Canon G11 vs Panasonic GX8: A Deep Dive into Two Eras of Compact and Mirrorless Photography

When comparing cameras, especially ones separated by technology generations and categories, the challenge isn’t just about specs on paper - it’s about what those specs mean when you’re out shooting, crafting stories, or capturing fleeting moments. The Canon PowerShot G11 and the Panasonic Lumix GX8 represent two different worlds in the photography universe: the decade-old enthusiast compact vs. a mid-2010s advanced mirrorless system camera.

Having spent years testing and pushing numerous cameras to their limits, I’ve had extensive hands-on time with both these models, and their contemporaries. In this detailed comparison, I want to break down how each camera performs in real-world scenarios across major photography disciplines, examine the technical nuances that define their capabilities, and provide actionable, expert-driven recommendations based on your shooting style and goals.

So pull up a chair - let’s embark on this photographic journey head-to-head.

Size, Handling, and Ergonomics: One Boxy Compact Meets a Modern Mirrorless Beast

First impressions matter, and the unboxing experience sets the tone for what’s to come. Let’s talk physicality starting with a side-by-side.

The Canon G11 is a quintessential small sensor compact, but one built to feel substantial in hand. It measures roughly 112 x 76 x 48 mm and weighs about 375 grams with its fixed 28-140mm f/2.8-4.5 lens. The G11’s chunky grip, direct control dials, and an articulated 2.8-inch screen make it a remarkably functional pocket camera for enthusiast shooters. The articulating screen is a nice touch - fairly versatile for low or high angles. The optical tunnel viewfinder, while a bit archaic compared to modern EVFs, is a handy option for bright daylight framing.

Meanwhile, the Panasonic GX8 is an advanced mirrorless offering a very different form factor. Clocking in at 133 x 78 x 63 mm and weighing 487 grams (body only), the GX8 has a rangefinder-style body with superior grip ergonomics and weather sealing. The camera’s dials give quick access to key exposure controls - the hallmark of a professional-grade shooter. The 3-inch fully articulated touchscreen has a high resolution of 1040k dots, which translates into a delightfully crisp live view and menu interface.

You can see from the top view comparison how the control layouts differ, favoring tactile dials on the GX8, while the G11 relies more heavily on button-presses and menus.

I find the GX8’s solid feel and intuitive dials more satisfying for long shoots or professional use, while the G11’s compact size wins points for casual carry and quick grab-and-go scenarios.

Sensor Tech & Image Quality: Tiny vs. Mighty

Size matters - especially when it comes to sensors. The heart of any camera is its sensor, and here we have a classic battle between a 1/1.7" CCD sensor and a Four Thirds CMOS sensor.

Let’s visually grasp the difference in sensor real estate:

The Canon G11’s sensor measures about 7.44 x 5.58 mm, just above 41 mm² area, delivering 10 MP resolution. It’s a CCD type, which at the time offered vibrant colors but was no match in dynamic range or low-light high-ISO performance compared to newer CMOS tech.

Contrast that with the Panasonic GX8, which boasts a Four Thirds sensor at 17.3 x 13 mm and 20 MP resolution, covering roughly 224.9 mm² - over five times larger in area. This sensor design coupled with the newer Venus Engine processor delivers significantly better dynamic range, better high ISO noise control, and more detailed images.

In lab testing, the GX8 scored a DXOMark overall rating of 75, with a color depth of 23.5 bits and dynamic range near 13 stops. The G11’s CCD sensor, with its rating of 47, struggles more in shadow recovery and noise at ISO 800 and above (its max native ISO is 3200, but usable ISO tops out at 400 if you want clean images).

In practical terms, the GX8 allows for crisper, cleaner, and more versatile imagery, especially in challenging lighting conditions.

Viewing and Composing: Optical vs. Electronic

Viewing your composition with precision is paramount. The G11 employs an optical tunnel viewfinder, which, while handy in daylight, offers no coverage percentage or information overlay and has no electronic augmentation.

The GX8, on the other hand, features a high-res 2.36-million dot electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.77x magnification - luxuries that dramatically improve composition, focus checking, and exposure preview.

Turning to the rear displays:

The G11’s fully articulated 2.8" LCD with 461k dots provides decent clarity and flexibility, but the screen’s resolution feels modest by today’s standards. The GX8’s 3" touchscreen boasts higher resolution and touch responsiveness - hugely useful for selecting focus points quickly or navigating menus.

From my experience shooting in bright sun or dim interiors, the GX8’s bright EVF and articulate touchscreen make tight compositions and focus adjustments much faster and less guesswork prone.

Speed and Autofocus: Precision and Responsiveness in Action

Autofocus performance is often the sticking point between cameras, and here the gulf between a 2009 enthusiast compact and a 2015 mirrorless beast becomes glaring.

The Canon G11 uses a contrast-detection AF system with 9 focus points and rudimentary face detection. It supports single and continuous focus modes, but continuous AF tracking is somewhat basic. The shooting speed is a leisurely 1 frame per second continuous burst, hardly sports-camera speed.

The Panasonic GX8 shines here - boasting 49 AF points, including face detection and selective AF with continuous tracking and post-focus options (allowing you to adjust focus after shooting, a nifty trick borrowed from Lumix’s advanced tech). It has a burst shooting speed of 12 fps, with electronic shutter modes pushing it to 1/16000s. Autofocus is still contrast-detection-only (no phase detection), but its depth and algorithmic sophistication make it snappier and more reliable in unpredictable action situations.

For wildlife or sports photography, the GX8’s AF system and frame rate are crucial advantages where the G11 simply cannot compete.

Photography Genres: How Each Camera Performs in Diverse Fields

With the stage set in specs and pixels, let’s drill down into how these two cameras perform across popular photographic disciplines.

Portrait Photography

Portraiture is all about flattering skin tones, smooth bokeh, and sharp eyes. The G11’s lens (28-140mm equivalent, aperture f/2.8-4.5) handles portraits reasonably well, great for casual use thanks to optical image stabilization and decent close focusing at 1 cm macro mode. However, the small sensor often leads to deeper depth of field even at widest apertures - meaning the background blur (bokeh) lacks the creamy separation favored in professional portraits.

The GX8 benefits hugely from its larger sensor and the ability to swap lenses - using bright primes like a Lumix 42.5mm f/1.7, you achieve luscious bokeh and subject isolation. The wider dynamic range preserves subtle skin tone gradations, and face detection AF locks on eyes accurately.

Both cameras offer articulated displays that aid shooting at awkward angles for flattering portraits.

Landscape Photography

Landscape photographers demand high resolution, dynamic range to capture shadows and highlights, and durable build for the elements.

Again, sensor size catapults the GX8 ahead with 20 MP resolution and more forgiving dynamic range, capturing sweeping vistas with lively colors and minimal noise.

The G11's 10 MP resolution is adequate for web or small prints, but dynamic range constraints often result in clipped skies or murky shadow detail. Moreover, the G11 lacks any weather sealing, while the GX8 has a dust- and splash-resistant body, making it a better companion on rugged shoots.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Here, speed and AF matter most. The G11’s slow burst rate and AF system make it unsuitable for these fast-action genres, bordering on frustrating in serious wildlife or sports usage.

The GX8’s fast 12fps continuous shooting and advanced AF tracking allow you to capture decisive moments, whether a soaring bird or an athlete in motion. The ability to use a broad range of telephoto lenses - up to 300mm equivalent and beyond - expands the GX8’s utility for distant subjects.

Street Photography

Discretion, portability, and low light performance define street photography.

The G11’s compact size and quiet operation, along with its articulated screen, can be advantageous for casual or travel street snaps. ISO sensitivity tops at 3200, with sonic limits at ISOs above 800 for noise.

The GX8, being larger and heavier, is less pocketable, but quieter shutter modes and better high-ISO performance up to 25600 (though practical use would be at much lower ISO) improve low-light shooting on city streets.

Macro Photography

Both cameras have macro strengths.

The G11’s close focus at 1 cm is impressive for a compact, helpful for close-up flora and textures without additional accessories.

The GX8 depends on lens selection for macros but supports focus stacking and post-focus modes - features valuable for precision macro work. Combined with stabilization and manual focus aids, it is the better choice for enthusiasts willing to invest in specialized optics.

Night and Astro Photography

Clean high ISO and long-exposure capabilities are critical here. The G11 maxes out at ISO 3200, but noise levels become intrusive above ISO 800. Plus, it lacks built-in intervalometers or modes tailored for astrophotography.

Conversely, the GX8 offers sensor stabilization, a max shutter speed of 60 seconds, and supports in-camera interval recording for timelapse. Its performance up to ISO 1600-3200 is usable with noise reduction - helpful for starry skies. The electronic shutter also enables silent shooting, useful for discreet long exposures.

Video Capabilities

Video is where the technological gulf really widens.

The Canon G11 shoots basic VGA video at 640x480 30fps - not exactly HD by modern standards and no audio input or advanced video features.

The Panasonic GX8 is a capable 4K video shooter at 30p or 24p, with 1080p at 60fps options, built-in mic input, and 4K photo mode allowing extraction of 8MP stills from 4K video files. It supports AVCHD and MP4. Video stabilization through sensor-shift tech is a boon for handheld shooting.

Filmmakers will find the GX8 a versatile tool, whereas video on the G11 feels more like an afterthought.

Travel Photography

The G11 shines for travelers seeking a simple, all-in-one zoom camera in a pocketable form. Its fixed lens covers a useful range, and weight is manageable.

The GX8 demands a bit more gear care and has a bigger footprint, but versatility is king - interchangeable lenses, weather sealing, solid battery life (about 330 shots per charge), and Wi-Fi/NFC connectivity for rapid sharing and remote shooting enhance travel practicality.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity: The Practical Stuff

Battery life often separates excitement from frustration on long shoots.

The G11's NB-7L battery ratings are modest, but actual runtime varies with LCD use. The lightweight design suits quick walks or day strolls but demands spare batteries or charging options for extended sessions.

The GX8 offers approximately 330 shots per charge, relatively average for mirrorless, but enough for casual professional use. USB 2.0, HDMI output, built-in Wi-Fi, and NFC provide ample connectivity for remote control or media transfer - a big comfort for busy shooters.

Both cameras accept SD cards, but the GX8 supports SDXC with greater compatibility for large files like 4K footage.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: For When Nature Throws Curveballs

The GX8 is dust- and splash-resistant, tough enough for light adverse weather - something landscape, wildlife, or documentary shooters will appreciate.

The G11, while solidly constructed, lacks any environmental sealing and is better treated as delicate equipment.

Lens Ecosystem and Expandability: Fixed vs. Interchangeable

The Canon G11’s fixed 5x zoom lens is a double-edged sword - convenience and compactness versus limited optical performance and versatility.

The Panasonic GX8 leverages the vast Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem - over 100 lenses and counting - ranging from ultra-wide to super-telephoto, fast primes, and macro glass. That flexibility alone justifies the investment for serious photographers.

Price-to-Performance: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

At launch, the G11 retailed around $600, while the GX8 currently hovers near $900. Given the GX8’s advances across sensor tech, speed, build, and features, the price premium is justified for users needing higher performance and flexibility.

For casual shooters or those budget-conscious wanting a capable pocket camera, the G11 still holds nostalgic and practical charm, but one should temper expectations for low-light and fast-action duties.

The Final Tally: Scores and Genre-Specific Ratings

Let’s ground our analysis with performance scores from lab and field tests:

Breaking it down by photography genres:

As expected, the GX8 dominates in almost every category except pocketability and possibly ease of use for absolute novices.

Sample Image Gallery: Real-World Visual Comparison

To round out this deep dive, here are sample images from both cameras showing portraits, landscapes, and low-light scenarios:

Canon G11 front Canon G11 screen back Panasonic GX8 front Panasonic GX8 screen back

Notice the clearly superior detail, dynamic range, and color fidelity from the GX8 files - while the G11 images, though respectable, appear softer and noisier in shadows.

Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Canon G11 If:

• You want a compact, all-in-one camera with simple handling.
• You’re primarily shooting daylight travel, snapshots, and casual portraits.
• You prefer a physical optical viewfinder with minimal setup.
• You’re on a tighter budget and don’t need cutting-edge video or speed.
• Portability and ease-of-use trump ultimate image quality.

Choose the Panasonic GX8 If:

• You seek a versatile, professional-grade mirrorless system.
• You need superior image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance.
• You shoot action, wildlife, or sports requiring fast autofocus and burst modes.
• Video recording at 4K and advanced features like post-focus matter.
• You want expandability through one of the best lens ecosystems available.
• Weather sealing and ruggedness are on your checklist.
• You’re ready to invest in a future-proof platform.

Closing Thoughts: A Tale of Two Cameras Across Time and Tech

The Canon G11 and Panasonic GX8 belong to different chapters of photographic history. The G11 embodies the last generation of high-end compacts designed to pack enthusiast controls into small bodies - a worthy tool in its era but showing its age today.

In contrast, the GX8 captures a leap forward in sensor tech, mechanical agility, and multimedia versatility. It epitomizes the mirrorless revolution that shaped digital photography in the 2010s and beyond.

Choosing between them hinges less on specs and more on your photographic ambitions, style, and workflow preferences. If you want a straightforward travel snapper or collector’s piece, the G11 still charms with nostalgic appeal. If you crave creative control, quality, and future adaptability, the GX8 is the clear winner.

So, pack your camera bag wisely - and keep shooting!

If you found this article helpful or have questions about specific photo types or lenses, drop a comment - I’m always here to share more hands-on insights!