help with S3 IS

Hey everyone, I'm new to this forum, so...these questions my have been asked, but...here it goes:

I love my camera, but my husband has trouble with it all the time. He says that when it is on auto...he always has problems. He says that it is either the focus is off, the flash doesn't work or he can't capture the action. Is there some advice that I could give him to make an easy point and shoot picture? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank!

I don't think we can help, your problem description is too vague. One thing for sure, in auto mode you have little control so things like flash activity are decided by the camera. It is better to learn a few basics of photography, put the camera in one of the manual modes (A, T or M) and ensure the camera is doing what you want.

Most point and shoot digital cameras make it hard to capture action, they have long delays between shutter release and image capture. You have to learn the timing and anticipate. Also learn to pan with the camera for action.

I don't know why focus would be off. Focussing is typically very straight forward with P&S cameras.

In my old S2 and current S3 you can get the shutter to activate before camera in focus. I learned this the hard way with many out of focus photos. In most film cameras the shutter will not activate until camera is in focus. Seems different with digital, especially P&S

What worked for me with S2 and S3. Push shutter button 1/2, gentle pressure on it. Watch the focus "square" and wait until it turns green then increase pressure and depress the button all the way to activate shutter. If you push it "all the way" while camera is trying to focus it will take out of focus picture.

If long delay in focus going green release pressure on button and start over. Sometimes moving to new focus point - sharp edge or more contrast will get it to work.

So simple - don't depress shutter button all the way until focus square turns green.

That could be the problem. If he's pushing the shutter button all the way on the first press.
Another thing is that the S3 has a hard time focusing in low-light, and in low-light at telephoto ranges. Sometimes its good to go into Av mode or P mode and select "Manual Focus" and then just shoot away. Hope these suggestions help, it's a great camera.

I use mine mainly in P ( program) mode.

Thanks so much to all of you who replied. You gave me great ideas and I can't wait to try them. Forgive me for taking so long to respond. After the first reply to my question...I gave up on my post, to bring me any real solutions. I was wrong! I will continue to use this site! You guys are great!

Use the 'P' (Program) mode as S.C. recommended. By using this mode the camera will automatically select the Aperature & Shutter speed like in the Auto mode, but in Program you have more control. For example, if you don't like the shutter speed you can change it then the camera will automatically adjust the aperature or the other way around. Plus you can control when you want to use the flash or adjust the exposure compensation. In Auto you can't do any of these things. For action shots, try focusing on your subject or something that is the same distance where your subject will be during the action by pressing the shutter half way. Then wait for the action to happen & press the shutter all the way down to capture your action. I used this technique all the time when I had my P&S. Lastly...practice, practice, practice on kids, pets, moving cars, etc.