX were amazing. There's simply no comparison. That's why I shelled out the bucks for the G11. I want the best of both worlds. So far, I can't really complain about the size.

[lsk333]

One other consideration...the G11 takes photos in RAW whereas the SX does not (I don't think!)

[tkbslc]

I took my son's SD1100 with me to Whistler and Victoria this past summer because I wanted something small to carry with me. My husband took my SX. The difference in picture quality was amazing. We went whale watching and I missed several pictures because of shutter speed and what I did get was often blurry. The photos my husband got with the SX were amazing. There's simply no comparison. That's why I shelled out the bucks for the G11. I want the best of both worlds. So far, I can't really complain about the size.

Probably hard to do whale shots with a 3 or 5x zoom, either way! Tradeoffs abound with photo gear, sadly. We just all have to decide which compromise we want to make for the kind of photos we want to take.


You are correct that the SX20 does not do RAW like the G11. If that is important, there is the SX1, though.

[lsk333]

MaggieP, you may want to think about looking into the S90. I understand it's a really great little camera...and I think it has greater zoom capabilities too. It may actually meet your needs better than either the SX or the G11.

[Maggiepotatoes]

Thanks for the great input. I went to the store and did some playing and I'm getting closer to making a decision. I've determined that the SX20 is too heavy. It's beautiful but it's a tank! I also had a chance to get my hands on the G11. I fell in love with this camera...I love how the dials on top of the camera, the display, it felt good. However, I also found out that the 5x zoom will not satisfy my all-purpose camera needs. Someday I will buy a G11 or G-something but not today.

I didn't look at the S90 but as per your suggestion, I'll check it out. I did look at the Panasonic FZ35 while I was there and I must say, it might be what I am looking for. It's similar to the SX20 but has a few different features, including RAW. It's a bit smaller and quite a bit lighter. It seems to fit my hands better and doesn't tire out my wrist like the SX20 did. I've never purchased a non-Canon camera before and I'm a bit hesitant to take the plunge. I've done a bit of reading and the reviews show both as being great cameras. I will do more reading.

[tkbslc]

For compacts, I think Panasonic makes excellent cameras. Every bit as good as Canon, IMO. The FZ35 is a great camera. The one thing you might miss is the flash hotshoe for using an external flash unit - essential for good people pictures indoors, IMO.

[lsk333]

Panasonic ??? Bleh! I haven't purchased anything from Panasonic in a long time simply because everything I ever bought from them was either inadequate or poor quality. I know they get good reviews but I just can't get past the problems I've had with anything Panasonic. Personally, I'd stick with Canon. Try the S90 before you jump ship!

[gardengirl13]

If the G11 zoom wasn't enough then the S90 won't be.

Pannys can be great. Maybe take a card with you snap tons of photos around the store and take it home to see how it looks on a computer. If it's ok, then go buy it.

[lsk333]

The zoom on the S90 is much larger than on the G11.

I don't question the quality of the images you can get from a Panasonic. I question the quality of the camera, period!!! If the thing only lasts a month or two before it starts having problems, like everything else I ever bought from them, then it's no bargain!

[tkbslc]

I keep hearing about the S90 in this thread and I don't get it. From Canon:

G11: 6.1 (W) - 30.5mm (35mm film equivalent: 28 (W) - 140 (T) mm)
S90: 6.0 (W)-22.5mm (T) f/2.0-4.9 (35mm equivalent: 28-105mm)

So the S90 has about 2/3 the zoom range. That doesn't sound like what the OP wants.

I think you have a bit of an unfair view of panasonic, lsk333. Many have had excellent results with Panasonic (I have a 12 year old panasonic TV I still use daily). Also, some have had lemon Canons, too. Panasonic consistently earns high marks for their cameras and I would not hesitate to buy one. If I dies in a month or two, which is no more likely that with any other brand, that would certainly be covered by warranty, would it not?

[Maggiepotatoes]

I checked out the S90 and while it seems like a great camera, the zoom is not enough zoom. I have done a ton of reading and no matter how I spin it, the FZ35 keeps coming back as the right camera for me. I placed my order this morning. Thanks all for the input.

[lsk333]

Well, I think Panasonic was probably a better brand 12 years ago.

Nonetheless, Maggie, you have done your homework and I think you have probably made the right decision. Please don't hesitate to let me know how the camera works out for you. I am genuinely interested.