PowerShot G11 Technologies

Dual Anti Noise System

Dual Anti-Noise System The Dual Anti-Noise System represents a collaboration between the new High Sensitivity sensor and the high performance DIGIC 4 image processor. The area of each pixel within the new sensor is 45% larger than the sensor previously used (from 14.7MP in previous comparable products). When this factor is combined with the latest sensor technology the result is a marked improvement in signal/noise ratio. When used with the advanced DIGIC 4 Noise Reduction technology - which has been optimised for the new sensor - the overall result is a maximum noise reduction advantage of 2-stops. Put simply, the user will benefit from a noise level that’s as low as a ¼ of the noise produced from previous comparable products at the same ISO sensitivity. Alternatively the user can shoot up to an ISO sensitivity level 2-stops higher with the same noise performance. This leap in noise performance has allowed some significant changes to the camera operation:

• In Auto ISO: the maximum high ISO speed chosen by the camera has been raised to ISO 1600 (ISO 400 in PowerShot G10). This means that camera shake and subject blur is reduced when shooting in Auto modes in dark scenes.
• When using the flash with Auto: the maximum ISO has increased to ISO 800 (ISO 250 in PowerShot G10) thus extending the flash effective distance and allowing brighter backgrounds in dark situations with flash.
• Dynamic range: the dynamic range has been greatly expanded to a level approximately four times greater than the PowerShot G10. This means a great improvement in shadow details and reduction of highlight blowout in scenes with large differences in contrast.
• Low Light Mode: the shooting mode previously named ISO 3200 Scene Mode has been changed to Low Light mode with a number of enhancements. In a reduced 2.5MP resolution, the camera chooses from ISO between ISO 320 and ISO 12800 to enable you to shoot in darker scenes than ever before without having to use flash. In Low Light mode, the PowerShot G11 can also shoot continuously at a fast 2.4fps.

DIGIC 4

Canon’s DIGIC 4 (Digital Imaging Core) image processor manages all of the camera’s primary functions to optimize operating efficiency. Advanced image processing algorithms deliver superb image detail and colour reproduction with accurate white balance. High-speed processing results in outstanding responsiveness, rapid auto focus and extended continuous shooting ability.

DIGIC 4 also powers advanced Noise Reduction Technology within the Dual Anti-Noise System, i-Contrast, Face Detection AF/AE/FE/WB and Scene Detection Technology.

Optical Image Stabilizer (4-stops)

The PowerShot G11 uses a lens shift-type Image Stabilizer (IS) system to detect and correct slight camera shakes that can cause image blur. The IS delivers a 4 stop advantage for improved performance in low-light conditions, when shooting at the telephoto end of the lens and when vibrations are more severe. It also features increased sensitivity to low frequency vibration, such as the rocking of a boat.

Minute vibration gyros detect camera movement caused by hand shake. These signals – at 8,000 per second, twice the speed of signals in conventional IS – are processed to discriminate between hand shake and intentional camera movements. The IS unit moves one of the lens elements accordingly to re-align the light rays and cancel out the effects of shake. For improved accuracy and responsiveness, the moving lens element is supported on tiny ceramic spheres. In addition to minimising friction, ceramic spheres avoid some of the problems that can affect metal systems, such as thermal expansion and magnetism.

Enhanced i-Contrast

The improved Intelligent Contrast Correction technology (i-Contrast) now includes dynamic range expansion. Available in either shooting or playback mode, i-Contrast function analyses the exposure, dynamic range and other image characteristics of a shot, then adaptively increases the gain in dark areas – to produce heightened detail in darker regions, without blowing out correctly-exposed parts of the image. The noise reduction function of DIGIC 4 ensures minimal noise in adjusted areas.

ND Filter

The creation of certain photographic effects in daylight may require slower shutter speeds (e.g. motion blur effects in waterfall photography) or wide apertures (e.g. limiting depth of field). In some cameras this can be impossible, even with the lowest ISO settings. In the PowerShot G11, the ND filter is a physical disc that slides in front of the light path and reduces the light reaching the sensor by 3-stops (12.5% transmittance) allowing shooting at slower shutter speeds or wider apertures.

Smart Auto Mode with Scene Detection Technology

Available in Smart Auto mode, Canon’s Scene Detection Technology analyses the shooting scene by taking into account subject brightness, contrast, distance, overall hue and now face movement. The optimum settings are then automatically selected for each scene from a choice of 22 possible variables. A colour icon indicating the type of scene detected – and the lighting conditions of the scene - is shown on the LCD monitor.

Smart Auto mode gives users the reassurance that the camera will take care of settings and deliver great results - even when shooting moving subjects, backlit scenes, night shots, sunsets, and shots taken at very close range. Smart Auto mode also increases image dynamic range to reduce highlight blow-out when shooting bright scenes, reduces dynamic range to improve contrast in low-contrast scenes, and automatically enhances blue saturation for blue skies.

Servo AF/AE

As well as the existing Servo AF, PowerShot G11 now includes Servo AE which continually adjusts the exposure as your subject moves in the frame. When Servo AF activates, Servo AE will now also activate (depending on shooting situation) ensuring that the focus and exposure are locked onto the moving subject. In Smart Auto mode, if face movement is detected, the camera automatically initiates Servo AF/AE to track face focus and exposure.

RAW and DPP Capabilities

Digital Photo Professional is a Canon image browsing and RAW image editing application tailored to the workflows of professionals and high-end amateurs.

Sharing the same editing environment with EOS, it allows a range of processing options for the RAW files produced by PowerShot G11, including Picture Style, contrast, brightness, sharpness, noise reduction, white balance, exposure, tone and dynamic range. For these latest RAW compatible products lens correction tools are also included. These allow the user to correct RAW files from PowerShot G11 for lens distortion, peripheral illumination, chromatic aberration and colour blur.

Flash Synchro Speed Increase

In PowerShot G11 the flash synchro speed with internal flash is increased to 1/2000th sec. (when the Safety FE function is on). In previous models, fill-flash shooting in backlit scenes was limited to a maximum shutter speed of 1/500 sec, which could result in overexposure. With the PowerShot G11, flash synchronized shutter speed is adjusted automatically according to the scene.

As the maximum flash synchronized shutter speed is 1/2000 sec, even in the same environment (EV value) the F stop value can be set to a maximum of two stops brighter, making it possible to photograph even more distant subjects with the flash. Face Detection AF/AE/FE/WB, Face Select & Track & FaceSelf-Timer Canon’s Face Detection AF/AE/FE/WB system automatically detects up to 35 faces within a frame before adjusting focus, exposure, flash and white balance to ensure optimal results. It is able to determine which faces are intended to be the subject, instantly reverting to the partnering 9-point AiAF system if no face is the primary subject.

Face Detection can now detect faces on most angles, and incorporates Blink Detection technology, which alerts the user to portrait shots in which a subject’s eyes are closed. Face Select & Track allows the user to select a particular face to be the main subject of a photograph and track it, for the best possible results.

FaceSelf-Timer detects faces in the scene releasing the shutter in response to the appearance of another face in the shot – excellent for self portraits or group photos where the user wants to be in the frame.