Difference between F30 & F31fd

[chiruanna]

Hi,

After doing quite a bit of research and thanks to help from this forum, I've decided on the F30.
I wanted to try it out at a local store before ordering it but couldn't find it anywhere.
And by the time I decided to go for it and order online, its not available online, not even Ebay. Instead, there is the F31fd (only online).

Here are my concerns:
1) Is the F31fd the same as the F30 (I mean, apart from the face detection)?
The reason I am asking this is the F40 although a newer camera than F30 didn't get good reviews on this site. And a newer version is not necessarily better.

2) How compact is the F31? I am unable to get a feel for its size just by looking at the dimensions. Can someone compare it to the SD850 and tell me if its bigger or the same size as? (Or is there a current camera model thats exactly the same size)

Thanks.

[tim11]

Apart from FD, there is one main difference between F30 and F31fd - the price tag. :)
F40 has larger MP image while still use the same sensor as F30, that's why the quality is rated lower. And also F31 has manual controls so you can squeeze the best quality out of the camera rather than let it do everything for you.

I just don't know how to tell you the size of F30/F31. Let me put it side by side and there is only a tad diff. between the Fuji and Canon and that sort of surprise me; I thought SD850 was much smaller.

F30/F31fd:
Dimensions (W x H x D): 91.4 x 55.9 x 27.9 mm / 3.6 x 2.2 x 1.1 in
Weight (empty): 156 g / 5.5 oz

SD850:
Dimensions (W x H x D): 91.4 x 55.9 x 25.4 mm / 3.6 x 2.2 x 1.0 in
Weight (empty): 165 g / 5.8 oz

[Honest Gaza]

Took the F30 for a thorough test drive at an indoor party last weekend.

Really noticeable "red-eye".....never seemed as apparent with my previous Olympus MJU400.

[chiruanna]

Apart from FD, there is one main difference between F30 and F31fd - the price tag. :)
F40 has larger MP image while still use the same sensor as F30, that's why the quality is rated lower. And also F31 has manual controls so you can squeeze the best quality out of the camera rather than let it do everything for you.

I just don't know how to tell you the size of F30/F31. Let me put it side by side and there is only a tad diff. between the Fuji and Canon and that sort of surprise me; I thought SD850 was much smaller.

F30/F31fd:
Dimensions (W x H x D): 91.4 x 55.9 x 27.9 mm / 3.6 x 2.2 x 1.1 in
Weight (empty): 156 g / 5.5 oz

SD850:
Dimensions (W x H x D): 91.4 x 55.9 x 25.4 mm / 3.6 x 2.2 x 1.0 in
Weight (empty): 165 g / 5.8 oz

So, you mean to say apart from FD and the price there is no diff?

Well, looking at the dimensions, I can see that its quite the same as 850. But that doesn't explain why F30 is not categorized as an ultra compact camera while SD850 is.
I'd like to carry this camera around in my pocket wherever I go. Thats why I am concerned about the size.

[griptape]

It's bigger than the 850, but it's still very pocket-able. It would fit comfortably in a pair of jeans, you just wouldn't have room for anything else in that pocket (comfortably).

[tim11]

So, you mean to say apart from FD and the price there is no diff?

Well, looking at the dimensions, I can see that its quite the same as 850. But that doesn't explain why F30 is not categorized as an ultra compact camera while SD850 is.
I'd like to carry this camera around in my pocket wherever I go. Thats why I am concerned about the size.

Yes FD is the diff. and you pay the price for it.

I was surprise to see the dimensions of the 2 cameras, I had to double and triple check. F30 is only 2.5 mm thicker and everything else identical.
Like Griptape said, F30/F31fd is pocketable though personally I don't leave a camera in any pocket for long for obvious reason.

[chiruanna]

I was surprise to see the dimensions of the 2 cameras, I had to double and triple check. F30 is only 2.5 mm thicker and everything else identical.


My point exactly.


In any case, I think I have to find a seller with a good return policy.

[chiruanna]

thanks guys for all your help. I went ahead and bought the F31. I should have by next week.

I hope I wont be disappointed.

By the way, what XD card should I buy? Would you recommend the Type H over the M.
Either doesn't seem good as far as transfer rates is concerned, compared to SD and there doesn't seem to be much diff between types H & M.

[pas49ras]

The 2 types of X-D card do have a difference in write/read speeds,if there isn't much of a price difference I'd get the H x-D


M Write speed 2.5(MiB/s) Read speed 4 (MiB/s)

H Write speed 4 (MiB/s) Read speed 5 (MiB/s)

[Visual Reality]

I have used Olympus Type H cards with good results.