07 July 2010

the camera hunt is over.



after hours of research and forum reading and jotting emails to my favorite pro and not-so-pro photographer friends, i finally decided on a camera. but not without angst. deciding on a purchase like this can really take up more time and brain space than i care to admit. however i am thrilled with my new buddy. it is a welcome addition.


meet the canon powershot g11. yes, it's a point and shoot. and i'm okay with that. i honestly thought i'd end up with a rebel after everyone spoke up with rave reviews about their amazing rebel sidekicks. however, i took some good advice and thought long and hard about what i need in a camera. i realized i don't need an interchangeable lens or tons of manual settings. i am not going pro or pseudo pro any time soon. at this point in my life, i need a camera that i can whip out while benji is on the swing, as bread is baking, cookies are cooling or dan is skiing down a slope while benji sits on my hip. i need a camera that i'm not too afraid of. one i can carry around without much worry. one i can do drive-by shots with. i fell for this one because it basically has SLR guts in a point and shoot body. the control freak in me loves its fancy manual qualities (the only point and shoot with full manual control and RAW mode capabilities). yet it is still kick back enough not to need a lens cap. it does not go click, click as fast as your basic SLR camera would, but the shutter speed hasn't disappointed me yet. 

some other fabulous facts i already love about it...


01. the weight, shape and size of this camera feels just right in my hands.

02. the LCD screen is bright, large and maneuverable. (my mom could see it clearly without her glasses on.) it flips around so you can easily take self portraits or rotate it all the way around so you can close it while snapping shots with the viewfinder. i love that i don't have to smudge the LCD screen all the day long.

03. it shoots movies. and when you are going on road trips with an almost two year old, making movies is a must. as is knowing all the verses and actions to she'll be coming around the mountain.

04. i am a sucker for a pretty face and solid reviews. all the reviews i read (and heard first hand) were glowing reports. the guy who sold it to me even said, all the pros are carrying this model as their back up. 

05. this camera has been super user-friendly. the viewfinder spells out what every symbol and icon means, which is really nice when you don't have the user manual at the ready. plus, there are lots of ways to customize the settings to your liking.

06. dan fell for its durability right away and snapped dozens of self portraits with my cousin's camera to check out its accuracy. the camera is made of metal which means it can come camping and hiking and cow-tipping with us.

07. its high sensitivity sensor means it shakes less in low light and is keen on taking clear shots. i am the queen of blurry photos, so i'm excited to see how this baby works for me.

08. it's so simple, a stranger can use it. this is key. no one ever knew the exact formula to my old camera when we'd ask for a quick snapshot at disneyland and other such magical places. we have this awesome collection of photos featuring dan and me all tilted and blurry and heads chopped off standing in front of scenic vistas across the country. here's to getting us and the waterfall all in one frame.


searching for your own perfect camera? here are a few resources to check out.

31 comments:

katherine said...

Hurray! Glad that you found the perfect camera for you. : )

Johanna said...

I remember taking my first digital photography steps with my husband's (then: boyfriend's) trusty powershot … ah, good times! I hope you have lots of fun with it!

Unknown said...

hmm this might make the perfect birthday gift for myself this year :)

Anonymous said...

Ohh man I need one of those!

The Dragonfly said...

I have it's earlier predecessor, the G10 and I adore it whole heartedly. It fits in my purse, takes great photos, and makes me feel like a pro. It will be magic in YOUR hands!

kate reymann said...

Oh did you get it at Pictureline? I love that store so much. The people could not be nicer. Congrats on the new camera.

Hope you are feeling better and steadier; it's nice to see your new posts.

Hannah said...

My sister has this camera...well the older version. I've thought of purchasing it as a backup myself. It takes amazing pictures.

Congrats on your new gadget!

Emily said...

Awesome! Congratulations! I'm so happy for you - you'll love it. I have the G10 and can't wait to see what you do with the G11. ENJOY!

jeanette from everton terrace said...

I was also thinking about the Rebel but I like all the points you make about this one. Wondering how it is with macro. I need a good macro for my jewelry. I'll go see what it says about that. Thanks for cutting out so much of my work and congratulations on your new friend.

kdiddy said...

The Canon G cameras are VERY nice. Excellent choice!

Hil said...

Now you've got me convinced I need to sell my rebel and get this one instead! Great review... so glad you are happy with your purchase. It sounds like an amazing camera. Can't wait to see more pics!

Marisa said...

Ooh, thanks for this review. I'm very happy with my current point and shoot (Canon S5IS), but wish the photos had the crispness of a DSLR. It sounds like this gives that, without all the extra lenses. I will definitely look into it further!

chris said...

Thank you for your candid review. I will file this away for the time when my little canon is no more.

jen said...

I have a G11 as well. Love.

Enjoy!

Tiffany said...

I wish you and your camera many happy snaps together. ;)

Sarah said...

I have the G9 and love it. I think it takes great shots. I need to read my manual still so I can be a pro at the manual settings.
I agree with everything you said - I love i.

Abby said...

So glad you bought this one. Hopefully you can give me pointers on how to use it...I'm not good at practicing with mine!

Danielle said...

Just wanted to invite you to read my blog. Today was my very first post and I have you to thank (which I did). Your Blog & Business Workshop was the catalyst and inspiration that I needed to finally get over my fear/shyness and just do it. So thanks again and I do hope you stop by for a visit.

Piper Larson said...

Congratulations on the new camera. I've been on a camera hunt myself, and just last night ordered the Canon Rebel (because like you - I'd heard so much good about it.) Can't wait to see photos with your new camera!
XO Piper

Sue said...

I have a rebel I use when I'm 'practicing' photography but my G11 comes everywhere with me. You won't regret your purchase, it's a great camera!

Blog said...

I have been seriously looking at the same one! We lovingly refer to it as the "gleven." I can't wait to hear how you like it. I might just have to take t he plunge!

saraines said...

Best camara you can buy if what you want is to take it everywhere you go then this is perfect. great camera to have fun and at the same time take good quality photos.
very confortable camera.

brooke said...

One of my biggest regrets in life is buying the Canon Rebel. It is too much camera for me. I have no desire to learn all the bells and whistles (that I paid lots of money for.) The G11 would have been a much better choice for me. I'm so glad you were smart enough to figure that out. Have fun with it!

shopgirl said...

Great detail! Congrats on your new camera!

Kayla said...

Congratulations on your new purchase!

I've heard good things about this camera too and I know you will have fun with it. I can't wait to see your pictures on here from now on!

Kayla @ kdkq

colleen said...

great review and am glad you are back. I need a camera I'm not too afraid of, too, so will be checking this one out soon. Have fun clicking away.

ilene @ muchloveilly said...

i just got a rebel - but this one looks fabulous! will def. keep this in mind when i have the money to splurge on another camera. :)

kelly said...

did you take the firework photos with you new camera? If so then I think this the camera for me!

Ashley said...

This sounds like a great camera. I am an SLR girl myself, but would love to have this as a backup. So glad you found one that you love!

fannyathome said...

I totally relate with you Marta. I was in the same hunt and that camera was one of my choices. I ended up choosing the Olumpus Sp-590UZ which is point and shoot as well. And i'm ok with that too. Thanks for sharing!

Catherine at Design Editor said...

I have the same camera and love it. BUT...I'm finding the flash to be really harsh. I'm not a photography expert so messing around with things is limited to changing the ISO. I'd love to know what settings and shooting modes are working for you!

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