Help select between 2 P&S cameras

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A

amol

Lifer
Jul 8, 2001
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I need a camera for "everyday use" for everyone in my family. I have a DSLR, so I don't need something that will take the best of best shots, since I'll just use my Rebel XT.

That being said, both these cameras (FinePix F40fd and Powershot SD800IS) are about the same price and the same size.

The SD800IS has a 7.1MP, wide-angle 28-105mm lens, 3.8x optical zoom, goes to ISO 1600, and of course, has IS.

The F40fd on the other hand, has one more megapixel at 8.3MP, has a normal lens with 3.0x optical zoom, goes to ISO 2000. It has "Picture Stabilization" but not "IS".

Any advice? I'm looking to buy so that I have it before next Saturday ...
 
ElFenix

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
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the powershot's high ISO blows. the fuji's ISO 1600 is roughly equivalent to the SD800's ISO 400. that's two stops, which is about what you'd get out of the mechanical image stabilization on the SD. using a faster shutter speed (which is what a higher ISO allows for, say from 1/15th to 1/60th) stops not only blurring due to camera shake but also due to subject movement. mechanical IS only stops blur due to camera shake. so, you would get 1/15th of a second of subject blur, which could be what you are after. with the fuji, you'd use a tripod to achieve that effect.
 
ElFenix

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
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Originally posted by: Amol
so fuji has low noise on ISO 1600?
Click to expand...

lower noise, there is still a good bit. i'd say 200 is the max useful on the SD800 and 800 the max on the fuji. a few passes of unsharp mask in photoshop might make something useful out of 1600 on the fuji as it seems there is still a good amount of fine detail.

review of the F31fd. you might just want to get that one instead of the 40. the extra 2 mp likely hurts image quality more than helps and it's bound to be cheaper (though, the F40 takes SD cards which are cheaper than the xD cards that the F31 takes).

note in the comparison section how muddy the SD800 gets

now if only fuji would put in mechanical image stabilization, then you'd have a 4 stop advantage over a regular p&s :Q
 
A

amol

Lifer
Jul 8, 2001
11,680
3
81
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: Amol
so fuji has low noise on ISO 1600?
Click to expand...
review of the F31fd. you might just want to get that one instead of the 40. the extra 2 mp likely hurts image quality more than helps and it's bound to be cheaper (though, the F40 takes SD cards which are cheaper than the xD cards that the F31 takes).
Click to expand...

the main reason i want the f40fd and not that f31fd is because of the SD slot the f40fd has.

hmm, many people i know have been saying get the Canon. looks like i'll have to find a store that carries both cameras (the f40fd just came out ...) and look at them next to each other ...
 
vi edit

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
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I've got an SD800IS sitting right in front of me. It's a well built, easy to use little camera. Battery life is very good, and startup and shutter lag times are excellent.

That said, I'm really not happy with it when it comes to noise, and the flash on it is horrible. But I think that's just a function of it being an ultra-compact, high megapixel camera. If you set it to auto it will completely jack the ISO into unusable levels. When you set it to ISO 80 the pictures are great, but at that point even the IS can't help you in low light situations.

I'm just sort of spoiled having a DSLR to use, so take my opinion with a grain of salt.

For most people they are happy with the results of the SD800. I just am sensitive to it's shortcomings. But again, that's the case with most cameras in the class.
 
A

amol

Lifer
Jul 8, 2001
11,680
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81
I

IeraseU

Senior member
Aug 25, 2004
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First forget the megapixel difference. No one can tell the difference between 7.1 and 8 MP. Taking that out of the equation you are left with the Canon advantages of wider angle 28mm, and IS vs the Fuji advantage of better high ISO performance. Ok, high ISO performance is good for shooting motion in low light without flash (concert, sports, ect). No P&S will do that well anyway, you'd really need a specialized kit with a DSLR and fast lens. Therefore I'd prefer the Canon's wider angle 28mm and IS (good for reducing camera shake while shooting without flash at slow shutter speeds) since it offers more tangible benefits. You *will* notice having a wider angle, and you will notice IS improving your low shutter speed/non-flash shots of static objects.
 
A

amol

Lifer
Jul 8, 2001
11,680
3
81
Originally posted by: IeraseU
First forget the megapixel difference. No one can tell the difference between 7.1 and 8 MP. Taking that out of the equation you are left with the Canon advantages of wider angle 28mm, and IS vs the Fuji advantage of better high ISO performance. Ok, high ISO performance is good for shooting motion in low light without flash (concert, sports, ect). No P&S will do that well anyway, you'd really need a specialized kit with a DSLR and fast lens. Therefore I'd prefer the Canon's wider angle 28mm and IS (good for reducing camera shake while shooting without flash at slow shutter speeds) since it offers more tangible benefits. You *will* notice having a wider angle, and you will notice IS improving your low shutter speed/non-flash shots of static objects.
Click to expand...

Wow, I didn't think of it that way. Great advice, man, thanks! :)
 
funboy6942

funboy6942

Lifer
Nov 13, 2001
15,368
418
126
Originally posted by: Amol
Originally posted by: 0
Panasonic-DMC-FX07A ftw.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-FX0...ef=dp_variations_2/002-6378521-2608053
Click to expand...

Why FTW?

What I've experienced with Panasonics is that they suck in low light.
Click to expand...

Really? I have taken many low light pics with my FZ5, that is 3+ years old, and would only assume that the TZ3 would spank my camera in all areas, and make it call it it's bitch.
My next camera is actually going to be the TZ3 for me. So I can have the FZ5 and a smaller camera as well that takes great pics like the one I have. I have had problems with all other cameras but panasonics :p
 
J

Jawo

Diamond Member
Jun 15, 2005
4,125
0
0
I have enjoyed Canon's "high-end" a line. I currently have a A620 and its amazing....and have taken pictures with it that look like they come from a dSLR. Its 7.1MP, 4x optical zoom, 1cm macro, etc. As with any p&s, hard to get good pictures at night and the grain shows when zoomed in at high res.

I would also look at the A710IS as well...its $50 - $100 less as well.

Comparing A620, A710IS and SD800IS
 
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