The A570IS is a terrific camera that's great for a beginner or even somebody more advanced. It's not that small though, compared to some, and the flash takes a while to recharge, but otherwise, a cracking camera..

Only the Fuji F31fd will beat it, and then in only one area - low light without flash. If that's mega important to you, maybe look at the Fuji. Otherwise, get the Canon if you can live with the size (it's not that big)..

Androohttp://Androo.smugmug.com..

Andrew Butterfield wrote:.

The A570IS is a terrific camera that's great for a beginner or evensomebody more advanced. It's not that small though, compared tosome, and the flash takes a while to recharge, but otherwise, acracking camera..

Only the Fuji F31fd will beat it, and then in only one area - lowlight without flash. If that's mega important to you, maybe look atthe Fuji. Otherwise, get the Canon if you can live with the size(it's not that big)..

Androohttp://Androo.smugmug.com.

My vote is with Andrew. I have and love the Fuji f31. Small, compact and great image quality.Conrad 'Bye Bye' Birdie'Aspire to inspire before you expire'...

Me too:.

Andrew said..."Only the Fuji F31fd will beat it, and then in only one area - low light without flash. If that's mega important to you, maybe look at the Fuji...".

That is a serious understatement in my view. The Fuji will often be the difference between a picture or no picture. It is "only one area" but being able to take a picture is of absolute importance..

Looking at actual test data it is clear that the Fuji will take successful pictures in natural lighting situations two to four times dimmer than the competition..

It'll capture a child's expression while blowing out the candles on a cake, lit only by the candles! In my view that alone is sufficient reason to go with one of the Fuji F series cameras..

A camera's nifty body color or clever dials are of no use at all when it is too dark for it to take a picture..

Dave..

Hi,thank you for your replys,thats good enough for me then,just a quick one though.is it worth paying $40-$50 more to get the f40fd,i have not even compared side by side I'm happy to go with what you guys say and do you know what walk-in store I could buy it from,it works out $60-$70 cheaper if I buy when I'm in the U.S in sept rather than rainy ireland,thanks again..

Tjalana wrote:.

Hi,thank you for your replys,thats good enough for me then,just aquick one though.is it worth paying $40-$50 more to get the f40fd,ihave not even compared side by side I'm happy to go with what youguys say and do you know what walk-in store I could buy it from,itworks out $60-$70 cheaper if I buy when I'm in the U.S in septrather than rainy ireland,thanks again.

My opinion is no. I would buy the F31fd. The F31fd is rated higher and the customer reviews of the F31fd are much better also. But the choice is yours of course.Conrad 'Bye Bye' Birdie'Aspire to inspire before you expire'...

Dpreview's review of the F31fd makes it look like the F30 is a little better at high ISO, but I don't know how it plays out in practice...

PS now that we've convinced you of how great the Fuji F series is, we* do not want to be held responsible when you discover they don't really work in pitch darkness..

Dave.

*at least I do not want to be held responsible. You can blame the others...

Is it worth paying $40-$50 more to get the f40fd,.

NO. The F31fd is in fact the higher-end model even though it's cheaper. Don't be fooled by the extra megapixels. The F40 is a kid's camera in comparison and doesn't have the same qualities that make the F31 famous..

Androohttp://Androo.smugmug.com..

Dave Martin wrote:.

Me too:Andrew said..."Only the Fuji F31fd will beat it, and then in onlyone area - low light without flash. If that's mega important toyou, maybe look at the Fuji..."That is a serious understatement in my view..

The A570IS offers an image stabiliser. In many situations this will easily compensate for the F31fd's better high ISO performance. The Canon also has a 4x zoom and better access to manual controls. It probably takes photos in daylight better for the average person too and uses AA batteries, which some (admitedly not me) prefer. It has a better macro too..

I wouldn't dismiss it so easily. On the whole, I think I'd get the Canon. But would be happy either way..

Androohttp://Androo.smugmug.com..

I live in rainy Ireland ( and it is raining  ) and planning to put my F30 up for sale. Email me at sg at euroapps dot com if that's of interest..

And I agree that the F30/31fd would be better than the F40. The F40 has a different sensor. In all honesty I'd point you more towards the F31fd which has face detection which your folks might prefer. I think fd is over-rated a bit, but it works..

StephenG.

Fuji S9600Fuji S5200Fuji F30Fuji E900Canon A710ISPCLinuxOS..

If you want good low light you need the Fuji Super CCD (F31 or S6000). You don't need to look further. Really it's that good. Search online for the $50 rebate..

If you want a camera with a good zoom and still small, get the Panasonic TZ3. Slightly better for sunny days and a 10x zoom puts it in it's own class. Its low light is on par with the S3 and others, but over 200 ISO the F31 blows it away..

If you want good video and zoom and can forgo some pocketability, go for the Canon S3. Very fast zoom and near miniDV quality video..

I bought all three and kept the top two. The S3 was just too big to carry around all the time. Good luck...

Hey everyone,thanks so much for your time and advice F31fd it is then. sjgcit thanks for the offer but I'm one of those people that has to buy brand new but thanks again,tj..

This is fine - it means I don't have to part with the F30 just yet. .

StephenG.

Fuji S9600Fuji S5200Fuji F30Fuji E900Canon A710ISPCLinuxOS..