Just bought a Canon Powershot S5 IS digital camera and Im getting alot of noise in my pictures that should be?

Question

So I had a Sony Cybershot DSC-H10 8.1 MP camera and I wanted more features and something more similar to a DSLR without actually getting a DSLR. So I got a Canon Powershot S5 IS and I think Im being paranoid, but the pictures are coming out alot more grainy or noisy than my Sony Cybershot...

Heres 2 sample pictures (disregard the fact that I took a picture of myself lol)

On photobucket, since theyre downsized, you cant tell as much. But when its full size 8 MP its almost disgusting.

The picture of me was taken with no zoom what so ever, and no flash.The picture of the dog was taken with like 6x zoom, and no flash.

Set on Auto Setting.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a230/yelowbottlecaps/IMG_0095.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a230/yelowbottlecaps/IMG_0085.jpg

Any advice as to why theyre coming out sloppier than my Sony Cybershot would be great. And no comments like "oh the sony cybershot is better thats why" because thats not what I want to hear after spending $350. ty

Answer 1

I have read that Canon was less aggressive with noise reduction in the S5 than other manufacturers are in their cameras.  Comparison images seemed to confirm this.  Some folks think it is better that Canon leaves the noise in because other cameras are too aggressive with the noise reduction and obliterate detail from the image.  The noise was reduced greatly, but there wasn't any detail left either.  You can always use noise reduction software to fix things later.

Answer 2

Take the ISO setting off "auto" and set if for 100 ISO and then check again.  Since all P&S cameras (compact or SLR-like) have sensors up to 15 times smaller than DSLR's, your purchase may not be a big enough jump to see much difference in resolution.

High ISO's commonly increase the noise in image files and combined with such a small sensor, the pixel size is much smaller, so the only way to get decent image files would be to use low ISO settings.

The dog looks like it was shot in open shade ... you will have to set your white balance to shade to correct for the increased blue cast.