Canon PowerShot G11 v G10

When Canon released the PowerShot G11, replacing the very popular G10, they took the bold step of reducing the resolution from 14.7 megapixels to 'just' 10.0. We are regularly asked why this was, so I thought I'd explain...

Both cameras use the same 1/1.7" sized sensor. This means that the G10 has to squeeze in approximately 45% more pixels (or 'photosites' as they're more accurately called) into that space than the G11. Put another way, the G11 has 45% larger photosites than the G10, allowing much more light in and increasing the signal-to-noise ratio.

As the owner of a G10, I can attest to the quality of the images that it produces, but I also understand that I don't need such a high resolution camera to do so. The trade-off of squeezing more pixels into the same sized area is that it increases the likelihood of noise.

Unless you're printing at A2+ sizes, the effect of the reduction in resolution won't be apparent, but the reduction in noise will.

The PowerShot G10 is officially discontinued now, although there are still a few available (it is slightly cheaper). But if you think that the G11 is a down-grade, don't! It will produce better images due to the reduction in noise.