Canon G11 has a
10.0MP 1/1.7-inch (7.44 x 5.58 mm ) sized CCD sensor and features Digic 4 processor. On the other hand, Canon G7 X has a
20.0MP 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor and features DIGIC 6 processor.
Canon G7 X's sensor provides 10MP more than Canon G11's sensor, which gives a significant advantage in real life. You can print your images larger or crop more freely.
On the other hand, please keep in mind that Max sensor resolution is not the only determinant of resolving power. Factors such as the optical elements, low pass filter, pixel size and sensor technology also affects the final resolution of the captured image.
Below you can see the G11 and G7 X sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Canon G11 and Canon G7 X Cameras
As seen above, Canon G7 X has a 2.8x Larger sensor area than Canon G11. Larger sensors give photographer more control on the depth of field and blurry background compared to smaller sensor when shot in same focal length and aperture.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
DxOMark is a benchmark that scientifically assesses image quality of camera sensors. It scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Canon G11 and Canon G7 X sensors have been tested by DxO and the results show that G7 X has a better overall score of 71, 24 points higher compared to G11's score of 47.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Canon G11
47
20.4 bits
11.1 Evs
169 ISO
Canon G7 X
71
23.0 bits
12.7 Evs
556 ISO
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Canon G11
or the
Canon G7 X ,
including hyperfocal distance.
One thing to watch when comparing these two: they have different sensor sizes
(1/1.7-inch versus 1″ ),
so compare them at the same framing rather than the same focal length.
Put the same focal length on the smaller sensor and it will show less depth of
field, not more, because it also crops tighter. The calculator shows the
full frame equivalent focal length for each body so you can match the framing.