Most cameras take better pictures outside the auto modes - that's normal. It's like the difference between driving a car with an automatic gearbox and a manual gearbox. It's does not mean auto is bad..

I mostly use my F30 ( almost identical to the F31 ) on auto and "almost-auto" P mode. I'm quite happy with the pictures. I doubt the IXUS would be better on it's auto mode, based on my Canon experience to date..

I would suggest you investigate the P, S and A modes when shooting and learn to use EV compensation. With very little effort you can set the camera to the way you like and hardly ever have to touch it. The much maligned manual is actually quite useful as an introduction..

EV compensation and P mode are especially useful, and almost automatic. They help you get the exposure you want with almost no effort..

StephenG.

Fuji S9600Fuji S5200Fuji F30Fuji E900Canon A710ISPCLinuxOS..

Hi StephenG,.

Thanks for your reply. However, still not really solving my problem. I exactly find myself playinjg around with the P mode on my EOS400D, converting from RAW etc., but is exactly what I dont want to do  I want to have an P&S camera where I'm happy about the shorts in 90% of the cases and then I'll bin the remaining 10%. With the EOS, I for sure "sometimes" get sharp and nice photos, but it's less than 50% which really look sharp and in focus. With my old cheap IXUS V3 I got subjectively better photos!.

To your camera; I have noticed some users are complaning over the dull / not so warm & crisp colors, what have you done to overcome this? Also, several reviews are complaninig abou the purple problem in high contrast; any work around for that?.

Thanks again for your feedback, I really appreciate it.Erik..

I have a F31fd (and a couple of Canon dSLRs). The F31 only has automatic and semi-automatic modes, there is no manual exposure mode. The F31 is great for low light, non-flash shots; that is it's specialty it has good high ISO performance. It does great, non-flash, indoor images. If you are going to use flash most of the time when indoors, then you may be better looking at another camera..

It does great outdoor shots too, but that is true for most P&S cameras..

Brian A..

Hugowolf wrote:.

If you are going to use flash most of thetime when indoors, then you may be better looking at another camera..

Don't tell them about flash. I thought I hated photography and my look on the pictures for 20 years... What I really hated all this time was compact camera on auto with flash on. It's tool of the Devil meant to make hapless "model" indulge in mortal sins of sloth and envy...

A bit distorted your view on manual/semiautomatic modes of compacts..

Here's how:.

Look at the 3 pictures below. It's your basic film compact, literally not worth the film it is using. No any "modes" at all! Single factory-set speed, single aperture, and yes, flash. So how does it manage take focused and more or less correctly exposed shots? Answer is: Because it's lens is tiny, and aperture is "slow". That means that only naturally converging rays of light pass through it, - no need to focus! And film's superior dynamic range and that pesky flash do the rest to make this "one size fits all" approach work. (sort of.).

Now consider your dSLR... Everything is exsactly opposite, - large lens collects more light, but also means focus may be fiddly. Inferior DR of sensors (compared to films) implies our exposure decisions have to be more precise. We can get more depth of field (simplier focus) by doing the same thing cheapo manufacturers did, - decreasing aperture. But that means less light goes to sensor, which aggravates our exposure problems... You've got the idea..

Now consider typical compact... It's lens is 6-7 or so times smaller than dSLR lens, but still 4 or so times larger than that of our ultracheap. That means we need to do some adjustments, but they are nowhere near as critical and interdependent. we can get both reasonably fast aperture AND deep focus easily, by doing nearly nothing..

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Image control:Zoom outZoom 100%Zoom inExpand AllOpen in new window..

It sounds like you want Canon's approach to consumer cameras. Canon's consumer cameras ( like my A710IS ) tend to produce very saturated photos which are heavily sharpened. You can always emulate this on an F31 by setting sharpness higher and using "chrome" mode ( I think it emulates Fuji Velvia film colours - rich, vibrant, that kind of adjective ). You only have to do this once, although you might need to experiment to get settings that suit you personally..

My personal preference is for Fuji's more natural default colours, but to each his own. I would not regard them as dull or flat myself, but that's me..

As regards focus and the rest, the Fuji will do at least as well as any other compact..

Given that you have such a fundamental discomfort with the F31 perhaps you need to look at another camera. In all things if you start looking at anything negatively it can be impossible, with the best will in the world, to shake the feeling and you may never be quite happy..

StephenG.

Fuji S9600Fuji S5200Fuji F30Fuji E900Canon A710ISPCLinuxOS..

Hi all,.

I'm still looking for your expereinces on the best model to buy; right now I'm in the direction of buying either the Canon Ixus 800 (dpreview was better for 800 than for 850!) or th Fuji. I see the advantages like:.

Fuji:+ good in low light environment- less good colours, may require fiddling outside auto mode.

IXUS 800:+ warm & natual skin colors (even in auto mode?).

I would appreciate experiences from owners, as well as new ideas! I want to buy the camera tomorrow .

Thanks,Erik Bech..

In my view it is a no-brainer..

The fuji takes reasonable natural lighting pictures in at least TWICE as dim lighting conditions than any other camera of similar size (maybe 4 times dimmer.).

This feature is of overwhelming importance; a long zoom lens and/or a nifty electric blue case are of little importance if the camera can't take a photo in the lighting situation you happen to find yourself in*..

Dave.

* I think the ability to take a photo of a 3-year-old's face lit by the candles as she blows & wishes on a birthday cake is worth a LOT...

Bech wrote:.

I see the advantages like:.

Fuji:+ good in low light environment- less good colours, may require fiddling outside auto mode.

I've never seen a problem with the colour balance with the Fuji. "Auto mode" is an exposure algorithm, it has little to do with the colour temperature. If you are taking shots indoors with tungsten lighting without flash, then you will get a yellow cast, because of the colour temperature of standard household tungsten lights..

The Fuji performs great outside in natural light..

IXUS 800:+ warm & natual skin colors (even in auto mode?).

Again, auto mode really does nothing for colour balance, it is an automatic exposure mode. In auto the camera evaluates the tonal values of the image an tries to guess at a shutter speed, aperture, and ISO sensitivity that will produce a well expose image. The camera is going for an average 13-18% value. If there are a lot of bright values in the frame then it will be fooled into under exposing; if there are a lot of dark values, you may end up with over exposure. If you want a well exposed image under difficult conditions, then you have the reason for a manual exposure mode..

I would appreciate experiences from owners, as well as new ideas! Iwant to buy the camera tomorrow .

The Fuji F31fd is a great little camera at a very reasonable price. It lacks the manual mode of more expensive cameras, and it is some what limited by it's zoom range. Colours aren't really a problem..

Brian A...