P&S compact - can't make a decision

[Snurk71]

I originally posted this last night in another thread instead of starting a new one...

Still looking for a compact PnS backup to XT since our Sony DSC developed a "spot".

At first I thought I should stick with Sony, since I already have the media. Someone pointed out that SD is so cheap now to not make a decision based on that. I looked at the SD prices, and memory is cheap. So I opened up my possibilities.

Read about everyone loving the Canon SI3. Went to BB to check it out -
don't think I like it for what I'm looking for. It wasn't compact, slip in your pocket size. The zoom would be nice. But I have an XT - so I should be using the XT with changeable lenses if I want zoom. Probably get it for a little over $300.

Earlier in the week I read in a thread about the ISO performance of the Fuji F31. Went to dpreview, and see that it's their top rated camera. But is that rating weighed to heavily on the low light performance? Again, I have the XT for low light performance. So would I be crossing over the line again. It does appear to fit the "compact" portion of what I'm looking for though. Can get it for $200 with rebate form Beach. Haven't held one yet.

I'm tempted to just buy the F31 and be done with it. It's only a couple hundred bucks, and it's really only going to be used as a back-up and "quick need".

Anyone want to talk me out of it?


Master Mason advised to pass and get a new lens or speedlite because I'll be disappointed with a P&S after a DSLR. I'm going to get a P&S regardless - because I'd like to have an emergency backup and one that slips into a pocket for ease. It's just a matter of which one to get.

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

The Fuji cameras are the real stars of low-light performance among the P&S crowd and they take very nice pictures.

That said, however, I don't think the pictures they take under non-low-light conditions are that great. Their weakness is that they've got no IS ... so, the only way they can stabilize an image is to up the shutter speed and that means going to higher ISOs to do it.

Sure, the Fuji's got the best ISO1600 on the market, but its ISO1600 is STILL noisier than other cameras' ISO100 or ISO200.

However, if you're just looking for a great camera to drop in your pocket, I doubt anyone would be dissatisfied with the F31.

 

[Zoesmama03]

My Nikon Coolpix cost me $199 its 5MP and if I must argue some of the BEST low light pictures I've EVER taken on any P&S camera. I have used Canon, Kodak and Sony.

I use ISO 400 for low light and shoot in aperture priority mode all the time but they have scene modes too that work great.

The Canon S3 shows some fab pictures too from friend that uses one.