Canon PowerShot G11 vs. S110: A Thorough Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

When exploring compact cameras that blend portability with solid photographic chops, Canon’s PowerShot line has long been a reliable contender. Today, I’m diving deep into the Canon PowerShot G11 and the slightly newer Canon PowerShot S110 - two small sensor compacts targeting enthusiasts who want more than what a smartphone offers but without lugging a bulky DSLR. Both classic in their own right, they come from slightly different eras and design philosophies. Which one truly deserves a spot in your photographic arsenal? Let’s embark on a detailed journey through specs, handling, image quality, and real-world shooting scenarios.

A Tale of Two Designs: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

First impressions matter, and here the older G11 asserts its presence. At 112 x 76 x 48 mm and 375 grams, it is a bit chunkier - think of it as the bulking gym guy in a sea of slim runners. Its robust build includes a comfortable grip and a retro-inspired mechanical control layout. In contrast, the S110 is more diminutive and modern-looking at 99 x 59 x 27 mm and under 200 grams, making it much easier to slip into a pocket or jacket. This makes the S110 ideal for travelers or street photographers who value discretion and lightness.

Ergonomically, I liked how the G11’s fully articulated 2.8-inch LCD flips out for tricky angles (yes, including selfies - it even markets itself as selfie-friendly). The S110, meanwhile, has a fixed 3-inch touchscreen LCD with the same 461k dot resolution, a strong point for intuitive control, but less flexible for on-the-fly compositions.

In usage, the G11’s array of physical dials and buttons lets you adjust settings quickly without diving through menus - a feature I’ve often praised for street and event photography where speed is of the essence. The S110 compensates with touchscreen AF point selection and more automation but lacks a viewfinder altogether, whereas the G11 includes an optical tunnel viewfinder (albeit modestly useful without electronic overlay).

Digging Into the Heart: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

At the core, both cameras sport the same 1/1.7-inch sensor size (measuring 7.44 x 5.58 mm, roughly 41.52 mm² sensor area) - a classic compact sensor size. But the G11 uses a 10-megapixel CCD sensor paired with the Digic 4 processor, while the S110 sports a slightly higher resolution 12-megapixel CMOS sensor powered by the newer Digic 5 engine.

In my testing, that translates into subtle but meaningful differences. The CMOS sensor and Digic 5 processor of the S110 provide improved noise handling, better dynamic range, and higher ISO usability - Canon’s claim of working up to ISO 12800 (although realistically noisier at such extremes) outpaces the G11’s ceiling at ISO 3200. DxOMark’s scores back this up with the S110 scoring a marginally better overall (48 vs. 47), slightly higher color depth (20.6 vs. 20.4 bits), and wider dynamic range (11.2 vs. 11.1 EV). The low-light ISO scores are effectively neck-and-neck (168 vs. 169), illustrating both cameras’ limitations in very dim scenarios.

What does this mean for your photos? In daylight conditions, both deliver very pleasing image quality for prints up to 8x10 inches and online sharing. The S110’s sensor nuance shines when shadows open up with detail and noise is smoothened at higher ISOs - vital for evening street shots or dim indoor portraits.

I also appreciate the S110’s lack of an anti-aliasing filter, which aids in resolving finer details from sharper lenses, giving you possibly a slight edge in landscape or macro work.

Autofocus and Speed: Tracking the Moment

I have to hand it to the S110 for autofocus advancements. It features nine contrast-detection AF points with face detection and continuous AF tracking, enabling better subject tracking - crucial in fast-paced situations like street or sports photography. The presence of touch AF in live view mode offers intuitive focusing, something the G11’s nine AF points with face detection but limited AF tracking cannot match.

Continuous shooting speed is where the S110 truly shines: up to 10 fps compared to the G11's leisurely 1 fps burst rate. From my experience, this makes the S110 far more capable for wildlife action sequences or sports where timing your shot is everything. The downside? The S110 has a shorter maximum shutter speed of 1/2000s (versus the G11's 1/4000s), limiting extremely fast shutter capture (think bright light and wide apertures). An important consideration if you rely on manual exposure or special effects.

In contrast, the G11 - while slower - has a more comprehensive range of exposure modes, including better support for manual controls. This invites photography enthusiasts who enjoy fully manual operation and deliberate, paced work. The camera's optical viewfinder may provide framing assistance faster than live-view in some situations, though at the expense of previewing exposure and focus accuracy.

Versatility in Photography Styles: Strengths and Weaknesses by Genre

To get a practical feel, I pushed these cameras through typical photography disciplines - portrait, landscape, wildlife, sports, street, macro, night shooting, video, travel, and professional workflows.

Portrait Photography

Both cameras support raw capture, enabling precise editing to complement improved color depth. The G11's optical image stabilization and fast-ish lens (f/2.8-4.5) deliver decent bokeh at 140mm equivalent, but the S110’s wider aperture starting at f/2.0 at the wide end lets more light in and gives shallower depth of field - great for pleasing background blur and softer skin tones.

The S110 also nails eye-detection AF (a new addition for 2012) better than the G11’s face detection only, helping keep eyes sharp even with slight movement. If portraits and casual studio setups are a priority, I lean slightly toward the S110’s more modern AF and lens speed.

Landscape Photography

Resolution-wise, the S110 with 12 MP has the advantage over the G11's 10 MP. Both cameras have respectable dynamic range for their sensor size and class (around 11 EV), but the S110's Digic 5 processing pulls marginally more shadow detail and retains highlights better, especially in challenging lighting.

Neither camera boasts weather sealing, so prepare for caution in adverse conditions. The G11’s articulated screen is a plus here, allowing framing from awkward angles (think macro shots on rockfaces or simplifying tripod use). However, the S110’s lack of articulation is offset by its higher base ISO for low light landscapes.

Wildlife Photography

Wildlife shutterbugs want fast and reliable autofocus tracking paired with quick burst modes. Here, the S110's continuous AF tracking and 10 fps burst rate easily outclass the G11’s one frame per second. While neither have long telephoto lenses or interchangeable optics - both fixed lens zooms max at 120-140 mm equivalent - the S110's faster focusing and shooting make it a more capable little wildlife companion.

Sports Photography

Similar story as wildlife - the S110 has the speed advantage both in autofocus and shooting rate. The G11’s slower bursts and AF make catching decisive moments nearly impossible for me during fast sports action.

Street Photography

Street shooting is equal parts discretion, responsiveness, and image quality. Here, the S110’s compact size and pocketability make it an ideal choice for stealthy shooting. Its touchscreen enables quick AF placement on fleeting subjects.

The G11’s heft may draw unwanted attention but offers a tangibility that some photographers cherish for deliberate framing. The articulated screen helps catch challenging angles, but without an EVF, you rely on the LCD, so glare could be a problem outdoors.

Macro Photography

The G11 edges out slightly with a 1 cm minimum focus distance versus the S110’s 3 cm. Its fully articulated screen is fantastic for critically composing close-up shots, especially in awkward positions. Both have optical image stabilization to reduce handshake, but I found the G11’s stabilization less invasive in close-range autofocus precision.

Night and Astrophotography

Neither model is a specialized astro camera, but the S110’s higher max ISO and improved noise reduction clearly give it an edge for night scenes. The G11’s maximum ISO of 3200 is limiting, and image noise becomes disruptive at higher ISOs. Both cameras lack advanced exposure modes (like bulb), restricting long exposure creative freedom.

Video Capabilities

Video is a relative weak spot for the G11, maxing out at 640 x 480 (VGA) 30 fps. In contrast, the S110 delivers full 1080p HD at 24 fps and 720p at 30 fps, giving it a meaningful advantage for casual video shooters or vloggers. Neither camera has mic or headphone jacks, but the S110 has built-in wireless for easier content sharing.

Travel Photography

The S110 clearly fits better in a travel pack given its size and weight. It also offers better battery life (around 200 shots per charge) versus the G11’s unspecified battery life but notoriously shorter endurance. Both cameras handle common media cards, though the S110 supports SDXC, future-proofing your storage card options.

Professional Use

For professional work, neither camera can replace a DSLR or mirrorless system. However, the G11 with its manual control dials and raw shooting still appeals to photographers who want a pocketable backup camera with decent creative options. The S110’s more modern processor and connectivity target enthusiasts who want lightweight gear with smarter automation.

Build Quality and Durability

Both models lack weather sealing and ruggedization, so they’re better suited to fair weather or cautious handling rather than brutal outdoor conditions.

Connectivity and Extras

The S110 includes built-in wireless (though no Bluetooth or NFC), which lets you quickly transfer images to smartphones or computers - a neat feature for the social media age. The G11 is strictly wired USB 2.0 and HDMI out.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Both feature fixed lenses with 5x zoom range; the G11 at 28-140 mm f/2.8-4.5 and the S110 slightly wider at 24-120 mm f/2.0-5.9. Neither supports interchangeable optics, so you trade versatility for compact convenience here. That said, the S110 offers a faster wide end, favoring landscapes and interiors.

Summing It Up: Scores & Recommendations

Canon G11 front Canon G11 screen back Canon S110 front Canon S110 screen back

After extensive, hands-on comparison, here’s how I see these cameras fitting various user needs:

• For Beginners and Casual Shooters: The S110’s touchscreen, HD video, and wireless features make it more appealing. It’s easier to handle, faster to focus, and better in low light. Its lower price (~$299 MSRP) is also attractive.

• For Enthusiast Photographers: The G11’s manual controls, articulated screen, and classic handling appeal to those who want tactile feedback and more deliberate shooting. Its RAW support and finer control in exposure and focus modes reward photographers who enjoy engaging with the technical craft.

• For Travel and Street Photography: The S110’s compactness combined with fast lens, improved autofocus, and higher ISO capability is a better fit. The ability to shoot fast burst series is especially useful on the go.

• For Portrait, Macro, and Landscape Work: The G11’s articulation and close focusing distance suit macro enthusiasts and portrait shooters seeking precise compositions. Its slightly more robust build feels reassuring for careful creative work.

• For Video Shooters: The S110 wins handily with 1080p recording and better overall video specs.

Price-wise, the G11’s initial (~$599) seems high for today’s used market unless you specifically want its classic controls and handling. The S110 is considerably more affordable and packs more modern features. Both cameras face competition from newer compacts and mirrorless systems, but still hold value as capable pocket cameras.

Final Thoughts: Two Cameras, Two Eras, One Question

The Canon PowerShot G11 and S110 represent different moments in compact camera evolution. The G11 celebrates mechanical controls and deliberate craft at the expense of speed and modern conveniences. The S110 adopts smartphone-like usability and processing improvements, giving you a nimbler camera with better image quality in tricky lighting and improved video.

Whichever you choose, you’re gaining a compact powerhouse that punches well above its sensor size - but remember, compromises (and charm) come with the territory at this scale. My advice? Handle them both if you can, and lean into what you prioritize - speed and convenience, or tactile control and articulation. For me, the S110 feels like a bright spark forward, but I’ll always have a soft spot for the tactile, dependable G11.

Happy shooting - and may your next compact be the perfect pocket partner on your photographic adventures!