Canon G11 vs. Ricoh GR: A Hands-On Comparison for Photographers Seeking Compact Power

If you’re chasing a compact camera that packs serious image quality and manual control - with some legacy charm thrown in - the Canon PowerShot G11 and the Ricoh GR stand as intriguing options. Both were beloved by street shooters and enthusiasts who needed more than smartphone snaps but didn’t want full-size DSLRs or mirrorless systems. Yet, they hail from different eras and design philosophies, making the decision between them about far more than just specs sheets.

After putting both through rigorous, practical testing - from portraits to landscapes, low-light to wildlife impromptu shoots - I want to share an in-depth, field-tested comparison to help you decide which is the better fit for your style and budget. I’ve personally tested thousands of cameras throughout my 15+ year career, so you’re getting straight talk rooted in solid camera evaluation experience, not hype.

First Impressions & Handling: Size Matters - But How Much?

Right out of the gate, these cameras feel like they belong to different bubblegum flavors of the compact category. The Canon G11 sports a chunkier, boxy build, hinting at its roots in an older generation of pocket cameras. The Ricoh GR is slim, sleek, and minimalist - closer to a modern street shooter's tool.

Here’s a physical size and ergonomics comparison to give you immediate context:

Canon G11:

• Dimensions: 112 x 76 x 48 mm
• Weight: 375 g
• Controls: Tons of physical buttons and dials, including a fully articulated 2.8-inch screen
• Grip: Pronounced and comfortable for long handling, though a little bulky for small pockets

Ricoh GR:

• Dimensions: 117 x 61 x 35 mm
• Weight: 245 g
• Controls: Minimalist, with a focus on simplicity, no articulating screen - just a fixed 3-inch screen of high resolution
• Grip: Slim and pocket-friendly, ideal for street photography or travel where every gram counts

The G11’s bulkiness might deter the 'always-on-the-go' crowd but offers more direct access to settings via physical dials, which is a huge plus for quick adjustments. The Ricoh feels more discrete and stealthy but demands a bit more from you in menu diving or button combos for some controls.

Control Layout and User Interface: Clubs for Thumbs or Streamlined Speed?

Manipulating the camera comfortably and efficiently can make or break your shooting experience. Both cameras aim for lots of manual control, but their approaches couldn’t be more different:

Canon G11:

• Loaded with external controls: aperture, shutter speed dials, several dedicated function buttons, and a clickable 2.8-inch fully articulated screen.
• Articulated screen makes awkward angles (like low or high shots) easier, especially handy for macro or vlogging.
• Optical tunnel viewfinder gives a more mechanical “analog” feel; however, it’s not very bright or detailed compared to modern EVFs.

Ricoh GR:

• Clean top plate with few controls focusing on essentials.
• Fixed 3-inch TFT LCD with a whopping 1230k-dot resolution - super sharp and responsive.
• Optional external optical viewfinder available, but none built-in.
• The minimalist approach means fewer clubs for thumbs but requires menu diving for some customization.

For the more button-happy user who likes knobs ready to twist and turn at will, the G11 feels like home. The Ricoh, on the other hand, embraces discretion and speed in a different way - less fiddling, more shooting. The lack of a fully articulated screen could frustrate some, but for the typical GR user, the big fixed screen suffices.

Behind the Lens: Sensor Size, Image Quality, and Lens Options

At the heart of any camera’s performance is the sensor, and here’s where things get particularly interesting since these two cameras embody two competing philosophies for compact shooters.

Canon G11:

• Sensor: 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor - compact by today’s standards
• Resolution: 10MP max
• DxOMark Scores: Overall 47, Color Depth 20.4, Dynamic Range 11.1 EV, Low-light ISO 169
• Lens: 28-140mm equiv., 5x zoom, f/2.8-4.5 aperture
• Optical Image Stabilization present
• Raw support: Yes

Ricoh GR:

• Sensor: APS-C CMOS sensor (23.7x15.7 mm) - significantly larger than the G11’s sensor
• Resolution: 16MP max
• DxOMark Scores: Overall 78, Color Depth 23.6, Dynamic Range 13.5 EV, Low-light ISO 972
• Lens: Fixed 28mm equiv., f/2.8 aperture, prime lens - known for sharpness and minimal distortion
• No in-body image stabilization
• Raw support: Yes

Real-World Implications:
The Ricoh GR’s APS-C-size sensor means massive advantages in image quality - better dynamic range, better color depth, and way better low-light capabilities. That’s especially critical when shooting landscapes, night photography, or portraits where clean shadows and highlight detail make the difference between a snapshot and a keeper.

The Canon G11’s CCD sensor, although solid for its generation, shows more noise creeping in beyond ISO 400-800 and has more limited dynamic range. However, the G11’s variable zoom lends it some versatility you don’t get with the fixed focal length GR lens. The optical image stabilization on the G11 helps keep handheld shots steady, especially valuable at longer focal lengths or in dimmer situations.

Composing and Reviewing Your Shots: Screens and Viewfinders

Having a good LCD or viewfinder is vital for nailing focus and framing. Both cameras here offer very different experiences:

Canon G11:

• 2.8-inch fully articulated LCD with moderate resolution (461k-dot)
• Articulating screen targets flexibility in live-view shooting and macro work
• No electronic viewfinder; provides a tunnel-style optical viewfinder that shows exposure and frame lines but lacks digital overlays

Ricoh GR:

• Larger 3-inch LCD, fixed, with high resolution (1230k-dot) - excellent for critical focusing
• No built-in EVF, but an external optical viewfinder is optional (purchased separately)

The articulating screen on the G11 adds creative flexibility, useful for awkward angles, low perspectives, or video recording (more on that later). The GR’s fixed, high-res screen, by contrast, excels in sharpness and clarity but can limit flexibility in composing shots off waist level or over crowds.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Tracking the Action

The speed and accuracy of autofocus matter tremendously across many genres, especially wildlife, sports, and street photography.

Canon G11:

• Autofocus type: Contrast detection
• 9 focus points with some face detection
• Maximum continuous shooting speed: Approximately 1 frame per second (fps) - pretty slow by modern standards
• Focus tracking and predictive AF absent

Ricoh GR:

• Autofocus type: Contrast detection
• AF points: Selective and multi-area available, though exact count unspecified
• Continuous shooting: Up to 4 fps burst, great for action capture
• No face/eye detection autofocus

While neither camera features high-end phase-detection AF found in modern mirrorless beasts, the Ricoh GR’s faster burst and more responsive AF system make it better suited for capturing fleeting moments. The G11’s AF is accurate but noticeably slower and less nimble in dynamic scenes.

Lighting Tools: Flash and ISO Performance

Dealing with available light and flash options come into play frequently for portraits, event shooting, and indoor photography.

Canon G11:

• Built-in flash with multiple modes (Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Second Curtain)
• External flash hot shoe available
• Max flash range ~7m
• ISO range: 80 - 3200 native
• ISO performance deteriorates quickly beyond ISO 400 due to sensor limitations

Ricoh GR:

• Built-in flash with limited modes (less detail provided)
• External flash compatibility via hot shoe
• Max flash range ~5.4m at ISO 100
• ISO range: 100 - 25600 native
• Superior low-light/ISO performance with much cleaner images at higher ISO, thanks to sensor and modern processor

For the cheapskate portrait or event shooter working in varying light, the G11 offers a traditional approach with versatile flash modes and good close-range coverage. The GR, while lacking some flash sophistication, is more forgiving in low-light thanks to the high ISO ceiling - meaning less need for flash in many scenarios.

Video Capabilities: Casual Clips or Serious Content?

Neither camera is primarily designed for videographers, but let’s see how they compare for those occasional videos or travel films.

Canon G11:

• Video resolution capped at VGA (640x480 at 30fps)
• No microphone or headphone ports
• Limited video codec (H.264)
• Articulated screen aids composing video at odd angles

Ricoh GR:

• Full HD 1080p video at 30fps plus 720p at higher frame rates (up to 60fps)
• No microphone or headphone ports
• MPEG-4 codec
• Fixed screen

The Ricoh GR is the clear winner here for anyone wanting even modest HD video recording capabilities. The Canon’s resolution and features date it severely in this regard.

Durability, Battery Life, and Connectivity

Everyday carrying and reliability factors matter if you don’t want your camera to hamstring your adventures.

Build and Weather Sealing:
Neither camera offers weather sealing or rugged features. Both require cautious handling in harsh environments.

Battery Life:

• Canon G11 uses NB-7L battery; official rating not readily available but roughly 200-250 shots per charge in my tests
• Ricoh GR battery life rated at approx. 290 shots, with real-world results a bit lower if using live view constantly

Connectivity:

• Canon G11: No wireless or Bluetooth connectivity - USB 2.0 and HDMI out for transfers/display
• Ricoh GR: “Eye-Fi connected” (supports Eye-Fi WiFi-enabled memory cards for wireless transfers) plus USB 2.0 and HDMI out

If wireless convenience is a must, Ricoh’s unofficial Eye-Fi solution gives the GR some edge for quick sharing without cables.

Applying The Cameras To Different Genres: Practical Shooting Insights

Portrait Photography

• Canon G11: Offers decent skin tone rendition via the CCD sensor’s color characteristics. The 5x zoom enables framing flexibility, though the smaller sensor limits bokeh capability. Face detection AF assists framing but can be inconsistent in busy scenes.
• Ricoh GR: APS-C sensor and prime lens provide crisper detail and nicer subject separation despite fixed focal length (28mm equivalent). Manual focusing and selective AF require more effort but reward skillful users.

Landscape Photography

• G11: Lower dynamic range and noise performance mean limited shadow recovery and highlight rolloff. Versatile zoom helps compose tight or wide shots but at the expense of image quality. No weather sealing means caution in tough outdoor conditions.
• GR: Excellent dynamic range and sensor size make the GR a sleeper champion for landscapes. The sharp prime lens ensures excellent edge-to-edge clarity.

Wildlife Photography

• G11: Zoom lens gives reach but AF speed and burst rate limit capturing fast-moving subjects. Optical stabilization helps telephoto handheld shots.
• GR: Faster AF and burst rate are helpful, but the fixed wide lens severely restricts framing flexibility for wildlife.

Sports Photography

• G11: Slow burst and AF tracking hinder sports use.
• GR: Better burst rate but fixed focal length and lack of tracking limit effectiveness.

Street Photography

• G11: Bulkier presence and slower autofocus make candid moments challenging.
• GR: Compact, quiet, fast enough AF, and discreet design make it street photography’s darling.

Macro Photography

• G11: Can focus as close as 1cm - excellent for close-ups, combined with articulating screen.
• GR: No dedicated macro mode or close focus, limiting macro photography.

Night/Astro Photography

• G11: Limited ISO performance detracts from night shooting.
• GR: High ISO capability and long exposure modes make it suitable for astrophotography with proper tripod use.

Video

• G11: Outdated low-res video limits usefulness.
• GR: Full HD video with slow-motion options is more useful for casual video creation.

Travel Photography

• G11: Bulk and shorter battery life detract from all-day carry.
• GR: Lightweight, pocketable, better battery life, and image quality make it an excellent travel companion.

Professional Work

• G11: Raw capture and manual controls provide creative flexibility but limited by sensor and output quality for professional use.
• GR: Higher image quality APS-C sensor and robust RAW files allow professional-level use for street and documentary photographers needing a compact backup or main camera.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: What You Can Grow Into

Both cameras have fixed lenses, so you’re locked to their respective focal ranges - 5x zoom for the G11 (28-140mm equiv.) and a 28mm prime on the GR. This is a big consideration:

• G11 offers broader framing flexibility for hobbyists who want to cover multiple scenarios without swapping lenses.
• GR demands mastering a single focal length - a creative constraint beloved by many street photographers who argue it drives better composition skill.

Neither supports interchangeable lenses, so your shooting style should align with the lens offered.

Price-to-Performance: Budgets and Value

As of their original pricing on announcement:

• Canon G11 launched around $600, now generally available for less on secondary markets.
• Ricoh GR originally priced closer to $970, reflecting its larger sensor and advanced imaging capability.

For photographers on a budget who want a versatile zoom and solid feature set, the G11 is tempting but shows its age in sensor tech. The Ricoh GR commands a premium but rewards with image quality and compactness more aligned with modern expectations.

Summing It Up: Cameras Scores in Overall and By Genre

Here’s a snapshot of the overall and genre-specific performance ratings based on testing and DxOMark indicators:

Final Recommendations: Who Should Choose What?

Choose the Canon G11 if:

• You want a compact with a versatile zoom lens covering 28-140mm.
• Articulated screen and abundant external controls matter a lot.
• You shoot a lot of macro or experiments with angle flexibility.
• Your shooting style is more casual or you’re a cheapskate looking for legacy charm on a budget.

Choose the Ricoh GR if:

• You crave the best possible image quality in a truly pocketable compact.
• You prioritize street, landscape, or travel photography where sensor performance matters.
• You don’t mind working with a fixed focal length lens to elevate composition skills.
• You want HD video recording and longer battery life.
• You appreciate a minimalist design with excellent ergonomics for quick shooting.

Wrapping Up My Verdict

The Canon G11 is a nostalgic and feature-rich compact that still has some life for photographers craving shooting versatility and macro fun. However, its small sensor and dated video capacities limit its appeal in 2024.

The Ricoh GR remains a classic, undeniably better in delivering professional-grade image quality and portability, making it a favorite among enthusiasts who value quality over zoom range and convenience. Though pricier, you get what you pay for - a camera that respects your craft.

Whichever you pick, you’ll be armed with manual controls and raw support, grounding your creativity. I hope my hands-on insights help you avoid frustration and find the camera that truly fits your photographic journey.

Happy shooting!