Steve'sDigicams

inflictionmitch · Jan 1, 2006, 2:13 PM

I've got a Canon 20D with a multitude of lenses which I absolutely love, but would also like to have a quality subcompact to take along with me all the time. I was considering the Canon SD550 but have seen samples of the noise at 400 ISO and it's pretty insane. Is that just a fact of life when dealing with smaller image sensors or is there a subcompact which can shoot well under lower light conditions (barring the use of a flash, that is)?

mtclimber · Jan 1, 2006, 2:19 PM

I am a Canon D-20 user as well. For my pocket camera I have carried the Fuji F-10 for over a year, and I have been very pleased with its performance. It is not quite as small as the Canon SD-550, but the F-10 is ISO capable up to ISO 1600, with very little noise.

MT

airshowfan · Jan 1, 2006, 9:17 PM

I think the very tiny Fuji Z1 is also fairly good at high ISOs, as far as compact cameras go. Something to look into if you're thinking of getting a camera as small as an SD550.

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/fu...ew/index.shtml

slipe · Jan 2, 2006, 1:04 AM

True optical stabilization is good for about 3 f-stops according to the manufacturers. I find it pretty close to that in practice. That means you can shoot at ISO100 with optical stabilization where you would need ISO 800 without it. The problem is it doesn't help for subject movement.

What seems a fair compromise is the new Sony T9. It has true optical stabilization and fairly good high ISO capability. http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/sony/dsc_t9-review/ I'm not crazy about P&S with no optical viewfinder, but the LCD is better than average. It is also quite small.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Steve'sDigicams

Recent Camera Reviews

Most Active Forums

Most Popular Deals

Latest Feature Articles

Jan 1, 2006, 2:13 PM	#1
inflictionmitch Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1	I've got a Canon 20D with a multitude of lenses which I absolutely love, but would also like to have a quality subcompact to take along with me all the time. I was considering the Canon SD550 but have seen samples of the noise at 400 ISO and it's pretty insane. Is that just a fact of life when dealing with smaller image sensors or is there a subcompact which can shoot well under lower light conditions (barring the use of a flash, that is)?

Jan 1, 2006, 2:19 PM	#2
mtclimber Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 18,143	I am a Canon D-20 user as well. For my pocket camera I have carried the Fuji F-10 for over a year, and I have been very pleased with its performance. It is not quite as small as the Canon SD-550, but the F-10 is ISO capable up to ISO 1600, with very little noise. MT

Jan 1, 2006, 9:17 PM	#3
airshowfan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 115	I think the very tiny Fuji Z1 is also fairly good at high ISOs, as far as compact cameras go. Something to look into if you're thinking of getting a camera as small as an SD550. http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/fu...ew/index.shtml

Jan 2, 2006, 1:04 AM	#4
slipe Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Indian Rocks Beach, FL Posts: 4,036	True optical stabilization is good for about 3 f-stops according to the manufacturers. I find it pretty close to that in practice. That means you can shoot at ISO100 with optical stabilization where you would need ISO 800 without it. The problem is it doesn't help for subject movement. What seems a fair compromise is the new Sony T9. It has true optical stabilization and fairly good high ISO capability. http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/sony/dsc_t9-review/ I'm not crazy about P&S with no optical viewfinder, but the LCD is better than average. It is also quite small.