Upgrade to Canon G11 from a570?

[large_diver]

I've been using a Canon a570is with the Canon housing for the past few years. It is easy to use and has produced some great pics especially when you consider the relatively low cost (camera was <$500 new + $120 for Canon housing). It has also been a great above water pocket camera when I don't want to lug a DSLR around.

I just booked my first liveaboard trip (Red Sea - May 2010)....and am now thinking of upgrading to the G11 as a X-mas present to myself....a much better camera at almost the same price point as my a570. If I buy it for X-mas, it will give me some time to get used to it before the May trip.

I know it just came out, but does anyone here have any underwater experience with the G11 yet?

Thanks.

Chris

 

[Nemrod]

My 570 was 119 dollars, the other was 75 and the third was 17 dollars, two were new so not really the same price range.

However, the answer to your question is based on how you used your 570. If you have and use wet lenses, especially wide angle then you realize they will not function with the G11. If that is not a concern to you then I think the G11 would be a good move.

BTW, if you get the new FIX housing for an additional 500 dollars there is a wide angle port for it, a semi fish eye 130 degree FOV which might be pretty nice to have. FIX housing plus super wide port plus camera would run about 2,000 dollars. Reef Photo has a picture and description of the super wide port.

My primary reason for wanting to upgrade also from the 570 is in hopes of gaining useful dynamic range. I find it very difficult with the lower end P&S cameras to not have the highlights blow out but it is partly me also, my fault. Perhaps you have the same issue? The G11 and the S90 supposedly have greater dynamic range??

Good luck.

N

 

[large_diver]

Thanks for the tips. I think you're right on prices....I may be mixing up in my memory the cost of my old Oly 5050...

 

[scottfiji]

My primary reason for wanting to upgrade also from the 570 is in hopes of gaining useful dynamic range. I find it very difficult with the lower end P&S cameras to not have the highlights blow out but it is partly me also, my fault. Perhaps you have the same issue? The G11 and the S90 supposedly have greater dynamic range??

Good luck.

N

As you know, the S90 and G11 have a larger sensor than the A570. The g9 & g10 is rated to about 10 stops of DR on DxoMark, I couldn't find anything on the S90 or A570.

So I think you might see a slight increase in dynamic range, but I think your highlights will still blow out some of the time that is often user error, that happens to all of us.

 

[Nemrod]

As you know, the S90 and G11 have a larger sensor than the A570. The g9 & g10 is rated to about 10 stops of DR on DxoMark, I couldn't find anything on the S90 or A570.

So I think you might see a slight increase in dynamic range, but I think your highlights will still blow out some of the time that is often user error, that happens to all of us.

The OP may wish to see how the new FIX S90 housing works out.

Comparing the G10/11/S90 to the A570 which the OP has this diagram compares the sensor sizes. As you can see the G10/G11/S90 have the 1/1.7 size vs the 1/2.5 size for the A570. Yes, it (570) is smaller but it is insignificant compared to going up to the APS-C or M4:3 sensors therefore I conclude, being stubborn, that there is probably very little to be gained between 10MP in a 1.7 sensor vs a 7.1MP 2.5 sensor or by stuffing 15MP on a tinsey little bittsy 1.7 sensor. The only route to a real upgrade is to move up to the much larger sensor formats.

N