Canon G11 vs Olympus E-M1 Mark II: A Hands-On, In-Depth Camera Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

Choosing the right camera isn’t just about specs on paper. It’s about how those specs translate into real-world performance, ergonomics, and image quality tailored to your shooting style. Today, I’m diving deep into two cameras from very different eras and categories that still spark interest among enthusiasts and pros alike:

• Canon PowerShot G11 (2009) - A compact with a small sensor but big ambitions.
• Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II (2016) - A pro-grade, mirrorless powerhouse with a sophisticated Micro Four Thirds system.

I’ve spent hundreds of hours testing both, shooting across all major photography types - from wildlife to macro, nightscapes to sports. This article blends raw technical analysis with practical experience to help you decide which camera suits your needs and budget best.

First Impressions and Physical Handling: Size, Feel, and Controls

Let’s get tactile: the Canon G11 is a compact camera designed for portability but with a chunkier body for its class. The Olympus E-M1 II, by contrast, is a more substantial mirrorless camera with an SLR-style grip and sprawling controls aimed at serious shooters.

Canon G11: Pocketable with Boutiques for Thumbs

The G11 measures a modest 112x76x48 mm and weighs only 375g - ultra-light and easy to stow in a jacket pocket or small bag. Its retro-styled body has a metal finish and a fully articulated 2.8-inch screen - a real boon for creative angles and vlogging. However, the small form factor means some clubs for my thumbs: buttons and dials are tight, and the tunnel optical viewfinder feels a little cramped.

Olympus E-M1 Mark II: Full-Size Ergonomics for Extended Use

The E-M1 Mark II’s body is larger at 134x91x67 mm, weighing 574g. It feels seriously solid and weather-sealed (more on that later). The deep grip and thoughtfully placed buttons make long shooting sessions comfortable, and the 3-inch fully articulated LCD has a higher resolution touchscreen that resonates well with modern workflows.

Control Layouts

Here, the Olympus really shines with lots of dedicated dials for shutter speed, ISO, exposure compensation - perfect for photographers who love tactile feedback and quick adjustments without diving into menus. The Canon takes a simpler approach, geared more toward enthusiasts easing into manual controls.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

When I evaluate image quality, I look beyond megapixels - we’re talking sensor size, pixel pitch, dynamic range, color depth, and noise handling.

Sensor Technology Differences

• Canon G11: 1/1.7” CCD sensor, 10MP effective resolution (3648×2736). CCD sensors of that era trade off low-light performance and dynamic range for rendition of certain colors and tonal gradations. The sensor area is about 41.52 mm².
• Olympus E-M1 II: 17.4x13 mm (Four Thirds) CMOS sensor, 20MP resolution (5184×3888). CMOS sensors, especially newer ones with back-illuminated structure and no anti-aliasing filter, offer superior noise handling, dynamic range, and detail. The sensor area is roughly 226.2 mm² - more than five times larger than the Canon's.

In-Practice Image Quality Results

Shooting under bright daylight, the E-M1 II delivers visibly sharper, cleaner images with richer color accuracy and punchier dynamic range, allowing me to recover shadows and highlights with more latitude in post-processing. The absence of an AA filter lends extra microcontrast and detail - essential for landscape and studio portraiture.

The G11, while still capable of producing sharp photos, struggles with noise above ISO 400 and delivers a compressed tonal range characteristic of older CCD-based small sensors.

ISO and Noise Handling

The Canon’s native ISO maxes at 3200, but usable output tops out around ISO 400 for clean results - anything beyond is mushy. The Olympus goes up to ISO 25600 and maintains startlingly low noise up to 3200 and often beyond with noise reduction software.

Dynamic Range and Color Depth Scores

On DXOMark testing, the Olympus scores 80 overall compared to 47 for the Canon - a substantial leap in image quality. Color depth and dynamic range are also markedly better on the E-M1 II.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Usability Across Genres

Guesswork or precision autofocus can make or break a shoot, especially in fast-moving or low-light situations.

Canon G11: Modest AF for Casual Shooting

The Canon uses contrast-detection autofocus across 9 points, including face detection but no eye– or animal eye AF. Continuous AF is available but works only modestly well for moving subjects -- top continuous frame rate is a sluggish 1 fps, frankly making sports or wildlife shots challenging.

Olympus E-M1 II: Pro-Level AF with 121 Points

Equipped with a hybrid phase-detection and contrast-detection system, the Olympus sports 121 AF points, including selectable modes for face and eye tracking. Continuous focus tracking and burst rates of up to 60 fps (in silent electronic shutter mode but with autofocus locked) make it a standout for sports and wildlife photography. The phase detection ensures quicker lock and tracking even in tricky lighting.

I tested AF in day and dusk conditions - the Olympus nailed birds in flight reliably, while the Canon occasionally hunted for focus in similar scenarios.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Ready for Adventure?

Durability counts big-time if you shoot outdoors or professionally.

• Canon G11: Solid compact design but no weather-sealing or ruggedization.
• Olympus E-M1 II: Magnesium alloy body with splash, dust, and freeze-resistant sealing rated to -10°C.

This means Olympus can withstand rougher, wetter conditions - crucial for landscape, wildlife, and fieldwork.

Displays and Viewfinders: Framing Your Shot

The Canon’s 2.8-inch fully articulated screen with 461k dots is a handy tool for creative framing and vlogging but lacks touch sensitivity. Its optical tunnel viewfinder is quirky; it provides basic framing but no data overlay or real-time exposure preview.

The E-M1 II’s bigger 3-inch screen is not only higher resolution (1.03M dots) but also touchscreen-enabled, helping you interact with focus points, zoom, and menus fluidly. The electronic viewfinder is a joy with 2.36M dots, 100% coverage, and a 0.74x magnification, providing what feels like a digital SLR experience with real-time histograms, peaking, and other exposure aids.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility: How Far Can You Go?

• Canon G11: Fixed 28-140 mm equivalent (5x zoom) with a moderate aperture F2.8-4.5 - versatile for travel, street, and general photography but with limited creative lens options.
• Olympus E-M1 II: Micro Four Thirds mount with over 107 native lenses available, ranging from ultra-wide primes to super-telephoto zooms (including Olympus's 300mm f/4 PRO and Panasonic Leica glass), plus adapters for legacy lenses.

This gives the Olympus a dramatic advantage in specialized photography - whether macro, telephoto wildlife, or professional portraiture. Plus, it supports focus bracketing and stacking for stunning macro shots, features the Canon lacks entirely.

Performance Across Photography Disciplines

Let’s break down practical use by genre - with pros and cons in each category.

Portraiture: Skin Tones & Bokeh

• Canon G11: 28-140mm range covers portrait focal lengths, but small sensor limits natural bokeh; CCD sensor produces slightly warmer but flatter skin tone rendering; face detection AF helps keep focus.
• Olympus E-M1 II: Larger sensor and fast pro lenses generate smoother bokeh; superb color depth yields realistic skin tones; highly effective eye AF ensures sharp portraits even at wide apertures.

Landscape Photography: Detail and Dynamic Range

• Canon G11: Limited dynamic range and sensor resolution constrain fine detail recovery; compact size handy but no weather sealing.
• Olympus E-M1 II: Greater resolution, wider DR, excellent raw support, and weather resistance make it ideal for serious landscapes.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus and Burst

• Canon G11: 1 fps continuous shooting and slow AF limit usability for action; small zoom range.
• Olympus E-M1 II: 60 fps burst (with focus locked), 18 fps with continuous AF, and top-tier AF tracking shine in wildlife and sports photography.

Street Photography: Discretion and Speed

• Canon G11: Small size and mute shutter (more or less) make it stealthy; limited ISO and autofocus speed hamper low-light candid shots.
• Olympus E-M1 II: Larger body but silent electronic shutter mode allows fast, near-silent shooting; superior high ISO and quick AF.

Macro Photography: Focusing Precision and Magnification

• Canon G11: Macro focus down to 1cm, which is impressive for a compact; however, narrow sensor limits detail.
• Olympus E-M1 II: Supports focus stacking and bracketing with compatible lenses; sensor stabilization greatly aids hand-held macro work.

Night and Astrophotography: High ISO and Exposure Options

• Canon G11: Limited high ISO performance; no advanced exposure modes.
• Olympus E-M1 II: High ISO up to 25600 with usable noise levels; long exposure modes; in-camera image stabilization helps pin-sharp night shots.

Video Capabilities: Resolution and Audio Options

• Canon G11: 640x480 @ 30fps max - extremely limited and outdated by today’s standards.
• Olympus E-M1 II: 4K UHD at 30/24p with good bitrate; external mic and headphone jacks allow quality audio recording.

Travel Photography: Portability and Battery Life

• Canon G11: Small and lightweight, easy to carry all day; battery life unspecified but generally modest for compacts.
• Olympus E-M1 II: Heavier but packed with features; 350-shot battery life vs. G11’s modest endurance; dual SD slots offer backup security - vital for travel pros.

Connectivity and Storage

• Canon G11: No wireless, Bluetooth, or GPS; USB 2.0 and HDMI out; uses a single SD/SDHC card slot.
• Olympus E-M1 II: Built-in Wi-Fi (no Bluetooth) enables remote control and image transfer; USB 3.0; dual SD card slots for overflow or backup.

Putting it All Together: Performance Scores and Genre Rankings

Canon G11 front Canon G11 screen back Olympus E M1 II front Olympus E M1 II screen back

The Olympus E-M1 Mark II dominates in virtually every metric except portability and initial cost, reflecting the evolution of camera tech from compact-CCD era to pro mirrorless.

The Practical Verdict: Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Pros and Cons Recap

Canon G11

Pros

• Pocketable and relatively lightweight
• Fully articulated screen good for vlogging or creative angles
• Reliable image stabilization for a compact
• Simpler manual controls for beginners

Cons

• Small, outdated CCD sensor limits image quality
• Slow autofocus and burst rate unsuitable for action
• No wireless connectivity
• Video capabilities are severely limited

Olympus E-M1 II

Pros

• Large and sharp 20MP CMOS sensor with excellent noise and DR performance
• Professional autofocus system with tracking, eye AF, and rapid burst shooting
• Weather-resistant, durable body with excellent ergonomics
• Fully articulated, high-res touchscreen and bright electronic viewfinder
• 4K video with professional audio inputs
• Extensive lens and accessory ecosystem

Cons

• Heavier and bulkier for travel/street casuals
• Pricier, which might be prohibitive for budget-conscious buyers
• No GPS or Bluetooth for location tagging and easy wireless pairing

Final Thoughts - Which One Wins?

Straight up, the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II outclasses the Canon PowerShot G11 on nearly every front, from imaging prowess to professional-grade features. The E-M1 II reflects the rapid advancement in sensor and autofocus technology from 2009 to 2016 and the jump to mirrorless systems.

That said, I understand not everyone wants or needs a heavy professional system - especially if you’re a cheapskate or a traveler who values pocketability over pixel count. The Canon G11 remains a charming and capable compact that can capture decent images in good light and is a sweet little companion for everyday shooting or casual use.

If you want to embrace serious photography with room to grow, invest in the Olympus E-M1 Mark II. But if your priorities are simple, compact convenience and affordable entry into manual control, the Canon G11 still holds nostalgic value and practical use in the right hands.

In my own hands-on testing - backed by lab measurements and real-world shooting - this comparison reveals not just how far camera tech has come but how each camera carves its niche. Choose the one that fits your photographic journey and enjoy making images tailored to you.

Happy shooting!