SD600 taking blurry photos?

[tenth8sphere]

I just bought an SD600 because it was supposed to be a major upgrade from my old 3.1 Kodak. But almost all the photos have a 'blur' and I can't zoom in nearly as far on images as I could in my old, cheaper Kodak.

I'm a novice to camera settings, but I was hoping for at least the SAME quality as my old camera, since this has twice the mega pixels. I have a couple of days before my time is up to return it. Can anyone suggest any settings or such that I might be doing to cause this?

Lighting seems off, photos are blurry in things up close and far. I've gotten a couple 'okay' shots, but even they didn't compare to the clunky old 3.1 cameras.

Any help? I really know nothing about settings. I've got everything, I think, on auto right now...

[tenth8sphere]

Oh yes. the photos are also much DARKER, like the flash isn't lining up right or something.... none of them are bright at all

[aLFaDaRK]

Post some sample pictures to show what you mean perhaps?

[JustShootin']

It could be that you have your micro setting on. That would cause your normal distance shots to be blurry. Or the focus beam could be turned off. Check trobleshooting page 97 in your owner's manual.

[Collin85]

Under what situations are you shooting? If you are shooting under poor lighting, the camera-chosen shutter speed will tend to be low. Without stabilization (such as a tripod, firm surface, IS etc.), blurry shots may ensue.

As for the pictures being darker and the flash not firing properly, are you sure your subjects are close enough to the camera? The SD600's flash head isn't the most powerful of sorts, so subjects too far away from the camera often end up underexposed.

I agree with aLFaDaRK - you should post some example shots.

Collin

[tenth8sphere]

Thanks for the responses. I'm shooting under all conditions, indoor and out. I'll post some images here:

This image was taken several times, all but one was this bad - and even that one had blurry edges around everything. This blur is a little worse than normal, but still happens around 1 in 15 shots usually. Tried with flash on, and off.
http://img300.imageshack.us/my.php?image=203891603eu.jpg

An example of my 'typical' blur effect. This is what is in almost all my photos.
http://img157.imageshack.us/my.php?image=362372475hc.jpg

Another example of typical blur. Our old camera never had this effect on it, and it was a cheap Kodak 3.1 megapixel.
http://img259.imageshack.us/my.php?image=831425992hr.jpg

As I said above, all the photos have a blur around the edges of subjects, and are darker. I don't have any of the old camera photos here, but I'll upload one when I get home. They're just sharper and brighter.

(My focus beam (the red/orange light, right?) is on, and I've got it running on auto.)

Thanks

[Collin85]

ALL of those looks like camera shake blur. Chances are the shutter speed was simply too slow - as expected for the first two shots since they're indoors. Not so sure about the third one, there looks to be sufficient ambience light around for a decent shutter. From my knowledge, the IXUS cameras tend to prioritise high shutters over stopping down the aperture, but perhaps your shots demonstrated a few exceptions.

What shutter speeds were all those shots taken at?

Not so sure about the pics being dark though - the first two indoor pics seem adequately exposed. Perhaps you had your flash on? If your camera prioritises foreground exposure when flash is enabled, then your background may end up more underexposed. But then again this explanation has it's drawbacks since it would imply a high shutter was used (which should of prevented the blur in the first place). What time of day was the third pic taken in?

[tenth8sphere]

All of the pictures were on auto. My camera has an ISO of 800 max, and I think 400 as a 'normal' setting? I don't know much about it, but I'm pretty sure my HIGH iso is one of 800.

If this is camera shake blur, then I need to fix it. Maybe because my last camera was bigger it didn't shake as much when I held it? We NEVER got shots like these on the old camera. If this is the fault of me, does anyone have any way to tell? Maybe set it on a table and take the picture?

Can anyone recommend a small camera (I wanted one to go in my pocket) that won't be blurry like this if it IS shake blur? I can still return this one and pick up another.

As for darkness, I'll post another photo when I get home, but the old camera may have had a brighter flash or something, because the photos were all bright, these are almost like underdeveloped 35mm photos...

[rabidcow]

those were taken at 1/20 or slower it looks like (EXIF) so there is the problem. The shutter speed is just too slow.

[tenth8sphere]

Rabidcow,

What can I do about it?? I've already tried taking some on ISO 800, and they still had the blur...

[rabidcow]

are you using the flash? if so then you might have a problem in full auto in regards to the camera meter, or you might just have bad batteries that cannot charge the capacitor fast enough. I have little experience with point and shoots, so my advice will not be all that great, I just know that your slow shutter speed is the cause of your blurry images.

[SMSphoto]

My husband bought this camera a few months ago as a "take along" camera he could keep in his pocket. Although our photos aren't as severe as yours, I think the quality is lousy. I haven't been able to get a good shot out of it yet, no matter what settings I use. Terrible red eye, mostly out of focus, noise, dark, etc. I really do not like this camera at all. The first Canon I ever met that I didn't like :(

[tenth8sphere]

SMS Photo,

Thanks for the input. I guess I'll mess around with it a little tonight, and then send it back tomorrow for a refund if I can't get it working satisfactorily.

Can anyone recommend a high-qualty small take-along camera?? I really wanted something that could slip in my pocket.

[JustShootin']

Your pictures were taken at shutter speeds as low as 1/13. That's just too slow for handheld use. The same would be true with any camera. I have the 600, and I can get fantastic pictures with it. They are not out of focus, they are very clear and sharp. I have blown several up to 8X10 with great results. However, the flash is very weak, and taking inside pictures with low light is somewhat of a challenge. The SD600 is a good camera that takes good pictures, but if you plan to take many indoor, low light photos, it may not be the camera for you.

[tenth8sphere]

Just Shootin,

The camera is on auto though, so how do I increase the shutter speed? You say yours turn out fine, and the shutterspeed in my problem - but how do I fix it? All I do is take pictures with auto settings...

Is there another portable camera with stronger flash? Maybe the 700, 800, 900 or a Nikon model?

[Jon]

All of the pictures were at very slow shutter speeds, and none of them used flash according to the EXIF data. Have you turned the flash off? What mode were you shooting in? Remember, in full Auto it doesn't use the higher ISO settings; if you want to use them, you'l need to use Camera Manual (the camera with the "M" on it on the settings dial, not the book, although reading the book is always helpful). In addition, using the LCD display as a viewfinder encourtages you to hold the camera out at arms length, and you're much shakier that way. Using the optical viewfinder to take the picture once you've figured out what the picture should look like on the LCD will give you a more stable camera hold.

[bigjim]

I bought my wife an SD600 for Christmas, so we'd have something to carry along to family things, etc., besides my 300D. We've taken quite a few pictures with it -- indoors and out -- and I have not seen any problems of the sort you are running into. I can post some if you'd like to see our results. Maybe the camera has a defect?

Jim

[lostdoggy]

Shoot in P mode go to function and select at least 100 ISO set flash to auto ( lightning bolt w/ an A next to it) hold camera closer to body. Half press the shutter button until you see the greenbox/es on display or viewfinder (if applies) now your focus is locked and your exposure is locked. Look to the bottom of the screen or finder and you'll see the shutter speed to the left and the aperature in the center. You should have at least 1/60" for shutter speed if not increase ISO or turn on flash. Now if all is good hold you breath and gently squeeze the shutter button. Do not push the button down hard its an electrical button it doesn't need a lot of force to activate the shutter. Also don't move for a second until the shutter sound is done. If you don't hear the shutter sound then turn it on from menu button/audio/shutter sound.

[R B L]

Newbie here. When you say Aperature of 1/60....When I bring up the AV menu of my Canon A630, I see F5.6 on the bottom. How does that translate to 1/60?

Thanks!
Russ

[Jon]

It doesn't. Lostdoggy said '1/60" for shutter speed'. The shutter speed's on the left of your screen; the aperture in the center. Too low a shutter speed's the culprit here. You can't set the shutter speed in Av mode; you need to use Tv or M to do that. In Av or P modes you have to take what the camera will give you.

[tenth8sphere]

My SD600 is on its way back to be returned

[tenth8sphere]

Can anyone recommend a good TINY camera that takes good shots (preferably in auto)?

[aLFaDaRK]

Hmm did you try the settings people suggested to try and fix the problem? It really looked like motion blue from slow shutter speeds, nothing more.

But if you must get another camera, I'd say any canon compact is good for auto mode.

[lostdoggy]

Here is 2 test shot w/ a Canon SD30 which is similar to the SD600 only w/ 5MP and smaller LCD screen:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/lostdoggy/POTN%20uploads/IMG_0062.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/lostdoggy/POTN%20uploads/IMG_0082.jpg

[Collin85]

My SD600 is on its way back to be returned

I have my doubts that there is anything wrong with the camera. Low shutter speed seems to be the problem, and getting another compact camera won't really fix it.

[JustShootin']

I have my doubts that there is anything wrong with the camera. Low shutter speed seems to be the problem, and getting another compact camera won't really fix it.

I also believe there's nothing wrong with your camera that a faster shutter speed won't take care of.

[tenth8sphere]

There may or may not have been a problem with the camera. But I tried all of the suggestions on the board - the one that helped most was adjusting the 'exposure time' option. However, even this had blurry effects in the photos.

I also tried setting it on a flat surface with the timer on to take a shot, and THAT photo was blurry (not as bad, but still worse than my old camera, and noticable even without zooming). So regardless of if its a manufacturing problem, or a flash strength problem, or just a settings problem, if it couldn't take a clear photo when sitting still on a desk, then it was never going to work for me.

I'm still interested in suggestions for other cameras, maybe ones that have more adjustment options for shutter speeds? Generally, I just want a quality compact camera.

[lostdoggy]

I suggest the SD700 IS but that would be around $350-$399 or a little large camera such as the A710IS around $249-$349.

[cain]

I am having the same problem with my SD600 taking blurry pictures. I have had this camera since Christmas. Indoor pictures are terrible. Outdoor pictures are better. The only place the flash seems to work is in totally pitch dark otherwise it is best to leave it off. Pictures are blurry and I have tried most all the auto and manual settings and different iso settings. One picture in ten might come out good. I have read so many good reviews about this camera. Before this camera I had a Fuji 1400x that took excellent pictures. I wish this SD600 took half that good of pictures.

Any other suggestions on what could be wrong? It seems like there is something wrong with the computer part of the camera.

[JustShootin']

After using the SD600 for a while, I became very dis-satisfied with it. I sold it at a loss. I went back to my old Olympus 3 MP. It's slower, and a bit bigger, but it will take a better picture evry time!

[Jon]

One very important thing to remember when you're using one of these tiny cameras is that, especially if you're using the LCD as your viewfinder, they're extremely susceptible to camera shake when you press the shutter release. If you use the optical viewfinder instead, you'll do much better, since you can use your forehead as an additional brace point.

[Jon]

An example
162942,
with 100% crop
162943
And before you say ""Sure, but you're an expert", these were taken by my wife, with her first camera (other than a drugstore throwaway) since I've known her, about 2 weeks and 40 pictures (including movies). No instructions from me other than to use the viewfinder, not the LCD. When she took this I was a good couple of thousand miles away.

[davidfig]

For a recommendation, I'd say get the cheapest canon and you will be happy. My first camera was a A75 which I still have, my daughters have the A540 and A610. They all take great pictures for P&S.

[StealthLude]

SD600 is a fine camera, I bought my girlfriend one and she understands the concept of high iso, low light, and shutter speed.

Might want to try holding still when shooting in low light. I find the images off her camrea are more than acceptable in low light.

[JustShootin']

An example
162942,
with 100% crop
162943
And before you say ""Sure, but you're an expert".

Sorry, but there's nothing about these samples that brought the word "expert" to my mind. :lol:

[Jon]

Sorry, but there's nothing about these samples that brought the word "expert" to my mind. :lol:
Just didn't want all the "SD600's so blurry" types thinking that sharp was something they couldn't do with it. Could you do that with no experience or lessons/training? The SD600 is a fine camera; but every camera (and lens) has to be used in its own way. You can't shoot with an SD600 the same way you would with a 1D, or an S3, or a Kodak DC265. They're built differently and they handle differently. You can't carry shooting technique from one over to the other.

[padylyn]

Hi,
Your first two photos look very like some which I got when I accidently set my camera to 'Slow Synchro' on.

Regards
padylyn

[cain]

Would the Image Stabilization that the SD700 has take care of the blur problem.

Before I bought this camera I did a lot of research. The SD600 came highly recommended in most of the reviews. I thought the purpose of a point and shoot camera was to point and shoot. I was totally wrong on that aspect! I am very fustrated with this camera and I would sell it if anyone is interested.

I have tried everything I can tink of and then some and can't get a good picture.

http://img402.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img1600ci9.jpg

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/5022/img1585jn1.jpg

http://img402.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img1615lt5.jpg

[Jon]

The conditions you're trying to shoot in (in your sample pictures) are tough for any P&S camera. Your best bet is to set the ISO as high as you can, and even then it won't be enough. IS won't help for basketball except while someone's lining up a foul shot, since it only stops camera shake, not subject motion. But if you want to photograph basketball inside a (high school?) gym, figure on getting at least a 30D and an f/1.8-f/2 lens so you get a fast lens and a high ISO. A couple of things you might do to help with shake - either use the camera's viewfinder instead of the LCD to compose with or get a monopod to steady the camera with. If they won't let you take a monopod into the gym, get a trekking pole with removable top and tripod screw under it. A set of poles won't work - they don't have tripod screws, but a single pole usually does, and you use it as a cane to get in the door. That will help you steady you and the camera. Stopping the action's a different problem.