I am about tobuy a PnS camera, I don't want a SLR because I want one I can carry around in my pocket. But how come on the higher ISO settings the noise gets really bad, it is ok on 1600 but 6400 is really bad, and 3200 is noticeable noise. I was thinking of getting the COOLPIX S570 camera, if you want to see what it is just copy paste that into google.

I have never been a fan of tiny cameras. I say you goto like BestBuy and see what they got and actually use them. Don't let them talk you into something, get the one you want. :)

There will always be noise, and it will always be more noticeable in higher ISO's.
ISO 6400, what are you expecting?
Firstly, that's incredibly high for a p&s, and second, it's a point & shoot, of course it's not going to be the kind of quality a DSLR would have.

My question is why is the higher ISO a high noise? I went to bestbuy and tried them and I am like woah this is a lot of noise. I am starting to think that I should get the one with more zoom over the higher ISO due to the noise.

Even on my DSLR, I don't think that I've ever shot anything above like 1600 ISO that I actually planned on keeping..

ISO on digital cameras is how sensitive the sensor is to light. So if you have a high ISO shot, the sensor will pick up more light, but it will also record more noise. The sensor itself will produce a certain amount of noise also.
The only way to really control noise is by adjusting the other settings needed in an exposure - such as aperture and shutter speed. If anything, look for a P&S that allows you to use an extensive manual mode.

Yeah, on my DSLR I don't even shoot in 1600 iso, let alone 800 (will if I have to).

So I shouldn't consider having a large ISO for a PnS camera then, thanks!

Correct!

The problem with point and shoot cameras is that they have very small sensors which can not collect enough light so usually the camera itself has to amplify which adds huge amount of digital noise. There are actually a few compact cameras that gives reasonable high ISO performance. You really should take a look at the new Olympus EP1 ( http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympusep1/ ) and Panasonic GF1 http://www.dpreview.com/previews/PanasonicGF1/ which basically are advanced compacts with interchangeable lens.

edit: as for dslrs... The Canon Rebel series are not good high iso performers I mean I don't even dare to use ISO 400 on my XSI -.- but luckily I have a tripod

This post was edited by Futurama on Sep 16 2009 12:16am