Controlling depth of field on S95

Even with f/2.0 set, I'm not getting nice and blurry backgrounds. Any ideas?

The only time I get blurry background with f/2 is when I'm really close to the subject.
Otherwise, It's just not a DSLR...
Much more portable, though.

Unfortunately the only way to get a blurry background is by getting real close to your subject due to the cameras small sensor. Theres some other factors as well but it was explained to me this was the main reason.

I'm still a beginner but trying optically zooming the full 3.8x on your subject and then have the background be as far away from your subject. The aperture will be at F4.9 but will give you a shallower depth of field vs leaving your settings at F2 not zoomed plus you'll have less lens distortion cos of the longer focal length. This is what I do with my Canon SX130 with decent results but with the Canon SX130, I'm zooming in 12x optically.

You can always doctor the photo as well. Go into elements (or whatever program you use), highlight your subject, then inverse the selection so that everything BUT your subject is highlighted.

Then blur it.

A free program called Photofiltre (spelled correctly--British) does a good job with this.

You can also shoot in macro. This sometimes works.

Ya, that's the way it goes. I guess the f/2 on this P&S camera are for letting in more light so don't even think about depth of field. Going to Mardi Gras in New Orleans in 2 days so I'm just making sure I have a handle on all my settings and what to shot that will come out looking like great photos instead of standard P&S fanfare. I'll have to focus on WHAT to shoot that doesn't require lots of depth of field. When I'm taking photos of my friends and people, use Macro Mode, extend the zoom and face detection.

Sensor size has more to do with DOF than aperture, and these have small sensors compared to your SLR kit. At 28mm f2.0, the S95 is like 18mm f6 on APS-C

Razeus wrote in post #11931134
Even with f/2.0 set, I'm not getting nice and blurry backgrounds. Any ideas?

As others have said, getting blurred backgrounds with a P&S is difficult due to the physical limitations of the components in the camera. The small sensor size is the main culprit, but without that you would not have a pocketable camera.

The best you can do is to (1) stop the lens down to f/2, (2) get close to the subject, and (3) set a long focal length , e.g., 105mm.

tgara wrote in post #11959908
As others have said, getting blurred backgrounds with a P&S is difficult due to the physical limitations of the components in the camera. The small sensor size is the main culprit, but without that you would not have a pocketable camera.

The best you can do is to (1) stop the lens down to f/2, (2) get close to the subject, and (3) set a long focal length , e.g., 105mm.

It is the best you can do, but the trouble is that, when you zoom to 105mm (equiv.), the maximum aperture available is ƒ4.9 - not the bestest aperture for narrow DoF.

xhack wrote in post #11960216
It is the best you can do, but the trouble is that, when you zoom to 105mm (equiv.), the maximum aperture available is ƒ4.9 - not the bestest aperture for narrow DoF.

Correct. As I said, there are physical limitations to a camera of this size that make it difficult to get limited DOF. This is one of those.

Look what this guy did (and, yes, he was close to the subject).

http://www.flickr.com …/a5forfighing/5​470649340/

Looks like it's been software enhanced.

That's okay. It's the end product that counts.

G'day - I have a real problem - am old and just bought this S95 for our first and only trip To UK and Europe.

Have tried P ,Tv and Av and arrived at some nice shots of grand kids at footy.

cannot get any "automatic" setting in SCN for shots I would love to take at the Military Tattoo in Scotland at night.

There is no flash allowed so with no training at all I believe that f2 in Av might be the way to go .

Please understand that I will be trying to use my tabletop tripod but who knows.

what about normal tourist shots - from TV seems the light is much softer in Europe than in Australia.

Would really appreciate any advise or suggestions you can give me - I will learn - eventually -
Kind regards

peter