Fuji F50fd, Canon SD1100 IS, or Canon SD1000?

[hammocksleeper]

I have done a fair amount of research with some helpful advice from forums ike this one and have narrowed down to three choices. Some considerations are size (ultracompact), performance in low light (would be great to take some indoor no-flash photos, but I'm starting to think it's impossible with a compact), and price. I only care about resolution and image quality to the point where they look nice enough to share on Facebook, email etc. and I won't be making prints.

Fujifilm F50fd @ $190
-good low light performance
-mechanical image stabilization
-some reviews say that the image is a little noisy though, even starting at ISO 400

Canon sd1100 IS @ $212
-good reviews
-not so sure about low light performance
-costs more than the sd1000

canon sd1000 @ $158
-no image stabilization

Can you guys help me make a decision!? Thanks so much!

[KCook]

The Canon SD1000 just doesn't float my boat. So I will stand aside and let SD1000 owners comment on that choice.

The Canons that I have owned were A-series and S-series, I've never owned a SD. Do take an interest in the SDs though, I think some of them are very attractive cameras. I just recently got my first Fuji, a F45fd. This is the Ritz branded version of the better known F40fd. Not hugely different from the F50fd. Agree, Canon's new SD1100 is an attractive camera, and the reviews so far are quite good.

Ok, the above was a long wind-up to saying that I think the "zen" differences between Canon and Fuji are big. The Canon is a quality consumer camera that any beginner can expect very good results with, under typical conditions. Fuji finds their own path, which is not so beginner friendly. And Fuji tries very hard to work with any condition imaginable. If the shot is an "impossible" one, the Fuji has the better chance of pulling it off. This is achieved mostly through ISO boosting. Very high ISO will give more noise, but for web presentation this noise will not be a big deal. My Canon S3 had the optical IS, like the SD1100. Optical IS also pushes the low light envelope. But, and for some this is a critical "but", it only helps with static subjects. If the subject is in motion you have no choice but to go the high ISO route.

If you want to see sample shots with the F45fd, follow the linky in my other thread - Reviews for cameras under $200 (http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38953)

Both are well made cameras with good lenses. The learning curves are very different. I have no regrets on choosing the Fuji, but I have a lot of experience in the technical side of photography.

Kelly Cook

[hammocksleeper]

just ordered the f50, thanks!

[mjsneddon]

I own a Canon SD1000. I bought for one reason: it is extremely small. It is a fine camera but nothing to get excited about - but it does one thing very well: being SMALL.