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To compare noise levels under real-life conditions we shot this scene with the Fujifilm FinePix F60fd, Canon IXUS 870IS / SD 880IS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77 within a few moments of each other using each of their ISO settings. The lenses on each camera were adjusted to deliver the same field of view. Where coarse increments prevented an exact match using the zoom alone, the camera’s position was moved slightly back or forth to compensate.

The image above was taken with the Fujifilm FinePix F60fd at a sensitivity of 100 ISO, with the lens at 9mm (equivalent to 39mm); the exposure was 1/8 of a second at f3 and the original 12M F JPEG file measured 4.29MB. The crops are taken from an area just to the right of the centre and presented at 100%.

The FinePix F60fd starts its sensitivity range at 100 ISO, where it may capture a decent amount of detail, but you don’t need to be a pixel-peeper to see a fine sprinkling of noise in the background that’s not apparent on the other cameras.

This continues at 200 and 400 ISO, where the speckles become more obvious on the F60fd, but remain absent on the Sony and Canon crops. It’s important to note the amount of recorded detail though is similar on all three cameras at each sensitivity so far. The difference in visible noise levels is mostly down to alternative processing and noise reduction strategies. Clearly Fujifilm is taking a more hand-off approach compared to its rivals, and while noise speckles are more apparent as a result, the F60fd is avoiding the smearing and chroma artefacts seen on the others, especially at 400 ISO.

At 800 ISO and above, all three models take a significant turn for the worse, although the F60fd suffers from quite unique-looking noise patterns compared to its rivals, which we can only assume is down to its SuperCCD sensor. In our gallery we’ve achieved a reasonable shot at 800 ISO, but it’s best-reserved for smaller reproductions.

At 1600 ISO and above, the quality, like all compacts, plummets. The 3200 and 6400 ISO options, operating at reduced resolutions of 6 and 3 Megapixels respectively are not particularly useful.

Now head over to our Fujifilm FinePix F60fd Gallery to see some more real-life shots in a variety of conditions.

Fujifilm FinePix F60fd		Canon IXUS 870IS / SD 880IS		Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77
80 ISO not available		80 ISO		80 ISO
100 ISO		100 ISO		100 ISO
200 ISO		200 ISO		200 ISO
400 ISO		400 ISO		400 ISO
800 ISO		800 ISO		800 ISO
1600 ISO		1600 ISO		1600 ISO
3200 ISO		3200 ISO (at 2 Megapixels)
6400 ISO		6400 ISO not available