Tom I wouldn't disagree with the noise issues -  they are there once you get to ISO400. I don't think they are any worse than any other camera with a small sensor. Some employ greater noise reduction in their processing but that leaves you with a less sharp blocky type image - the dilema of noise reduction and how much.

And every one said, 'If we only live,
We too will go to sea in a Sieve,---
To the hills of the Chankly Bore!'
Far and few, far and few, Are the lands where the Jumblies live;
Their heads are green, and their hands are blue, And they went to sea in a Sieve.

Edward Lear
http://www.nonsenselit.org/Lear/ns/jumblies.html