Poor performance in low lighting

[Lazza]

Hi all,
I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this but I have been having some problems with my digi and I was hoping someone may be able to clear up if there is a problem with my camera or perhaps I just need a new one.

I own a Canon Ixus 2, which of course now is quite out of date but hey it has taken some amazing photos over the last 24 months!! Anyway I have noticed that in low lighting it performs attrociously. Mainly in respect to extremely grainy photos.

I have tried all sorts of ISO settings, all to no avail. I also had problems with long shutter times in low lighting but have since resolved that due to the lense being dirty. Last night as an example I was at a wrestling event (sad I know) and I already knew not to use the flash which a lot of digi owners don't seem to know but anyway I digress. Even looking on the preview screen you could see the images were always going to be grainy.

That example is extreme though. I've used the camera in conditions which I would call dull lighting but certainly good to the naked eye and again the same problem. Does anyone know if there is an inherent weakness in the Ixus 2 when it comes to low lighting? Is there something I can change in the settings to improve things? Should I perhaps put it in for some servicing?

Any ideas or comments would be greatly appreciated.
Larry

[DocFrankenstein]

Nothing you can do about it. It's a point and shoot and it has a really small sensor. The lenses are probably are not really fast too (don't let in a lot of light)

So when you increase the ISO, the noise gets really bad.

The only solution for you would be to upgrade to an dSLR. It will cost at least 2-3 grand, but you'll be able to get a fast lens and bump the ISO.

Your pics will look much better because of the size of the sensor. It is MUCH larger than in point and shoots, produces less noise and is comparable to size of 35mm film.

Now is a good time to get into dSLR, because the 20D is coming out and you can get a wonderful camera (10D or the DRebel) for less than a grand. :)

[Lazza]

I suspected this might be the case.... the only thing that has me puzzled is that the people in front of me last night were using the Sony Cyber-whatever-its-called and they were getting crystal clear images.... however even that has a better sensor on it I think.

Anyway thanks for the advice and I will keep my eyes out!!

Larry

[Big_B]

I agree it is a problem with your sensor, but you shouldn't feel that you HAVE to get a DSLR. There are plenty of good p&s digicams out there that perform pretty well in poor lighting conditions. Ok so they may not be as good as the Drebel or whatever but they will be an improvement on what you have at the moment.

In the end it comes down to how much you shoot in these condiditons.... and how much $$$ you want to spend :)