Searching for the 2010 equivalent to the Fuji F30...

[AAB]

I thought it would be a simple search, but it's turning into a nightmare.

Our ageing Fuji F30 has been playing up, so we decided to replace it, and we managed to try out a few options in our local Jessops - the Canon S90, Sony WX1 and Fuji F72EXR. My wife (primary user of the compact) didn't like the feel of either the S90 or WX1, and we opted to go for the Fuji.

We've taken dozens of sample shots and test in our usual challenging environment - indoors, kids running about, low light etc..etc... - employing the auto, exr and 'manual' settings. These shots looked different to the F30, but at least promising on the camera screen, however, upon reviewing the photos on computer, they are simply awful - noisy, mushy, flat, and with far too much shot-to-shot exposure variance for a camera that's supposed to have on-board intelligence!!

I don't doubt the F70EXR can take great low-light shots, but only if you keep the ISO low, and stick it on a tripod. High ISO photos are terrible with or without flash, and if you drop the ISO to 400, the flash is too weak to fill the scene properly, and/or the shutter speed to slow for the subject.

Very disappointing and frustrating.... and I'm at a loss what to look at now.

All we are a looking for is a replacement compact that provides similar performance to the F30 - I really thought with technological advancements, it wouldn't be too hard. Separately, I've been looking at a smaller replacement for my sold EOS 40D kit, but am still on the fence having tried out the m4/3rds offerings (E-P1/GF1) - 'nice' but a little too 'niche' I think, as neither would really fulfil our 'compact' requirements, nor work as a replacement for my old 40D.

I fully understand the benefits of larger sensors, and the low-light performance gains of even entry-level DSLRs - I just can't believe that in 2010, we can't get a good compact of the same calibre as the F30... or have I missed something.....?

Suggestions please!!!

[Roy5051]

There's the rub. The F30 was a 6MP camera with a 1/1.7" sensor - quite advanced at the time (2006). The problem with newer cameras is the high pixel count and smaller sensors, most being 1/2.3". The F70EXR only has a sensor of 1/2", which means that the photosites are that much smaller, therefore the data has to be enlarged more, hence noise.

I have used many medium-priced digital compacts over the past 10 years, and, IMHO, none are capable of taking acceptable pictures in low light. They also have pitifully weak flash built in. Manufacturers push higher pixel-counts on to the public, and ever-increasing ISO values, both of which result in noise.

It is a compromise, I am afraid, and one that will not be solved until manufacturers start putting larger (APS-C) sensors in their compacts.

[AAB]

There's the rub. The F30 was a 6MP camera with a 1/1.7" sensor - quite advanced at the time (2006). The problem with newer cameras is the high pixel count and smaller sensors, most being 1/2.3". The F70EXR only has a sensor of 1/2", which means that the photosites are that much smaller, therefore the data has to be enlarged more, hence noise.

I have used many medium-priced digital compacts over the past 10 years, and, IMHO, none are capable of taking acceptable pictures in low light. They also have pitifully weak flash built in. Manufacturers push higher pixel-counts on to the public, and ever-increasing ISO values, both of which result in noise.

It is a compromise, I am afraid, and one that will not be solved until manufacturers start putting larger (APS-C) sensors in their compacts.

Thanks Roy... bleak perhaps, but honest and true!!

Are there any 'premium' compacts that you might suggest are worth looking at..? The Lumix LX3 maybe (slightly larger sensor 1/1.63", albeit more pixels), and a fast f/2 lens on the front end....?