Fujifilm Finepix F50fd vs Canon SD850IS

[soccerballtux]

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canonsd850is/
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilmf50fd/

Can someone tell me which of these two has better image quality?
I've been looking at the various pics over and over and I'm really feeling better about the Canon. For instance, take a look at this pic from the fuji:
http://dpreview-img.fotki.com/gallery/fujif50fd_samples/originals/dscf3097.jpg
In the conclusion for the F50fd they mentioned in the cons: "Some noise reduction artifacts visible at 100% even at ISO 100". That's what I'm thinking this is, looks like the Fuji's DSP is doing some convolution/running average filtering.

However, it appears less noticeable here:
http://dpreview-img.fotki.com/gallery/fujif50fd_samples/originals/dscf6414.jpg

Could someone look through the samples (in the drop down box at the top) and confirm that I'm not just seeing this? The Canon seems to have more consistent image quality, less convolution.

I'm thinking the Canon would be the better choice. The preset color modes are much better on the Canon too. Seems like the only thing the Fuji has going for it is high ISO performance. Having trouble deciding if that's worth putting up with the DSP (even though that's only noticeable in long distance shots). Thoughts?

 

[andylawcc]

I have the Fuji, and certainly it is not as "user-friendly" as canon, but again, who is, Canon is top notch in the that department. There's more things to fiddle with in the Fuji, and I haven't perfect that yet. It's kinda like driving an auto versus a manual that you have to know when and where to shift, and the end result is a more satisfying adventure.

here I got some pics available, but not a whole lot

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25554646@N06/

the bottom fews are from the Fuji, the top few are from the Olympus. Ignore the first one

 

[soccerballtux]

for an even better example of what I'm referring to (scroll down to the pictures of hair),
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilmf50fd/page6.asp
vs
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canonsd850is/page4.asp

ISO100 on the Fuji looks just like 200 which looks like 400. But the canon's 200 looks almost as good as the Fuji's 100, and the canon's 100 is most definitely better than the Fuji's 100. In my opinion. Right?

 

[ElFenix]

looking at those crops i'd consider 200 the highest usable sensitivity for the canon and 400 the highest for the fuji.

 

[punchkin]

Would the A650 IS be too big? Because it would offer more manual control and even better image quality. The sensor on it is over twice as big as the SD850IS IIRC.

 

[soccerballtux]

Well, that costs 50% more. I'll look into it but mom is buying it for me and while she's willing to pay $300 I'd rather her not.
I think I'm going to go with the SD850IS; it's clear now that the Fuji is doing some nasty convolution even at ISO100 where it shouldn't need it. Still looks noisy too.
Since most photography is done at ISO400 or less, I don't see a reason to get the Fuji, since this is the only area where it shines.

 

[punchkin]

Originally posted by: soccerballtux
Well, that costs 50% more. I'll look into it but mom is buying it for me and while she's willing to pay $300 I'd rather her not.
I think I'm going to go with the SD850IS; it's clear now that the Fuji is doing some nasty convolution even at ISO100 where it shouldn't need it. Still looks noisy too.
Since most photography is done at ISO400 or less, I don't see a reason to get the Fuji, since this is the only area where it shines.

Gotcha. Well, I'd check out the A590IS too:
http://www.dpreview.com/review...Ccanon_a590is&show=all

It can be had for around $150, and IMO the A series is more comfortable to hold because of the mini-grip and the general shape. It is only slightly bigger and heavier, which again to me is actually a little bit of a plus. It also takes AA batteries, which can be nice-- if you're on a trip and something happens to your rechargeables, you can buy replacements in any store.

Both of these should be supported by CHDK now or in the near future, and using RAW will help to give better higher-ISO results. I think either is a fine choice, but I would choose the A590IS due to more manual control (Av mode, for example), ergonomics, and value. With the $100 savings you can get yourself a couple of SDHC cards and a nice bag.

I bought my wife the f50fd and it does give nice results at ISO 400 in some situations, but it's just not my style. There's no getting rid of the noise reduction the camera applies, and the usability just isn't there for me.

 

[soccerballtux]

I will get that A590IS. I don't see a large difference between it and the SD850IS.

I completely agree on the F50fd.

Thanks for the help.

 

[punchkin]

Originally posted by: soccerballtux
I will get that A590IS. I don't see a large difference between it and the SD850IS.

I completely agree on the F50fd.

Thanks for the help.

Can you recommend a place to get bags online for this camera?

You're welcome. I think the PSC-85 case would be a good choice for around ten bucks, if you want a snug-fitting case. I bought the Rezo 50 ($15 shipped for me with Amazon Prime) for my G9, a bag which is only slightly bigger width- and height-wise, but is also thicker due to the presence on the front of an extra pouch for holding cards and batteries-- but I mainly got that bag because I was worried the G9 wouldn't physically fit well into the PSC-85.

I don't know to what extent you can put extra batteries into something like the PSC-85 with an A590IS inside, and I couldn't find out with a quick search. If I had an A590IS and wanted a fairly slim case, though, I'd probably get that one.

If you can wait, it might be your best option to just hit the local camera store and see what they've got, especially if you can resist sales pressure long enough to double-check pricing online.

 

[soccerballtux]

Doh, replied faster than I could yank it. I was just thinking I'd go look for myself to see if the bags list which cameras they will house snugly, and then post back if I couldn't find anything.

Thanks for the recommendation.
Camera store sounds best so I can make sure batteries fit inside it too.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: punchkin
Both of these should be supported by CHDK now or in the near future, and using RAW will help to give better higher-ISO results.

have you used it? I wasn't too impressed on the output, but completely forgot to consider noise reduction benefits.

I have an SD1000 I inherited from my father, and I believe that is supported.

And yes, the A series is better to hold IMO... I'm torn on selling the SD1000 to get an A590IS. I can't figure out for myself if the size benefit is worth it since I use a case anyway these days. Or suck it up and keep trying to save for a G9, haha

 

[punchkin]

Originally posted by: randomlinh
have you used it? I wasn't too impressed on the output, but completely forgot to consider noise reduction benefits.

No, I just looked at it when I was considering the A590IS, A650IS and G9 (and since I bought the G9, I don't need it). I thought you could transform the files to DNG and just take it from there. I know Canon's in-camera processing can be very good, but I am also pretty good at processing from RAW at this point (but that's using Adobe Camera Raw, which I understand is not the best for some purposes).