Compared to... Panasonic DMC-FX33

Below you will find a studio comparison between the Canon SD 870 IS (IXUS 860 IS) and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX33 at their highest sensitivity settings: ISO 1600.

Studio scene comparison (@ ISO 1600)

• Canon SD800 IS (IXUS 850 IS): Program mode, ISO 1600, Default Image Parameters,
  Manual white balance, +0.67 EV compensation
   
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX33: Program mode, ISO 1600, Default Image Parameters,
  Manual white balance, +0.67 EV compensation
   
• Lighting: Daylight simulation, >98% CRI

Note: ND4 filter (2 stops) used on the lens on the Canon.

Canon SD 870 IS (IXUS 860 IS)	Panasonic DMC-FX33
ISO 1600, 1/160 sec, F13 ND4	ISO 1600, 1/1300 sec, F10
3,996 KB JPEG	2,945 KB JPEG

At ISO 1600 the roles are reversed, with the Panasonic producing more obviously grainy results but retaining some detail in doing so. As at ISO 800, the reds are prone to bleeding into surrounding areas (something we've seen with all recent Panasonic models). The Canon's noise reduction is working overtime by this point and obliterates any detail to give a result that is not so much watercolor as pointillist. The results from both cameras are so degraded that they're only likely to be useful if the alternative is not managing to capture a really special (if ill-lit) moment.