Which path to low-light? High ISO or IS?

[bobbob911]

Typically the kinds of low-light shots I would like to capture are either landscape photography or posed photographs - So in my case, lowering the shutter speed (and using IS) is perfectly acceptable. I will never use a tripod so IS is essential in this case.

Given that, I'm not sure which is the best path to go:

1)Good High ISO performance from something like the Fuji F40fd (which has no IS) or F50fd (which supposedly has marginal IS)

2)Really great IS performance that will give me sharp performance down to 1/16 or even 1/8sec, and acceptable performance down to 1/4 sec

What do you think is the best way to go? Which compact P&S cameras have the best-in-class IS at the moment? (Is it the Powershot G9?)

Thanks!

[David Metsky]

Best is class IS? I don't think we have data on that. You can expect to get 2 f-stops or maybe 3 from a P&S camera with OIS; I don't think you'll find much variation between manufacturers. For subject matter that isn't moving, I think the limitations of the Fuji SuperCCD cameras outweighs the benefits.

[bobbob911]

Is that true? I'm pretty sure Optical IS is more highly regarded than Electronic IS, and I would have to guess that Optical IS (being a mechanical process) must have better and worse working solutions.

Otherwise, I guess the F50fd (with both IS and SuperCCD) would be the undisputed low light champion for me, as opposed to the F30/31/40 which do not have IS.

[David Metsky]

Electronic (or Digital) IS isn't IS. It's just boosting ISO and I don't count that as being part of this discussion. I'm only talking about cameras with true optical image stabilization.

The F50 also has too many pixels jammed into a small sensor, and doesn't seem to perform in the real world as well as it looks on paper. The features of other cameras (better lens and electronics, better movie modes, more manual controls and features, bigger zoom) outweigh the lowlight performance for what you are trying to shoot. In other instances I'd vote for the F50 even with the shortcomings, but not for landscapes.

[KCook]

I just got my first camera with IS, a Canon S3 IS. Have to say I am now "sold" on the usefulness of IS. Find that I can easily handhold shots in low light at ISO 400. Simply no need for any higher ISO (with their noise and low DR). Dunno if the Canon IS is just better than the other point-and-shoots, as a Canon fan it wouldn't surprise me :D . But I really doubt I'll ever buy another camera without IS.

Kelly Cook