Grainy outcomes for a Canon S50 camera at 2592px x 1994px...

[iKwak]

I checked out the photos I've taken at the maximum setting (2592 x 1994 px) using a Canon S50 powershot.
The result= grainy picture. :D

I did use AUTO setting and it was indoor ice skating rink with great lights.
Where is the problem from?

1) AUTO Setting
2) Camera is not good at max setting (I've paid lot of money, please tell me this is not true :( )
3) Indoor lighting
4) Other (do you know?)


Thanks for your help(

[iKwak]

You know what. I looked closely at the photo and noticed that the closer the subject was, the better the output was. I would think it has to do with light mainly as the subjects on the back was more grainy.

Let me know if I am wrong or right. Thanks.

[eastcoast909]

As you have noticed, even though a rink seems to have great lighting, when you try to take a picture it is really quite dark compared to outside. If you have a chance to look at the exif data on the picture I think that you will find that you:

a. took the picture with a zoom setting, which results in less light (smaller aperture),
b. took the picture with a higher iso setting than 100, which results in higher noise on the small P&S like the S50,
c. used a fairly fast shutter speed, which also results in less light.

The whole result of this is for inadequate lighting for pictures with little noise. There are programs out there which will allow you to reduce the noise (smooth) so that it is less noticable, but you will loose some of the sharpness.

If it is your hope to get great action shots in a skating rink (its mine) then ultimately you are going to have to go to a SLR (digital or film) and a fairly fast lens :cry: $$$.

If you are doing stills then you can get those by going to manual and using a tripod. You will need to keep the shutter open for a longer time and camera shake will take over then.

You can help as you saw by getting as close to the subject as possible.

If you are also considering adding a teleconverter lens (2X) or otherwise be cautioned that you will loose more light (approximately 2 f-stops).

I have in the past used a Sony (gasp!) Mavica in a rink that was exceptionally well lit and had fairly decent results. It has a larger diameter lens.

Possibley the G-series Canon may have the same luck as their lenses seem to be physically larger, but I have had no experience with them.

Hopefully this has helped?

[eastcoast909]

As you have noticed, even though a rink seems to have great lighting, when you try to take a picture it is really quite dark compared to outside. If you have a chance to look at the exif data on the picture I think that you will find that you:

a. took the picture with a zoom setting, which results in less light (smaller aperture),
b. took the picture with a higher iso setting than 100, which results in higher noise on the small P&S like the S50,
c. used a fairly fast shutter speed, which also results in less light.

The whole result of this is for inadequate lighting for pictures with little noise. There are programs out there which will allow you to reduce the noise (smooth) so that it is less noticable, but you will loose some of the sharpness.

If it is your hope to get great action shots in a skating rink (its mine) then ultimately you are going to have to go to a SLR (digital or film) and a fairly fast lens :cry: $$$.

If you are doing stills then you can get those by going to manual and using a tripod. You will need to keep the shutter open for a longer time and camera shake will take over then.

You can help as you saw by getting as close to the subject as possible.

If you are also considering adding a teleconverter lens (2X) or otherwise be cautioned that you will loose more light (approximately 2 f-stops).

I have in the past used a Sony (gasp!) Mavica in a rink that was exceptionally well lit and had fairly decent results. It has a larger diameter lens.

Possibley the G-series Canon may have the same luck as their lenses seem to be physically larger, but I have had no experience with them.

Hopefully this has helped?

[iKwak]

Eastcoast909, thanks alot for your post.
You have the "same" camera as mine. I heard the S45 is better camera as it produces less red-eyes, sharper images, and does not make a certain noise (which I can clearly hear when my ear is near the camera). That noise is recorded while I take the video clips. :x