Canon PowerShot G10 has a special mode called Stitch Assist. You can reach it using the top dial (it looks like two windows next to each other).
However, this mode does not exist on the Canon PowerShot G11. Did Canon dump it?
The answer is no. It is hidden under the SCN mode. You simply need to switch the top dial to SCN. Then rotate the rear wheel till you see Stitch Assist.
The Stit
ch Assist mode allows you to take panoramic photographs by taking many pictures while placing them one next to the other.
Your camera helps you by showing the previous image to which you have to match the next image like a puzzle game.
The G11 has two Stitch Assist modes. One is for taking a panoramic photograph from right to left.
The other is for taking a panoramic photograph from left to right. It’s really a matter of convenience.
Choose the mode you like, simply rotate the wheel a little more to see the other mode.
When you complete taking all images of the panorama, load the files in your computer. These files have non-standard file names in the form of ST?_0000.JPG (for example: STA_1002.JPG, STB_1003.JPG, STC_1004.JPG, etc.). Load these files into PhotoStitch (a free software from Canon that came with the CD in the box).
PhotoStitch can easily connect or stitch all images into a wide panoramic photograph.
I will give further explanation about PhotoStitch in a future article.
Planning to take your Canon G11 to the pool? Wonder how your videos turn out?
Check these three video samples. Click HQ to watch in High Quality.
AUTiger published some amazing shots taken with the Canon PowerShot G11. Yet another record for this camera in underwater conditions. These are extremely sharp and detailed photographs.
“Exactly two months surgery on my collarbone where I got an extra piece of hardware, I returned to the sea. The LDS chartered the Great Escape out of Long Beach to Catalina. We went to the far west and and started diving on Johnson’s Rock. It was a great dive site – a rocky spire in about 105 feet of water. The top of the larger pinnacle was about 60 feet deep and there was a shallower pinnacle that topped out at about 45 feet.” (AUTiger)
See them full-size by clicking here.
This fly’s macro shot was taken as a test to check Macro Mode of the G11. Lighting conditions were not great. Shaded stairway outside. The G11 suggested ISO500 1/60 f2.8 for other shots at that spot.
That shot was taken using these settings: Focal Length: 15.673mm. Exposure time: 1/30 s. Aperture: F/3.5 ISO200. Camera was handheld, no tripod, no flash.
First photo is 50% crop of the original. As you go towards the 100% you see more defects.
Next is the 100% crop, and lastly the full frame.
The original wrist strap that comes with the Canon G11 may not suit you. There are plenty of alternative wrist straps available. One of them is the original Canon WS20.
Although intended for Canon camcorders, this wrist strap can be used successfully with the G11. It is very popular with G series cameras in general.
These images were taken by Mike B showing the Canon PowerShot G11 with the Canon WS20.
Keep reading to see what other people say about the WS20 wrist strap with Canon G cameras.
Usually when you take night shots, there is less detail in the photograph which results in a smaller JPEG. I’ve seen JPEG files upto 5MB in day shots JPEGs, but only up to 3MB in JPEGs taken during the evening or when it’s dark.
The screen capture to the left shows you the difference between RAW files vs JPEG files (taken using the highest setting L). Both images were taken together using the RAW+L option set to ON (which tells the camera to take both RAW and JPEG at the same time when you take a shot).
As you can see, the JPEG file-size average around 2 megabytes. The RAW file on the other hand average around 12 megabytes. This is six times bigger than the JPEG!
These file averages can help you calculate how much space you need when you have limited space on your memory card. These averages are usually lower for night shots but grow bigger as more detail is added to the photograph.
As you look at the files list, pay attention to the type of the file. CR2 files are RAW files almost untouched, where JPG files are images processed and down-sized by the camera.
The Canon G11 is equipped with hotshoe, which means you can attach an external flash to get more illumination for your photographs.
This comparison was made by Jerrich taking the same photograph with and without the Canon 270EX flash. The other photograph was taken under window light.
Can you guess which is which?
So what is Safety Shift in the Canon G11 (and some other Canon cameras) ?
Safety Shift works in both AV and TV mode. AV stands for Aperture Value and TV stands for Time Value.
In each camera mode you can set either the Aperture value or the Shutter speed value. Since these values depend on each other, your Canon G11 can automatically choose for you the best aperture value or shutter speed value that corresponds the best with the value that you chose.
AV mode – You select the aperture value. The camera chooses the shutter speed value.
TV mode – You select the shutter speed value. The camera chooses the aperture value.
However, it is not that simple. Photographs you take are effected by the conditions outside. Whether it’s sunny, cloudy or dark. Sometimes the value you choose cannot be compensated by the corresponding value. In these situations you will see the value you selected displayed in orange color. This means, you must change the value or else your photograph turns out wrong (burned out or too dark).
This is where Safety Shift plays its role. When you enable Safety Shift, your camera automatically modifies the value you selected so the photograph turns the way it should be.
Keep on reading to see how it’s done.
Two video samples of boats in Japan. Demonstration of the video mode in Canon PowerShot G11.
Here’s a quick tip for reducing wind noises when you shoot videos in Video Mode using your Canon G11 camera.
While in Video Mode do the following:
1. Click MENU button
2. Browse to Wind Filter (under camera tab) and select ON.
This will suppress noises when the wind is strong. Remember to follow the above steps to turn the Wind Filter back OFF after you’re done filming.
Using the Wind Filter when there’s no wind around, may result with unnatural sounds. The Wind Filter is only available in Video Mode.
Here’s a video test in Singapore Harbor taken with a Canon G11.
Click HQ to watch in High Quality
Video seems to be stretched or cropped.
The Canon PowerShot G11 comes with a neck strap. However, it may not be the thing that you’ve been looking for.
Here’s a homemade one made by ajuett:
“I bought a LowePro 60 AW today for my G11. The strap that came with the bag is too thin for my liking. The strap that came with my G11 was a bit overkill. So with a little compromise, sewing and thinking (the latter is unusual) I made a strap from the LowePro bag to fit the G11. I added the plastic slide to tighten the strap around my wrist as well.” (ajuett)
Daimaou from Akihabara News Japan published a quick review accompanied with an image sample gallery.
“Already quite impressive the G10 was highly recommended, but now we would even push things on saying that the G11 is a “Must Have” for any serious photographer who want to carry something “light” along with them… Capable to offer great picture in a compact body the G11 is really impressive, but if the G11 is still too “bulky” for you, you should then consider another camera the S90 from Canon that happen to features the G11 sensor and many of its new and improved features.” (daimaou)
