First – Where It Fits InDesigning cameras entails a series of compromises, as of course does buying cameras. When a company such as Canon sets out to make a new camera they need to balance a series of variables, including the intended customer and his requirements and expectations, price point, feature set, and performance needs.

Canon's G series of cameras have long been a favourite among photographers who also own DSLRs. The recent models in particular, because they offer a combination of features, price and performance that appeals to a broad audience. Coat-pocket ability, a decent zoom range, some manual controls, and an optical viewfinder.

The Powershot G11, which started to ship in October, 2009, continues that trend, but it does so in a new environment. So, before looking at the G11 itself and how it compares to its predecessor the G10, let's see where it fits into the current taxonomy of cameras.

This is now rapidly becoming the era of thesmall camera /...