I continue to be amazed at all the complaints about the F200EXR and its high ISO performance. I will stretch a bit and presume that, shot correctly (as documented on my blog for example), the F200EXR is as good as the F70EXR.

And the F70EXR is really very, very good.

See: http://kimletkeman.blogspot.com/2009/11/f70exr-is-high-iso-good-enough-to-shoot.html

So what is going on? Why are some people adamant that the F200EXR cams suck at 1600ISO?

My guess is that we have the usual perfect storm going on ...

1) Pixel peeping at 100%
2) Crappy or uncalibrated monitor that emphasizes noise far too much (hint, just because a junk monitor shows extra noise, does not mean it is really there.)
3) A lack of experience with sufficient cameras to understand how good these really are at 1600.

You can also add a 4th ...

4) Not testing images in prints or on web ...

And a fifth ...

5) Can't get that lovely smeared F30 look out of their heads :-)

So ... for those who think these cams stink at 1600 ISO, consider both how you shoot them and how you view the results.

--
http://letkeman.net/Photos
http://kimletkeman.blogspot.com