different kind of G11 vs S90 question

(edit 6/25/10- please also read my other posts in this thread, including the last one- since this is an older thread I don't want people just reading my first post and then moving on- thanks so much!)


Sorry I know there are about a million of these threads but none that answer my question.

I have health problems and have very sadly been having to sell off my heavier equipment. As it is I'm struggling with the 100 macro on my camera, but I really can't sell it. I need a camera that I can throw in my bag and have with me all the time. Something I can take when going out that doesn't weight as much as the DSLR.

I had my heart set on the G11 for christmas, but hearing the S90 is a close match I'm not sure what to do. I really don't want to go to a p&s (partly because I fear that within a year or two it'll be my only camera if my health keeps getting worse.) So I want the best I can manage, light weight and under $550 or so.

Now one concern is the size, I worry something small will make my hand fumble a bit. Sometimes small things are hard to manage. But I think the S90 is lighter, which may be a slight advantage. I also worry about the low light capabilites so I've been toying with the idea of getting a flash for days when the weight of it won't bother me. So that means the G11.

I guess I'm just talking out loud here. I'm not really sure if anyone will be able to answer my question. The problem is my local best buy doesn't even carry the G11, so I have no where to go test them out.

So I guess my question would be if your 85 year old grandmother knew a bit about how to work cameras and said her DSLR is getting way to heavy for her which camera would you have her buy. yeah I feel about that old.

I want something good that if I do have to sell my kit I won't cry too much having to use.

Here are some things about me
-I don't use flash (but may if I can't use a 1.8 lens)
-I don't care about the swivel LCD but it may come in handy if I can't get to the ground much
-I'd prefer a longer zoom, but right now have been managing with only going to 105 on a crop (but I do miss shooting birds)
-I want good IQ, even if it means I have to re-learn how to shoot with a p&s compared to a DSLR
-I don't want to miss my current kit but am willing to sacrafice some just so I can keep shooting

gardengirl13 wrote in post #8958978
Sorry I know there are about a million of these threads but none that answer my question.

I have health problems and have very sadly been having to sell off my heavier equipment. As it is I'm struggling with the 100 macro on my camera, but I really can't sell it. I need a camera that I can throw in my bag and have with me all the time. Something I can take when going out that doesn't weight as much as the DSLR.

I had my heart set on the G11 for christmas, but hearing the S90 is a close match I'm not sure what to do. I really don't want to go to a p&s (partly because I fear that within a year or two it'll be my only camera if my health keeps getting worse.) So I want the best I can manage, light weight and under $550 or so.


Now one concern is the size, I worry something small will make my hand fumble a bit. Sometimes small things are hard to manage. But I think the S90 is lighter, which may be a slight advantage. I also worry about the low light capabilites so I've been toying with the idea of getting a flash for days when the weight of it won't bother me. So that means the G11.

I guess I'm just talking out loud here. I'm not really sure if anyone will be able to answer my question. The problem is my local best buy doesn't even carry the G11, so I have no where to go test them out.

So I guess my question would be if your 85 year old grandmother knew a bit about how to work cameras and said her DSLR is getting way to heavy for her which camera would you have her buy. yeah I feel about that old.

I want something good that if I do have to sell my kit I won't cry too much having to use.

Here are some things about me
-I don't use flash (but may if I can't use a 1.8 lens)
-I don't care about the swivel LCD but it may come in handy if I can't get to the ground much
-I'd prefer a longer zoom, but right now have been managing with only going to 105 on a crop (but I do miss shooting birds)
-I want good IQ, even if it means I have to re-learn how to shoot with a p&s compared to a DSLR
-I don't want to miss my current kit but am willing to sacrafice some just so I can keep shooting

the s90 can be a little slick, and the controls are kind of tiny to get to. Not that the g11 will be a bunch better on control size. I've not shot, or really held the g11, but given the health issues you raise I would actually look more toward that than the s90 I think. I love the s90, but I assume that the image quality would be similar. Sorry to hear about your issues

Yeah it sucks and seems to be getting worse.

I do worry about the size of the S90, I used my dad's G10 for a bit and it did seem heavy, but usable, but I wonder if the weight would help stablize the camera from shake a bit. I used an A610 years ago and liked the size, is the S90 around the same size and weight? I'll have to look it up and see. I know people compare it to the size of a pack of cigarettes, but what about the weight, would it be like a pack of playing cards?

gardengirl13 wrote in post #8959081
Yeah it sucks and seems to be getting worse.

I do worry about the size of the S90, I used my dad's G10 for a bit and it did seem heavy, but usable, but I wonder if the weight would help stablize the camera from shake a bit. I used an A610 years ago and liked the size, is the S90 around the same size and weight? I'll have to look it up and see. I know people compare it to the size of a pack of cigarettes, but what about the weight, would it be like a pack of playing cards?

yeah, that weight example is pretty close....maybe very slightly heavier

Do you have to stick with Canon?

Olympus and Panasonic have the Micro 4/3 dSLR system or the Olympus PEN - much smaller/lighter than a regular dSLR.

I have a G11, my sister has an S90. I have played with both (especially the G11) extensively. the S90 is literally half the weight (6 oz compared to 12 0z) of the G11. I don't feel tired after taking pictures with the S90, or have a sore neck.

In manual mode, the S90 is a pleasure to work with. the G11 constatly has me fumbling through the three paramaters. I set the shortcut button on the S90 to metering, use one ring for exposure and the other for aperture - and they can be swapped or changed however. The S90 has 1/3 stop incriments for ISO setting (and is the FIRST setting available in the menu, so easy to access!) in any mode as well, so you can get JUST the right settings you need, vs getting only full stop settings on the G11.

Obviously, the S90 has fewer ports and whatnot - it cannot be used with a remote shutter, cannot use hot shoe flash, and cannot have additional lenses easily mounted to it.

The S90 lacks some of the features in-camera that the G11 has, such as particular focusing modes (it doesn't have the manually adjustable focus points, just center and face detection)

The f/2.0 lens of the S90 really does make a world of difference in low light shooting - I was able to capture her quick yorkies running about the poorly lit living room, my camera captured noisy blurs.

The tripod screw hold on the S90 is located center of lens, not offset like the G11. not sure if this is the nodal point, but I guess it is a big deal to some people.

Overall, the S90 feels less significant in hand. the build quality, while containing more metal buttons than the G11, feels a little cheaper. The battery is about 1/3 the size of the G11 and the shooting capacity is about 1/2. The very flat 4-way/dial button is too flat, often causing me to turn the wheel when pressing an arrow, or press the center button when pressing an arrow - frustrating. the wheel feel is inconstant - sometimes it feels tight, but sometimes it feels out of control and very loose. They implemented the front wheel nicely into the menu, it can be used to quickly setup the self time, jump 10 photos at a time when playing back the action (on the larger, 3" screen) or jump catagorys in the menu without first reaching the top.

Both cameras have the same (or so I think) built in flash, but the S90's pops out. both can be synced the same and have variable brightness. I have been pinched by the flash being lowered, so watch out!

For a person who wants an SLR but can't justify the cost/size/downward spiral of accessories - the G11 is for them

For a person who has an amazing SLR camera and wants a great camera to fall on while at the amusement park with their kids, the S90 is for them.

My sister was hot for the S90 because she wanted something that took GREAT pictures, was small (she came from an older Sony camera - very good for it's time) and had that stupid color effect setting (all Canons have this...). She wanted a camera that was as impressive as it is powerful and didn't feel like a toy. I was hoping she or her fiance (the person who bought it for her) would use it as a segway into SLRs, what with the manual controls at all. For the money, I don't think you can get another brand new point and shoot camera of this size that is as capable. S90 FTW.

gkarris wrote in post #8959174
Do you have to stick with Canon?

Olympus and Panasonic have the Micro 4/3 dSLR system or the Olympus PEN - much smaller/lighter than a regular dSLR.

this is a viable option as well, but they're quite spendy!

spendy plus too much weight I think (I could be wrong)

I didn't realize the S90 was half the weight! That may make me change my mind and go with that one. I don't have to stick with Canon, but since hearing such great reviews of both the S90 and G11 I narrowed it down to those two.

I always thought of the G series as a camera for those who want DSLR quality but don't want all the lenses, that's why I've always seemed to steer towards that series.

I need something with great IQ and light weight as even something like a can of soda is heavy when my hands hurt. I can manage but I have to set it down often. Even on my good days a half gallon of milk hurts. But gripping small stuff hurts too, like the steering wheel in the car.

I think the 2.0 lens will be more my style since I never use flashes now and the 2.8 isn't wide enough. Now one question where does the f stop change on both cameras? Does one change a lot sooner then the other?

gardengirl13 wrote in post #8959406
spendy plus too much weight I think (I could be wrong)

I didn't realize the S90 was half the weight! That may make me change my mind and go with that one. I don't have to stick with Canon, but since hearing such great reviews of both the S90 and G11 I narrowed it down to those two.

I always thought of the G series as a camera for those who want DSLR quality but don't want all the lenses, that's why I've always seemed to steer towards that series.

I need something with great IQ and light weight as even something like a can of soda is heavy when my hands hurt. I can manage but I have to set it down often. Even on my good days a half gallon of milk hurts. But gripping small stuff hurts too, like the steering wheel in the car.

I think the 2.0 lens will be more my style since I never use flashes now and the 2.8 isn't wide enough. Now one question where does the f stop change on both cameras? Does one change a lot sooner then the other?

my unscientific test was as follows. set the camera at f2 wide. Then tapped the zoom lever and looked to see what the f stop was. Took me 6 taps to get to full zoom.
2 full wide
2.2
2.5
2.8
3.5
4.5
4.9 full zoom.

obviously my taps weren't uniform, but should give you some idea until someone finds and provides the actual stats.

the camera only has so many zoom positions, I am willing to bet that your results are as scientific as it gets.

gardengirl13 wrote in post #8958978
Now one concern is the size, I worry something small will make my hand fumble a bit. Sometimes small things are hard to manage. But I think the S90 is lighter, which may be a slight advantage.

You might find this Richard Franiec S90 grip add-on to be useful. It isn't quite out yet, but I have used his grips on previous cameras and they were great. I am anxiously awaiting this one as well.

http://forums.dpreview​.com …10&thread=33476​524&page=1

http://www.kleptograph​y.com/rf

-howard

neat! I think a grip for the G11 would be great!

Erik_L wrote in post #8961004
neat! I think a grip for the G11 would be great!

Richard made really nice ones for the G7 and G9 models. However, the G10 had a built in "grip", although not as effective as the previous knurled add on ones. I suppose the G11 has a similar shape to the G11.

-howard

it has a grip of sorts, but so do SLRs and even Canon makes grips for them, often just to hold more juice.

My reasoning is purely psychological:
You seem sad you are having to sell your DSLR equipment.
So you should not think of the S90, it might end up hurting your self esteem because in the end its just a point and shoot, you might feel like a simple tourist.
Carrying the G11 will make you feel good about yourself. The G11 makes one kind of get the DSLR exprience, youll feel like a photographer.