What camera should I buy?
:: Wednesday, December 5th, 2007 @ 3:35:03 pm
:: Tags: Photo
When asked what compact camera to buy, I always recommend the Fuji FinePix F30 or F31fd because it’s the only point & shoot with respectable low-light performance. I own a F30, and wouldn’t replace it with any other model from any other brand.
Recently, Fuji bowed to marketing pressure and released a 12-megapixel successor called the FinePix F50fd. DPReview has an in-depth review of the camera, with many images that compare it to the F30. They conclude that it is a really great camera, but doesn’t really improve output when compared to what the F30 produces.
So does the release of the F50fd change my recommendation? Nope. I certainly wouldn’t upgrade to the F50fd from a F30. There is simply no reason to scale up resolution if the output isn’t going to be as good; more pixels doesn’t always mean a better image. However, I would certainly buy a F50fd if I were in the market for a new compact camera. It’s probably the best compromise between size, quality, and price.
UPDATE, July 4, 2008 I think I’d probably recommend the Fujifilm FinePix J10 these days because it is relatively inexpensive ($115) while providing similar quality to Fuji’s existing line of compacts. It’s also really small and takes SD cards so you can scrap your old xD cards (hooray!). The J10 doesn’t have face detection, but I could live with that, since no camera I’ve owned has ever had that feature, and I do just fine. :)
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My favorite compact is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2. 16:9 sensor, RAW capable and Full manual controls. Leica lens 2,8 !
This is why I can’t deal with the Panny: http://tinyurl.com/37maml
I only have the small camera when I don’t want to carry a bigger camera. It’s usually out, at night, and so I shoot at ISO 400 a lot, with the occasional ISO 800. The F30 KICKS THE PANASONIC’s ass at ISO 400 and up. So the Panasonic shoots a bunch of smear and noise through its Leica lens. Big deal. :)
If I were worried about shooting RAW and a sharp lens, I’d have an SLR with me.
I usually recommend one of two pocket cameras: the Fuji F30/50 or the Canon SD870/800. The Fuji if the person cares primarily about low-light, non-flash shooting and doesn’t mind the relative bulkiness of the camera. The Canon if they’re more likely to shoot in bright conditions and/or wouldn’t really appreciate the low-light capabilities, in which case, I would give the Canon the edge, for its relative slimness and the fact that it has a 28mm wide end.
Actually, I do the same, Chester. I recommend Fuji or Canon. I actually like the Canon form factor more, and I prefer its images when used in good light and in primarily flash-lit conditions.
I was given an Olympus 830 for my birthday, and I’m super super impressed with it. Pocketable, dual IS, very strong low-light shots on par with the Lumix, and surprisingly intuitive user interface. I’ve never had an Olympus before, and I’m wondering if this is just a sweet spot they hit. AND you can pick from a couple of pretty colors for the camera itself! Have you played with one of these? If so what do you think?
I was just researching this a week ago. The problem is you can’t even find an F30 or F31fd anymore. On EBay, they actually sell used for significantly more than new! For casual snapshots, low-light performance is a must-have…. yet no current p-and-s delivers. It’s very unfortunate.
HWH beat me to it. I actually followed Eric’s recommendation for an F31fd when I purchased a new camera a few months ago to replace my trusty S200. I think I got it for around $200 — lately, it’s been hard to find them for under $300.
These days, I’m usually recommending the Canon SD1000. Can be had for under or around $200. Chester, does the IS make a noticeable difference? The form factor is definitely a huge plus for the SD series,
E, have you had any trouble with the xD card (speed / reliability)? I’ve just read some bad things about xD.
I’m currently drooling over the Canon G9. Bulky but jam-packed with good stuff. :)
Caro - xD blows. I hate xD!
Images from the G series always win the “compact camera” cagetory of our underwater photo competitions. Convenient manual control is a must, underwater. Nice cameras, but still not in the same class as even the cheapest SLR.
The IS makes a difference, but…it depends on what you’re shooting. For my purposes, the IS isn’t that big of a deal, because when shooting at 1/15, 1/8, etc., the issue isn’t just my own hand-shaking, but subjects themselves moving.
But if you’re shooting corpses or things that otherwise sit deadly still, then I imagine it’s a cool thing to have.
Here’s an interesting article about how the Fuji F30/F31fd has doubled in price since Fuji discontinued them: http://tinyurl.com/27cjmv
Also, someone at dpreview posted comparison shots between the F30 and F50: http://tinyurl.com/yqqb9k
I was thinking about getting a G9 but the local canon distributor said that it was sold out at the electronics exhibition they had earlier this month and they won’t have anymore coming in until next year. Then after weeks of reading up & contemplating on which model to buy, I finally picked up a Fuji Finepix F40fd from FNAC last night. Heard pretty good feedback from friends who have it. I guess I will find out for sure when I start shooting this week. By the say, the local distributor said that F50 is assembled in China while F40 is still made in Japan. Not sure how reliable his remark is…
The F40 was “lower” in the product line than the F30 was. I’ve never used an F40fd, but I assume it has fewer features…
eric, it’s elliot! (no, the other one.) did you really ditch your F30? i’ve been looking for something a bit more pocketable and modern than my Olympus 5050Z, but with the something approaching the f/1.8 and 28mm combo that lets me get some good low-light shots outdoors and in restaurants. the f30/f31 seems to be a good choice for continuing my line of quirky cult cameras. most reviews of the newer models in the FinePix f line seem to almost reminisce about the f31; it seems like nothing’s going to match that model until the sensors get bigger.
i am hunting around for an f31/f30 on eBay. i’ll probably wind up with an LX3 while i wait for everyone else to put big sensors in their 12+ megapixel compact cameras.