Fuji F30 vs Canon Ixus 800

Vortigern · May 28, 2006

Hi all,

I am about to give up my digital compact camera (Sony DSC W1), and I still hesitate between two different new cameras: the Canon Ixux 800 and the Fuji F30.

Despite arduous investigations, I still need some informations to make the right choice: could the happy (or unhappy) holders of one of theses cameras tell me if:
- the F30 offers a manual white balance and a continuous autofocus?

- the Ixus 800 allows the user to prioritize aperture or shutterspeed, and if it has a continuous autofocus?

(Of course I know there is no such thing as a reflex the size of a compact, but anyway...)

If no one can help me, I’ll just flip a coin!

Thanks,

Vorti

Philip L Bonner · May 28, 2006

If you want the best out-of-camera image quality and more latitude to shoot animate objects (like people) in available light, then go with the F30. If you want longer reach zoom, and image stabilization to shoot inanimate subjects in low light, (but lower, less crisp/sharp, image quality), go with the SD700 (Ixus800).

Wilson_ng · May 28, 2006

F30 has more manual control like shutter and aperture priority.

Heikki Kultala · May 28, 2006

Vortigern said:
Hi all,

I am about to give up my digital compact camera (Sony DSC W1), and
I still hesitate between two different new cameras: the Canon Ixux
800 and the Fuji F30.

Despite arduous investigations, I still need some informations to
make the right choice: could the happy (or unhappy) holders of one
of theses cameras tell me if:
- the F30 offers a manual white balance

F11 has both some pre-set WB modes and a custom mode to calibrate the WB from "known white". so I'm quite sure F30 is no worse in this.

WB option is available on the M mode ( stupidly called "manual" even though it's full auto with just some setting enabled )
SP and AP modes, but not on "full blonde auto" and program/natural light modes.

Vortigern said:
and a continuous autofocus?

at least F11 does not have, but the autofocus is very fast when on the high-speed mode.

Vortigern said:
- the Ixus 800 allows the user to prioritize aperture or
shutterspeed,

no.

york98 · May 29, 2006

yes F30 has a continuous focus mode

raymand · May 29, 2006

...but only 3 pics in continuous mode

JJJRRR768 · May 29, 2006

Many of the canon SD cams have had problems with the LCD breaking. I am not sure if that has been rectified or not, canon forum would be of help there. The only think I like better about the SD700 is the optical viewfinder, but you give up too much in the way of manual control, and when I tried some canons out last year (the S60 and 70) I was not happy with the sharpness of the pics, I find both my Oly 7070 and my f11 are much better in this area.

Philip L Bonner · May 29, 2006

Everytime I visit the Canon Talk Forum ther is at least one user complaining about soft shots. Not one user but it's been a few now. I'm not one to cry "wolf" or "the sky is falling" but where there is smoke there is probably fire. How's that for cliche's?

James_MG · May 29, 2006

with the new canon's you can raise sharpness, so doubt those people read the manual. i actually think the fuji pics are softer. that said, as an former owner of the fuji f11 and current owner of the sd600 (same sensor as the sd700), the fuji takes MUCH better pictures. in the process of selling mine and picking up a different one.

JPG · May 29, 2006

If you are about to give up digital you might look into the Leica CM film camera. I took it with me on a just returning trip from Paris to Cannes, along with my Fuji F10. There are times when you just can't see through the LCD screen and that's when you really appreciate a REAL viewfinder. Pluse the Leica lens is one really sharp lens. You have to go through Photoshop or as I did -Picasa 2, to get almost the sharpness the Leica does naturally.

Vortigern · May 30, 2006

Thanks a lot for your answers.

I think I'm gonna purchase the F30. This my firm and definitive decision for the next 30 minutes.

theranman · May 30, 2006

You might also consider the new Ricoh Caplio R4. To me, it seems to be the best all around compromise. It won't take pics as clearly in low light as the F30, but it's the same size and offers;

7X Zoom
Optical Image Stabilization
28mm wide angle.

To me, it's tough choosing between the two. I've already nixxed the SD700.

vissa · May 30, 2006

Where do you come up with the lower image quality statement? Can you point to some examples? IMO the SD700 appears to have excellent edge to edge sharpness and very good image quality. Details are not washed away at high ISO as they are with the F30 (in other words, Canon chooses to retain detail instead of using heavy-handed noise reduction as the F30's highest ISO modes uses).

I think both cameras are top picks overall, but will suit different people with different needs.
-vissa

Philip L Bonner said:
If you want the best out-of-camera image quality and more latitude
to shoot animate objects (like people) in available light, then go
with the F30. If you want longer reach zoom, and image
stabilization to shoot inanimate subjects in low light, (but lower,
less crisp/sharp, image quality), go with the SD700 (Ixus800).

vissa · May 30, 2006

One big advantage (for me with shooting kids, etc) of the SD700IS is that it has a much better continuous mode if that is important to you. The F30 lets you only keep 3 shots in high-speed continuous or 1 shot every 2 seconds (40 shots). The Sd700 lets you shoot 2 shots every second continuously (4x as fast as the F30's "40 shot" mode). And the SD700 lets you do it until memory is full (no limit). In addition, it lets you shoot continuous with flash if you need it (at a slower rate) -- something most cameras will not do at all.

The SD700 will allow you to shoot still or slow-moving subjects (portraits, etc) at a slower shutter speed in a lower ISO because it has Optical Image stabilization. The F30 does not.

However, if you want to shoot fast moving subjects in dim light, the F30 is your only choice. Even the F30 will have big problems in those circumstances, but it will get you better results in that scenario than any other pocket camera.

-vissa

vissa · May 30, 2006

If you're worried about your camera breaking I would probably get it from Costco (the SD700 is available now from them). They will let you return it as long as you are still a member.

-vissa

Joel Stern said:
Many of the canon SD cams have had problems with the LCD breaking.
I am not sure if that has been rectified or not, canon forum would
be of help there. The only think I like better about the SD700 is
the optical viewfinder, but you give up too much in the way of
manual control, and when I tried some canons out last year (the S60
and 70) I was not happy with the sharpness of the pics, I find both
my Oly 7070 and my f11 are much better in this area.

Bart Hickman · May 30, 2006

The SD700 also has three things I sort of wish the F30 had: histogram, contrast adjustment, and optical viewfinder. For myself, I still think I'll prefer the F30, but can say from experience, those three things are nice to have and worth considering when you're trying to decide.

Bart

James_MG · May 30, 2006

histogram, really, i'll have to go look at where it is on my sd600 - same cam features as the sd700 - its not in record mode, maybe in the play mode?

larger sensor - better image. the fuji f30 will take better pics than the sd700. i had the fuji and have the canon now. will either get the fuji f30 or the casio z850. neither have OIS.

fuji f11 picture (f30 should be better) - iso 1600

sd600 (sd700 will give you the same picture) -

Bart Hickman · May 30, 2006

Maybe I'm mistaken. I know the SD550 has a very small luminance-only histogram in play mode, so I assumed they'd carry that forward to the SD700. Having it only in play mode admittedly hampers its usefulness.

Ideally, I'd want to see a nice big YRGB histogram in record mode like Casio puts on their cameras.

Bart

tsinvest · May 30, 2006

Danny, My thread (listed below) may be of some help to you. I was between the two cams, same as you, and decided to get the SD700is - so far I like it alot. Aside from Hugos shots with the F30, which I believe had post processing, many of the other sample photos posted by others just didn't stand out. Good luck!

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=18629490
--
My best, Tom S.

tsinvest · May 30, 2006

Sorry Vorti, I called you Danny - can't edit so result is this post. My best, Tom
--
My best, Tom S.

Fuji F30 vs Canon Ixus 800

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