Canon S3 IS or the FujiFilm FinePix S700

I just picked up the Canon S3 IS today and also have a Fujifilm FinePix S700 that I got about a month ago.

I don't know which to keep is my problem.

While I am liking the pictures the S3 is taking, it doesn't do too well in low light as it's highest ISO setting is 800.
The highest ISO setting on the S700 is 1600.

I am currently just taking pics with the S3 and going to take the same ones with the S700 to compare later, but I wanted some other opinions as well...

The S3 is 6.0MP while the S700 is 7.1MP.

I believe both have 10X Optical Zoom. Anyways, I just wanted some feedback as to which I should go with. Or which I should sell anyways. Thanks!!!

You're going to have to do some "pixel peeping". Mount the cameras on a tripod or a find something to sit them on (i.e. don't try to handhold). Pick a somewhat complex, dimly lit subject. Put both cameras into manual mode, set the ISO for around 400 (you rarely want to work at the highest end), meter the scene and use the same exposure on both. Open both images on you computer and check for detail and noise - which one looks better?

PS-RagE said:

You're going to have to do some "pixel peeping". Mount the cameras on a tripod or a find something to sit them on (i.e. don't try to handhold). Pick a somewhat complex, dimly lit subject. Put both cameras into manual mode, set the ISO for around 400 (you rarely want to work at the highest end), meter the scene and use the same exposure on both. Open both images on you computer and check for detail and noise - which one looks better?

Click to expand...

Ok, so I set the ISO, do I need to set the shutter speed? If so, what would be a good setting?

I'm a photo n00b when it comes to this...=)

And how dimly lit are we talking?

BrinNutz said:

Ok, so I set the ISO, do I need to set the shutter speed? If so, what would be a good setting?

I'm a photo n00b when it comes to this...=)

And how dimly lit are we talking?

Click to expand...

If you're in manual mode, you will need to set both the aperture and shutter settings individually.

With the small sensors that pint and shoot cameras have, you don't want to be using the higher ISO settings very often.

Kevlarman said:

If you're in manual mode, you will need to set both the aperture and shutter settings individually.

With the small sensors that pint and shoot cameras have, you don't want to be using the higher ISO settings very often.

Click to expand...

Meh...I'm just gonna return the S3..

I don't "need" to be spending the money on it. I could sell it for $200 and be even, but I'll just return it...

After further comparison...since I paid $163.50 for the thing from Staples yesterday, and I can use $90 worth of coupons from their Corporate office towards it, making it a $73.50 + tax Canon S3 IS I guess I'll keep it. =)

Time to start saving/looking for a helluva deal on an SLR