Compared to... Canon PowerShot SD800IS (Ixus 850IS)

Below you will find a studio comparison between the Fuji FinePix F31fd and the Canon SD800 IS (Ixus 850 IS) at ISO 1600..

Studio scene comparison (@ ISO 1600)

  • Fuji FinePix F31fd : Aperture Priority mode, ISO 1600, Default Image Parameters,
    Manual white balance, +0.67 EV compensation
     
  • Canon SD800 IS (IXUS 850 IS): Program mode, ISO 1600 , Default Image Parameters,
    Manual white balance, +0.67 EV compensation
     
  • Lighting: Daylight simulation, >98% CRI
Fujifilm FinePix F31fd
Canon SD 800 IS (IXUS 850 IS)
ISO 1600, 1/996 sec, F4.9
ISO 1600, 1/250 sec, F11
3,087 KB JPEG
3,122 KB JPEG

At ISO 1600 the Canon's image is all but unusable, whereas the F31fd is just about holding on to enough detail (and showing little enough noise) to be useful in situations where you simply don't have an alternative, particularly if you're only intending to produce small (say 6x4") prints. There simply isn't another compact camera on the market that can get close to results like these - if you want better ISO 1600 you need to buy a digital SLR.