Canon G11 vs Kodak Easyshare M5370: A Hands-On Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

When digging into compact cameras from the late 2000s and early 2010s era, two models often come up with very different pedigrees and design philosophies: the Canon PowerShot G11 and the Kodak Easyshare M5370. Both cameras cater to the “small sensor compact” category, but they approach features, control, and image quality in markedly distinct ways.

Having tested thousands of cameras over 15+ years, including a deep dive on each of these models, I want to shed light on their real-world performance differences. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast eyeing a secondary travel camera or a beginner seeking easy point-and-shoot performance, my goal is to help you zero in on the idiosyncrasies that matter.

Let’s take a deep dive.

Size, Ergonomics & Handling: The Feel of Your Camera

Handling goes well beyond dimensions - it’s about how the camera fits your shooting style, the intuitiveness of controls, and the comfort during long use.

The Canon G11 measures 112x76x48 mm and weighs 375g, making it noticeably chunkier and heavier than the Kodak M5370 at 101x58x19 mm and a mere 150g.

This difference isn’t just about pocketability. Canon’s physical heft and bulk lend a solid, confident grip, especially appreciated when shooting handheld for extended periods, or when you need to reach in with more precision. The G11’s more pronounced grip and dedicated dials on the top (which we’ll discuss shortly) offer an enthusiast’s degree of tactile feedback and quick parameter access.

The Kodak, by contrast, is very compact and ultraportable - ideal for discretion and ease, but its lightweight body feels a bit plasticky and susceptible to flex under firm handling. For street photographers or casual snapshots, that might be just fine; for those looking for solid ergonomics, G11 wins hands down.

Control Layout and User Interface: How Intuitively Can You Shoot?

Turning to control design, the Canon G11 displays its enthusiast roots clearly - manual exposure dials, dedicated buttons for ISO, white balance, and modes like shutter and aperture priority mode. This is a camera built for users who want to push beyond full auto, to make creative choices on the fly.

The Kodak M5370, conversely, has a pared-down control scheme - no true manual focus or exposure modes, more like a point-and-shoot for beginners. Its touchscreen is a relatively rare feature for the time, adding some modernity, but the lack of manual exposure overrides limits creative control.

From first-hand experience testing in busy scenarios, I’ll say: If you want to shoot manual, prioritize flexibility, and enjoy dials and buttons over menus, Canon G11 is a clear winner. Kodak’s touch interface is helpful but can’t replace physical controls for quick adjustments.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Beyond Megapixels

Both cameras use CCD sensors, common in compact cameras of their generation, but there are crucial differences affecting image quality.

• Canon G11: 1/1.7" sensor, 10MP resolution, 7.44x5.58 mm sensor size (41.52 mm² area)
• Kodak M5370: 1/2.3" sensor, 16MP, 6.17x4.55 mm (28.07 mm² area)

At first glance, Kodak’s higher 16MP count is appealing, but that tiny sensor area spreads the pixels thinner, which generally leads to higher noise and less dynamic range. Canon’s larger sensor pixels on the 10MP G11 allow for better light gathering and superior low-light performance.

DxOMark scores back this up - Canon G11 has a respectable 47 overall, with color depth, dynamic range, and low-light ISO performance miles ahead of what you’d expect from a Kodak of this class (Kodak M5370 lacks official DXO testing but real-world use confirms its limits here).

The G11 pushes up to ISO 3200 natively (still noisy, but useful in a pinch), while Kodak caps out at ISO 1600, with more noise creeping in sooner.

For landscape and portrait photography, where nuanced color and dynamic range count, the Canon’s sensor is preferable. Kodak's higher resolution tries to compensate but is best suited to brightly lit scenarios.

Shooting Experience: Autofocus, Burst Rates, and Video Capabilities

When you need to capture fleeting moments - whether a child's smile or a bird in flight - the camera’s autofocus system and burst shooting really matter.

The Canon G11 boasts:

• Nine autofocus points with contrast detection and face detection
• Continuous AF and manual focus (a rare feature in compact cameras)
• Slow burst rate around 1 FPS - not impressive, but reasonable for its generation
• Basic video at 640x480 (30 fps), H.264 format (no HD)

In practice, the G11’s autofocus is decent for its time but can struggle in low light or with fast subjects. Its manual focus system is a plus for macro or portraits, where you want to fine-tune focus precisely. Video capabilities here are more a bonus than a selling point.

The Kodak Easyshare M5370, meanwhile, has:

• Simpler AF: no continuous or manual focus, center-weighted AF only
• No burst shooting spec, but likely slower and less reliable for action
• HD video recording (1280x720 at 30 fps), better than Canon in resolution, also using H.264 codec

If video is a priority, Kodak’s HD is an advantage. But for stills, autofocus feels uninspired without manual override or continuous tracking, limiting use for wildlife or sports.

Display and Viewfinder: Composition and Review Workflow

The Canon G11 offers a 2.8-inch fully articulated LCD with high resolution (~461k dots), enabling versatile shooting angles - handy for macro or awkward angles, and for checking images outdoors.

Kodak’s 3-inch LCD is slightly larger but fixed and limited to 230k resolution, making image review less crisp. Its touchscreen is handy, but color and brightness suffer under bright sunlight.

Interestingly, the G11 includes a bright optical tunnel viewfinder, which won't match an electronic or DSLR EVF, but provides framing assistance in strong sunlight or when conserving battery.

Kodak omits a viewfinder, so you’re tethered to the LCD for composing every shot, potentially problematic in bright light scenarios.

In short: G11’s articulated display and viewfinder make it more flexible in composition; Kodak’s touchscreen is helpful, but can’t replace physical control versatility.

Lens Characteristics and Macro Capabilities: Flexibility at Your Fingertips

Both cameras have fixed zoom lenses covering 28-140mm equivalent, perfect for travel, portraits, and moderate telephoto needs.

• Canon G11: max aperture f/2.8-4.5, with a close macro focusing distance down to 1 cm
• Kodak M5370: unspecified aperture (likely f/3.1-5.9), macro minimum 5 cm

In real use, Canon’s brighter lens aperture facilitates shooting in lower light, and the ultra-close 1 cm macro focus distance is fantastic for capturing fine detail - leaves, flowers, textures - with excellent sharpness.

Kodak’s macro distance is typical for compact cameras but less practical for serious macro work. Combined with weaker lens brightness, low-light macro suffers.

For enthusiasts wanting creative close-ups, the Canon G11 is more engaging.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Durability for the Field

Neither camera boasts weather sealing, nor are they shock or freeze-proof. They are compact cameras meant for casual to enthusiast daily use - not heavy outdoor conditions.

Canon G11’s metal-bodied build and heavier design give a greater feeling of robustness, insuring it fares better with daily knocks and ensuring durability over years.

The Kodak is lightweight but plasticky, less reassuring if you’re rough with gear or shooting in challenging environments.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity: Convenience in the Field

Both cameras use proprietary rechargeable lithium-ion batteries:

• Canon G11 uses NB-7L battery; battery life is average for compact cameras (~230 shots per charge in CIPA standards)
• Kodak uses KLIC-7006 battery with likely shorter life, partly due to touchscreen and smaller battery size

Storage-wise, Canon supports standard SD/SDHC cards; Kodak uses smaller MicroSD/MicroSDHC cards.

Neither support wireless connectivity (WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC), which for cameras of this era is normal.

Both feature HDMI output and USB 2.0 for image transfer.

Image Sample Comparison: What Do the Photos Tell Us?

Canon G11 front Canon G11 screen back Kodak Easyshare M5370 screen back

Side by side, Canon G11’s images exhibit more natural color rendering and better shadow detail, with smoother gradations on skin tones critical for portraits. Dynamic range extends well, retaining highlight and shadow details.

Kodak’s higher resolution yields sharper images under ideal light but introduces noisier shadow areas and highlights tend to clip more easily, leading to blown-out sky areas and harsh contrast under the same lighting.

In low light, Canon’s images maintain better clarity and less aggressive noise reduction, preserving details compared to Kodak’s muddy textures.

Specialized Usability Across Photography Genres: Finding Your Fit

• Portraits: Canon G11’s lens brightness, face detection AF, and manual focus provide better skin tone rendition and pleasing bokeh. Kodak struggles here due to limited aperture and AF.
• Landscapes: Dynamic range and color fidelity favor Canon, although higher Kodak megapixels may give a slight edge in crop flexibility.
• Wildlife: Neither camera excels - slow AF and limited burst rate on Canon, no continuous AF on Kodak.
• Sports: Canon’s single FPS burst and autofocus performance limit sports use; Kodak is even less suited.
• Street Photography: Kodak’s compact lightweight form favors discreet shooting, while Canon’s larger size makes it more of a statement piece.
• Macro: Canon’s 1cm macro focus and manual focus capability gives it a strong advantage.
• Night/Astro: Canon’s higher ISO ceiling and better low-light IQ make it preferable.
• Video: Kodak’s 720p HD video edges out Canon’s VGA, but neither is a modern video solution.
• Travel: Kodak’s portability weighs in your favor for travel light setups; Canon offers better image quality and handling at the cost of bulk.
• Professional Work: Canon supports RAW files and manual controls, aiding workflow integration and post-processing; Kodak does not.

Overall Performance and Value Assessment

In sum, the Canon PowerShot G11 delivers an enthusiast-grade experience - with manual controls, better lens, larger sensor, and versatile shooting modes. It excels when image quality and creative control are your priorities.

The Kodak Easyshare M5370 targets the entry-level user who values straightforward, compact portability and easy touchscreen interaction over control or top image quality.

Priced at $599 for Canon and $160 for Kodak (reflective of their original MSRPs), the value propositions diverge.

• If image quality and control matter most, Canon G11 remains a compelling choice on the used market.
• If your budget is tight, or you want something ultra-compact to slip in a purse or pocket for casual use, Kodak M5370 fits well.

Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Choose?

The Canon G11 stands out as a compact camera that truly lets you be a photographer - its manual dials, articulate screen, and quality zoom lens reward those who want substance over gimmicks. It’s best suited for enthusiasts dabbling in portrait, macro, and travel photography, who value creative control and the ability to adapt to varied lighting.

The Kodak Easyshare M5370 is more for the casual snapshooter wanting a simple “point and shoot” experience with some multimedia bonus of touchscreen and HD video. Its limited controls and smaller sensor, however, keep it away from serious photographic use.

If I had to carry a camera for a weekend of mixed shooting, I’d reach for the Canon G11 without hesitation. Dear Canon, please consider a modern update with your classic G series ergonomics and some WiFi thrown in - that would be a dream!

This comparison serves as an example of how older compact cameras still have roles depending on your needs versus budget. Avoid being dazzled by megapixels alone - sensor size, control granularity, and handling often make far more difference in the final image and enjoyment you get behind the lens.

Happy shooting, and may your next camera be the tool that inspires your photography!

For visual summaries and further details, see the sequence of integrated images depicting size, sensor, controls, and sample shots.