F40fd offers best compromise. Higher resolution (8MP), while having similar noise performance. F31fd was the improved version of F30. You may find it new.F40 does not have manual modes, while F31fd has..
However some newer Canon models also offer good noise performance. e.g. Canon SX100IS, A720IS, A570IS. These have additional advantage of I.S. too..
A720IS is your best bet as it is cheap, has optical viewfinder (for real time live-tracking of subjects) and decent zoom..
Enzamatic wrote:.
I waslooking at photo galleries and the F30s looked better than the -F40d? F50? on low light and wasn't sure what to think. I wantwhichever is better - I just don't know enough to judge myself. Iimagine the people on here know which is better and more importantlywhy, making it not guesswork..
Best Wishes, Ajayhttp://picasaweb.google.com/ajay0612..
Thanks very much - I have the SX100IS and the FInepix F30 on my shortlist, will heed what you've said and look at the others as well. Thanks very much! Thanks for being respectful despite my fair amount of ignorance as well...
Fuji F30 or F31fd, there is nothing comparable out there. Unfortunately however, it has been discontinued and you will have a hard time finding either camera anywhere..
If you don't need manual controls (shutter / aperture settings) and a few other functions the F40fd *might* be an alternative IQ wise, but not camera wise..
Cheers and good luckbecksi..
Ajay0612 wrote:.
F40 does not have manual modes, while F31fd has.However some newer Canon models also offer good noise performance..
Actually, the F31fd has an M mode, but it isn't a manual mode, it is a customizable but fully automatic mode. The lack of any manual control on the F31fd was a real disappointment..
Brian A...
I consider Aperture/Shutter Priority modes too as manual modes (You control all except one paramenter, which also can be manipulated by exposure compensation.).http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilmf31fd/.
Hugowolf wrote:.
Ajay0612 wrote:.
F40 does not have manual modes, while F31fd has.However some newer Canon models also offer good noise performance..
Actually, the F31fd has an M mode, but it isn't a manual mode, it isa customizable but fully automatic mode. The lack of any manualcontrol on the F31fd was a real disappointment..
Brian A..
Best Wishes, Ajayhttp://picasaweb.google.com/ajay0612..
I consider Aperture/Shutter Priority modes too as manual modes (Youcontrol all except one paramenter,.
I see it as you control only one of the many parameters; they are semi-automatic modes..
Which also can be manipulated byexposure compensation.).http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilmf31fd/.
The F31fd has been the only P&S that I have liked. I carry one around with me almost always. But there is no manual exposure mode. You can tweak the automatic exposure with EC, but that only gives you 2 stops which is often insufficient given the limited dynamic range of MOS/CCD sensors..
With Av and Tv you can vary the aperture or shutter speed, but the exposure is still set automatically from whatever metering mode you use. There is no control of fill flash to ambient ratios, for example..
The F31fd is a great little camera; it is/was inexpensive, small and lightweight, and the high ISO performance is second to none amongst non-dSLRs, but a manual mode would have been nice..
I dont have the manual with me at the moment, but I am fairly certain that it actually says something like: M is a automatic mode ..
Brian A...
As was mentioned before, for low-light (high-ISO) compact P&S photography NOTHING compares to FujiFilm FinePix F20/F30/F31fd out-of-camera. (The F40fd is also pretty good in low-light as well, but loses some performance due to added megapixels.).
Since the F20/F30/F31fd are discontinued cameras, they are very hard to find brand new. The F31fd seems to be the rarest, but in reading the FujiFilm Talk Forum, some people have found new models in unusual places (like drugstores), and in other countries (like Poland and Singapore), and on eBay (if you're lucky). You can also call and ask FujiFilm USA if they have any refurbs coming in..
The F30 is also quite rare (especially since it's the predecessor to the F31fd... but ALMOST the exact same camera), but I've seen it around more. It USED to be available as a refurb onhttp://www.overstock.com, but they may not have any more. I've also seen it brand new on eBay (but you have to be lucky)..
The F20 is more plentiful than the other two, and I've seen it sold BRAND NEW in a few places still (like Amazon.com Marketplace for $159.99... but the price is rising due to diminishing availability so if you want it you'd better get it FAST!). It was/is also available from other websites as a refurb as well (~$149.99 last I checked), but the price is so close to the BRAND NEW price on Amazon Marketplace that I would just buy it BRAND NEW. The F20 basically the same exact camera as the F30, but without the A/S Priority Modes..
You may want to read the threads in the FujiFilm Talk Forum for more details....
Chokaay..