noise levels, relevant??

[mtclimber]

wittetulp-

You are exactly correct. When you jam more pixels on the same size imager, you get more noise. That is also the reason why DSLR cameras, which have a much, much larger imager have less noise, when you look at DSLR's in the 6 to 8mp range.

However, once again as more pixels are added, noise problems begin to crop up as the megapixel count is increased. For example, the KM 5D and Nikon D-40 have 6mp imagers and the ability to handle higher ISO settings. When the KM 5D camera became the Sony A-100, and got a new 10mp imager, the ISO settings became limited and noise once again became a factor to deal with in the photos.

As NHL noted in his post, keeping your ISO settings to ISO 400 and below, while adding a well controled light source, such as a powerful external flash guarantees a better photo. DSLRs almost always have that very handy hotshoe on which to mount a powerful external flash.

Sarah Joyce

[TCav]

mtclimber wrote:

However, once again as more pixels are added, noise problems begin to crop up as the megapixel count is increased. For example, the KM 5D and Nikon D-40 have 6mp imagers and the ability to handle higher ISO settings. When the KM 5D camera became the Sony A-100, and got a new 10mp imager, the ISO settings became limited and noise once again became a factor to deal with in the photos.

But, once again, this effect mostly only appears when using the higher ISO settings.

In your case, the S45's highest ISO setting is 400, while the other cameras you're considering as replacements have maximum ISO settings of 800, 1600, even 3200, and that's where you'll notice the noise. At the same ISO settings, you are likely to see a comparable amount of noise in images from them as from your S45, but at greater resolutions. What these cameras offer you is the option to increase the ISO setting to levels not possible with your S45, so you can get shots not possible with your S45, albeit with noise as an inevitableconsequence.

If you think you would benefit from the other features availablein these newer cameras, you should consider the higher ISO settings as another feature that you can take advantage of, as long as you understand that, when you do, your images will contain a smattering of errant pixels.

[happy_peasant]

TCav wrote:

you should consider the higher ISO settings as another feature that you can take advantage of, as long as you understand that, when you do, your images will contain a smattering of errant pixels.

That is probably one of the better descriptions of noise I have read at a non-technical level.