P&S Compacts: How do you rate image quality?

[GTaudiophile]

How would you rank these brands in terms of image quality, from best to worst?

Canon
Fuji
Nikon
Olympus
Panasonic

 

[996GT2]

Well, Fuji's P&S cameras are pretty average except for the F series with the SuperCCD HR sensors.

Panasonic used to have some issues with excessive noise reduction, but their Venus IV sensor has definitely improved on that.

Nikon makes some great DSLRs, but their P&S cameras leave a lot to be desired.

I usually don't like to generalize, but if I had to I would probably rank like this:

Canon
Panasonic, Sony
Fuji
Olympus
Nikon

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

It's impossible to quantify by brand - different cameras will use different sensors, lenses and internal processing algorithms, based on market segment.

Fuji's "FD" stands for "Face Detection". Certain of their cameras that use the SuperCCD sensor are most (not all) members of the "F" series, and some S series models. Unfortunately, Fuji's latest efforts (F50/F60/F100/S100, etc) are no longer the low-light standouts they had once been. Too many megapixels, while other brands have made strides with regard to internal processing and sensor design.

IMO, Panasonic has improved their NR processing, however it still eliminates too much detail. But then again, I'm a guy who has no problem with some noise if detail remains strong.

As 996GT2 has pointed out, it's not really good to generalize. Some brands give better low-ISO performance, others are better at high ISO. Some brands have sharper, more vibrant images out of the box, others need to have in-camera menu adjustments made.

DCResource.com, DPReview.com and Imaging-Resource.com do a good job in having standard images available by which you can compare cameras.

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Originally posted by: 996GT2
Nikon makes some great DSLRs, but their P&S cameras leave a lot to be desired.

For years I've wondered why this is... you'd think Nikon would be interested in building brand loyalty that way, as Canon has done.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Flipped Gazelle

Originally posted by: 996GT2
Nikon makes some great DSLRs, but their P&S cameras leave a lot to be desired.

For years I've wondered why this is... you'd think Nikon would be interested in building brand loyalty that way, as Canon has done.

nikon didn't even compete in the compact rangefinder segment in the 60s and 70s that everyone else was in. i don't think they started making compact cameras until the 80s.

 

[Kaido]

I'd have to say Canon makes the best P&S. Kodak is the worst.