FujiFilm S3400 - Please help!

[gemmalouise]

Hi this is my first time posting and I hope I have posted in the right section!
I recently got a Fujifilm FinePix S3400 as a graduation/birthday present and I am really not happy with the image quality! The info says that it takes clear, sharp images however none of mine so far have come out that way.

Ive put here some examples of photos taken using the Auto setting. The image is noisy and grainy and I feel it looks like its been taken on a mobile camera! I took the same image with the same settings on my much older Canon Ixus 80 which gives me a better photo.

I really wanted to know if anyone else owns this camera and is having the same problems as me before I take it back as im not sure if there is a fault or if it is just me. Its like every photo I take without flash comes out noisy and even with the flash (and camera steady) the images are not sharp.

All I wanted was a camera better than I have now where I would be able to play around with settings as well as use the auto feature for quick, quality shots which wasnt as bulky as an SLR. Any advice is appreciated.

Taken with S3400

Taken with Canon

 

[HoppyUK]

The two cameras have different exposure algorithms, the main difference being that the Fuji has delivered an exposure of 1/20sec at ISO800 and the Canon has opted for 1/8sec at ISO200, basically trading greater risk of movement blur against reduced noise.

The main problem is low light. Try them both outside in good light and there won't be much in it.