Canon PowerShot G11 vs Nikon Coolpix S5100

      Canon PowerShot G11

      Nikon Coolpix S5100
      63
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      49
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Canon PowerShot G11 and the Nikon Coolpix S5100, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Canon PowerShot G11 was introduced in December 2009 and Nikon Coolpix S5100 was introduced in August 2010. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Canon PowerShot G11 Highlights

      • 10 MP 1/1.7-inch CCD Sensor
      • 80 - 3,200 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points
      • Image Stabilization
      • 2.80" 461k dot Fully Articulated Screen
      • Optical (tunnel) Viewfinder
      • 1.1 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 640 x 480 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Nikon Coolpix S5100 Highlights

      • 12.2 MP 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor
      • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • Image Stabilization
      • 2.70" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Canon PowerShot G11
      4. Advantage of Nikon Coolpix S5100
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Canon PowerShot G11 and Nikon Coolpix S5100.

      PROS

      Canon PowerShot G11

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      •   Video Capture
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/2000 sec
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 375 g (0.83 lb / 13.23 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Video Capture
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Light - 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz)
      •   Internal Storage

      CONS

      Canon PowerShot G11

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.1 fps
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 47
      •   Low Video Resolution - 640 x 480
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.2 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/1500 sec
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Canon PowerShot G11

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      •   Screen Size - 2.80"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 2.70"

      Advantage of Canon PowerShot G11

      Canon G11
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon PowerShot G11 over Nikon Coolpix S5100.

      Canon PowerShot G11 vs Nikon Coolpix S5100
      Larger Sensor 1/1.7-inch vs 1/2.3-inch
      Lower Native ISO 80 vs 100
      Higher Native ISO 3,200 vs 1,600
      RAW Support vs
      Multi Area Autofocus vs
      Continuous Autofocus vs
      Face Detection vs
      Maximum Aperture at Tele End f/4.5 vs f/6.6
      Min Macro Focus Distance 1 cm vs 2 cm
      Screen Type Fully Articulated vs Fixed
      Larger Screen 2.80" vs 2.70"
      Higher Resolution Screen 461k dot vs 230k dot
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 15 sec vs 4 sec
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/4000 sec vs 1/1500 sec
      External Flash Connectivity vs
      Manual Exposure Mode vs
      Aperture Priority vs
      Shutter Priority vs
      HDMI Output vs
      Orientation Sensor vs

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon PowerShot G11.

      Canon G9 X II
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      1-inch

      20.1 MP

      Canon G5 X MII
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      1-inch

      20.1 MP

      Canon G7 X MII
      Image cannot be found

      1-inch

      20.1 MP

      Canon G1 X II
      Image cannot be found

      1.5-inch

      12.8 MP

      Canon G1 X III
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon G16
      Image cannot be found

      1/1.7-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon G1 X
      Image cannot be found

      1.5-inch

      14.3 MP

      Canon G7 X
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      1-inch

      20.2 MP

      Canon G7 X MIII
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      1-inch

      20.1 MP

      Canon G15
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      1/1.7-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon G12
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      1/1.7-inch

      10 MP

      Canon G5 X
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      1-inch

      20.2 MP

      Advantage of Nikon Coolpix S5100

      Nikon S5100
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon Coolpix S5100 over Canon PowerShot G11.

      Canon PowerShot G11 vs Nikon Coolpix S5100
      Higher Sensor Resolution 10 Megapixel vs 12.2 Megapixel
      Max Image Resolution 3648 x 2736 vs 4000 x 3000
      Maximum Aperture at Wide End f/2.8 vs f/2.7
      Higher Video Resolution 640 x 480 vs 1280 x 720
      Built-in Microphone vs Mono
      Lighter 375 g (0.83 lb / 13.23 oz) vs 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon Coolpix S5100.

      Nikon S5300
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Nikon D3000
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Sony HX100V
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      1/2.3-inch

      16.2 MP

      Canon R8
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      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Nikon S5200
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Nikon D5100
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      APS-C

      16.2 MP

      Sony SLT-A57
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Nikon P610
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Sony a1
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      Full Frame

      50.1 MP

      Nikon D3X
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      Full Frame

      24.5 MP

      Sony H70
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      1/2.3-inch

      16.1 MP

      Sigma SD9
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      APS-C

      3 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Canon PowerShot G11 Nikon Coolpix S5100
        Video Capture
        High Native ISO3,2001,600
        Live View Autofocus
        Image Stabilization
        Built-in Flash
        Light375 g (0.83 lb / 13.23 oz)132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz)
      WEAKNESSES Canon PowerShot G11 Nikon Coolpix S5100
        Small Sensor1/1.7-inch1/2.3-inch
        Low Resolution Sensor10 Megapixel12.2 Megapixel
        Timelapse Recording
        Low Resolution Screen461k dot230k dot
        Low Video Resolution640 x 4801280 x 720
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Canon PowerShot G11 has a 2.80" Fully Articulated screen with 461k dot resolution and Nikon Coolpix S5100 has a 2.70" Fixed screen with 230k dot resolution. Fully articulated screen makes Canon PowerShot G11 selfie and vlogger friendly and generally very useful for video shooting.

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      Canon PowerShot G11 with Fully Articulated screen


      Optical (tunnel) Viewfinder on Canon PowerShot G11

      Canon PowerShot G11 has a built-in Optical (tunnel) viewfinder. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Nikon Coolpix S5100.

      Sensor

      Canon PowerShot G11 features a 10 megapixel 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 7.44 x 5.58 mm and a total area of 41.5 mm2. Its native ISO range is 80 - 3,200. Nikon Coolpix S5100 features a 12.2 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600.

      Photography Features

      Canon PowerShot G11 is equipped with DIGIC 4 processor and can take pictures up to 3648 x 2736 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3648 x 2048, 2816 x 2112, 2272 x 1704, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 with 4:3, 16:9 aspect ratios. Nikon Coolpix S5100 is equipped with Expeed C2 processor and can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3968 x 2232, 3264 x 2448, 2592 x 1944, 2048 x 1536, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480 with 4:3, 16:9 aspect ratios.


      Image Stabilization

      The cameras have a built-in [y] image stabilization.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      NFC on Canon PowerShot G11

      Canon PowerShot G11 has Near Field Communication (NFC) technology which simplifies the process of pairing it with other NFC-enabled devices like smartphones or tablets. It allows to quickly transfer photos and videos or remotely control the camera from compatible device. NFC can also be used for authentication and security purposes. It can verify your identity before accessing certain features or transferring sensitive data. It can be used with NFC-enabled accessories as well, such as lenses, flashes and GPS devices.


      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Canon PowerShot G11 comes with NB-7L battery pack and Nikon Coolpix S5100 comes with EN-EL10 battery pack.


      External Storage Slots

      Canon PowerShot G11 has a single SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus card card slot. Nikon Coolpix S5100 has a single SD/SDHC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Canon PowerShot G11, and up to 1/1500 sec on Nikon Coolpix S5100. Canon PowerShot G11 can shoot continuously up to 1.1 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 7.00 m on Canon PowerShot G11. Canon PowerShot G11 also accepts external flash which can be connected via Shoe Mount. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/2000 sec on Canon PowerShot G11.

      Physical Parameters

      Canon PowerShot G11 body has dimensions of 112 x 76 x 48 mm (4.41 x 2.99 x 1.89") and Nikon Coolpix S5100 body has dimensions of 97 x 57 x 22 mm (3.82 x 2.24 x 0.87"). Canon PowerShot G11 weighs 375 g (0.83 lb / 13.23 oz) and Nikon Coolpix S5100 weighs 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz).

      Canon PowerShot G11

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      112 mm

      76 mm

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      97 mm

      57 mm

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      76 mm

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      57 mm

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      Size comparisons of Canon PowerShot G11 and Nikon Coolpix S5100

      Canon PowerShot G11 and Nikon Coolpix S5100 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Canon PowerShot G11

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      AVERAGE
      59
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      POOR
      47
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Canon PowerShot G11

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.1 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor
      POOR
      54
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Wildlife Photography

      Canon PowerShot G11

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      AVERAGE
      63
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.1 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      62
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Portrait Photography

      Canon PowerShot G11

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      GOOD
      81
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.80"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/2000 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      57
      •   Small Sensor
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.70"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Street Photography

      Canon PowerShot G11

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      GOOD
      84
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 375 g (0.83 lb / 13.23 oz)
      GOOD
      84
      •   Small Sensor
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Canon PowerShot G11

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      EXCELLENT
      85
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 640 x 480
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 375 g (0.83 lb / 13.23 oz)
      EXCELLENT
      88
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Canon PowerShot G11 and Nikon Coolpix S5100 and give them scores of 63 and 49 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Canon PowerShot G11

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      OVERALL
      63
      OVERALL
      49

      Sensor

      Canon PowerShot G11

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      AVERAGE
      61
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10 Megapixel
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 47
      POOR
      45
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Canon PowerShot G11

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      GOOD
      72
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.1 fps
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/2000 sec
      AVERAGE
      62
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/1500 sec
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Video

      Canon PowerShot G11

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      POOR
      41
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 640 x 480
      POOR
      43
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720

      Focusing

      Canon PowerShot G11

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      AVERAGE
      66
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      55
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Canon PowerShot G11

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      GOOD
      74
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.80"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      POOR
      50
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.70"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Connectivity

      Canon PowerShot G11

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      AVERAGE
      57
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      BAD
      36
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Canon PowerShot G11

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      POOR
      51
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 375 g (0.83 lb / 13.23 oz)
      POOR
      49
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz)
      •   Internal Storage


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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