Which is a better camera for low light and modeling: Sony A77 or Canon G11?

Wow, you're comparing a77 to G11. Those are completely different worlds :) It's like a bike and a ferrari.

a77 is sort of a DSLR on steroids, G11 is a little point and shoot.

a77 is excellent, but you also have Canon EOS T2i, T3i, 60D, 7D and Nikon D5100 and D7000 as alternatives, some are better, some slightly worse. They all beat G11 at everything except for being able to put the camera into your pocket.

Even with the cheapest DSLR you will be taking many steps forward.

Here's a DSLR Buying Guide - http://www.the-dslr-photographer.com/2009/11/which...

It's also a matter of what lens you're using and whether or not you know how to operate both camera and lens. A Canon dslr with a 50mm f/1.8 will work well in lower light - not dark (no camera operates well in darkness).

So then it also becomes a question what do you know about lighting? Do you have extra lighting?

Are you willing to take the time to experiment with a dslr in these low light situations? Are you willing to learn the controls for best results? If so a dslr in the answer.

I'm a Canon owner and I always recommend what I own and therefore know. The t1i, t2i or t3i are all excellent cameras but, as I wrote above, the lens you use will be an important consideration.

Canon PowerShot G11 10MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle Optical Stabilized Zoom

http://goo.gl/wJBL8

The G Series comes full circle. You asked, and Canon not only listened, but delivered big-time. Advanced amateurs who have overwhelmingly embraced the G Series will be delighted with PowerShot G11, which features RAW mode for unlimited editing options, a 28mm wide-angle lens, and a 2.8-inch Vari-Angle PureColor System LCD. Add to that Canon’s new High Sensitivity System and high-speed ISO for incredible image quality, and Canon’s top-range compact digital camera is a truly groundbreaking successor.

the Canon G11 is a point and shoot

the A77 is a semipro DSLR. You will see that your image quality and low light handling will skyrocket

Canon has greater useful lenses i think of then Nikon -- i take advantage of a 5d Mark III as my familiar yet flow with finished physique in case you could... wait. wait. I merely observed which you're greater into action picture. Will you be taking pictures in low mild? If, so flow with finished physique yet while no longer flow with the greater helpful factors of the action picture factor -- of the different 2 options.