VERY blurry pictures. Ok maybe I just don't know how to use the thing, but here's the situation I was practicing in. I was in my kitchen, plenty of light, it was night time. I tried EVERY setting....P, A, S, simple mode. And I was as steady as I could be, and they ALL came out blurry. What am I doing wrong??? I shot with the flash and didn't like the look of the picture. I wanted the natural lighting from the kitchen lights, which thru my viewfinder looked perfect. was my ISO to high? I have no idea what it was set on. Help! I really want to like this camera, but if all I'm going to get is blur then I'm going to hate it. VERY blurry pictures. Ok maybe I just don't know how to use the thing, but here's the situation I was practicing in. I was in my kitchen, plenty of light, it was night time. I tried EVERY... » Read More VERY blurry pictures. Ok maybe I just don't know how to use the thing, but here's the situation I was practicing in. I was in my kitchen, plenty of light, it was night time. I tried EVERY setting....P, A, S, simple mode. And I was as steady as I could be, and they ALL came out blurry. What am I doing wrong??? I shot with the flash and didn't like the look of the picture. I wanted the natural lighting from the kitchen lights, which thru my viewfinder looked perfect. was my ISO to high? I have no idea what it was set on. Help! I really want to like this camera, but if all I'm going to get is blur then I'm going to hate it. « Show Less
880640
Set the control to S (Shutter Priority). Set the shutter speed to 1/30 or faster. Take a picture and if it is too dark adjust the ISO to the next higher number (if it is 100 make it 200). Keep in mind that higher ISO settings will add noise to the image. Really the best thing to do is take out the book for the camera, sit down with the book and the camera and go through each control and setting and understand how each affects the image produced. Plan on a couple of hours going back and forth, trying different things. Then the next time you want to take a picture, you will set the camera and shoot.Best of luck with your photography. Set the control to S (Shutter Priority). Set the shutter speed to 1/30 or faster. Take a picture and if it is too dark adjust the ISO to the next higher number (if it is 100 make it 200). Keep in mind that higher ISO settings will add noise to the image. Really the best thing to do is take out the book for the camera, sit down with the book and the camera and go through each control and setting and understand how each affects the image produced. Plan on a couple of hours going back and forth, trying different things. Then the next time you want to take a picture, you will set... » Read More Set the control to S (Shutter Priority). Set the shutter speed to 1/30 or faster. Take a picture and if it is too dark adjust the ISO to the next higher number (if it is 100 make it 200). Keep in mind that higher ISO settings will add noise to the image. Really the best thing to do is take out the book for the camera, sit down with the book and the camera and go through each control and setting and understand how each affects the image produced. Plan on a couple of hours going back and forth, trying different things. Then the next time you want to take a picture, you will set the camera and shoot.Best of luck with your photography. « Show Less
880641
Did you ever resolve the problem? I'm having the same problem. I can't get a quality picture something standing perfectly still - like my christmas tree! My ISO is set to 100.
880642
Make sure you dont have this camera set to automatic ISO, set it on 100 or 200 ISO(cant use 100 ISO in simple mode) if you have to...any ISO above 100 actualy will KILL your sharp picture in a heart beat...the other problem is, the apture and shutter speed has to make up for what LOW ISO is missing, (you need slower Shutter and larger apture size) will have to make up for the ISO sensitivity and youll get more blur, a tripod helps, even a mono pod to steady the camera a bit...no matter how good your shake control is, it wont be perfect by a mile...I checked the Kodak and found a few quality control problems on the internet reviews, not on this camera have i found any issues with quality... Make sure you dont have this camera set to automatic ISO, set it on 100 or 200 ISO(cant use 100 ISO in simple mode) if you have to...any ISO above 100 actualy will KILL your sharp picture in a heart beat...the other problem is, the apture and shutter speed has to make up for what LOW ISO is missing, (you need slower Shutter and larger apture size) will have to make up for the ISO sensitivity and youll get more blur, a tripod helps, even a mono pod to steady the camera a bit...no matter how good your shake control is, it wont be perfect by a mile...I checked the Kodak and found a... » Read More Make sure you dont have this camera set to automatic ISO, set it on 100 or 200 ISO(cant use 100 ISO in simple mode) if you have to...any ISO above 100 actualy will KILL your sharp picture in a heart beat...the other problem is, the apture and shutter speed has to make up for what LOW ISO is missing, (you need slower Shutter and larger apture size) will have to make up for the ISO sensitivity and youll get more blur, a tripod helps, even a mono pod to steady the camera a bit...no matter how good your shake control is, it wont be perfect by a mile...I checked the Kodak and found a few quality control problems on the internet reviews, not on this camera have i found any issues with quality... « Show Less
880643
A review on the FZ7 indicated that AF (autofocus) needed to be on and just to press the button 1/2 way - wait for AF to work (a fewseconds) - then press full. Solved his problems. 2 or 3 reviewers stated same. Low ISOwas a "gimmee" w/o flash. Try autofocus (you are not using zoom and have light.
880644
I think you need to use the "M" manual mode to set it. Otherwise, using the "S" setting allows the camera to prioritize the highest shutter speed under the conditions with the aperture to adjust to the correct exposure. When the aperture is at the maximum, the the shutter adjusts to a slower speed for the correct exposure.
880645
Thanks but what I'd like to understand is how it can be working perfectly one day, shut off while not in use, then the next time I turn it on, the image on the LCD screen is blurred, I haven't even pressed the shutter release yet, (and wouldn't due to the blurred and dark image). How can that happen? Why is there a need to adjust ISO settings when they haven't been touched?!
1012646
Hi, Suzanne, with regard to the washed out photos when took with flash, check the ISO level (sensor sensivity to light), perhaps ISO is set too high (400-800-1600)? Set ISO to 160 or 200. I suggest you to exercise a lot changing the camera controls and you'll learn the differences and how to manage it. With flash off, check to set Vibration reduction in OFF when using tripod, and reversely, set it in ON when using handheld. Also try to take lot of pictures in Auto, Scene Mode, Night Landscape, Night Portrait, etc. and see what suits better. Print the PDF manual (220 pages) and read it carefully and check controls and take pictures as you read it. Remember that you get a red box in the screen when the camera cannot focus. So move the camera back or front, and focus again. I bought this camera on July 2011 and it has a personality specially when focusing but I've got beautiful pictures. And I love the zoom, panorama mode and the capacity of taking pictures in low light . Hope this helps you!!
515662
I bought it a month ago and am frustrated. I need to spend some time going through the manual and really learn how to use it. It is a point and shoot camera but not really as far as ease of use. I was at an indoor christmas party and couldn't get the flash to work. 2 other people tried as well and we gave up. But its not the camera's fault...just need to really read the manual and learn how to use it. If you aren't willing to spend the time, don't get it. If so, it looks like a really great camera and takes beautiful pictures. The videos are crisp and clear, good sound. I also love the zoom. I can't wait to find out what this camera can really do! I bought it a month ago and am frustrated. I need to spend some time going through the manual and really learn how to use it. It is a point and shoot camera but not really as far as ease of use. I was at an indoor christmas party and couldn't get the flash to work. 2 other people tried as well and we gave up. But its not the camera's fault...just need to really read the manual and learn how to use it. If you aren't willing to spend the time, don't get it. If so, it looks like a really great camera and takes beautiful pictures. The videos are crisp and clear, good sound. I also love the... » Read More I bought it a month ago and am frustrated. I need to spend some time going through the manual and really learn how to use it. It is a point and shoot camera but not really as far as ease of use. I was at an indoor christmas party and couldn't get the flash to work. 2 other people tried as well and we gave up. But its not the camera's fault...just need to really read the manual and learn how to use it. If you aren't willing to spend the time, don't get it. If so, it looks like a really great camera and takes beautiful pictures. The videos are crisp and clear, good sound. I also love the zoom. I can't wait to find out what this camera can really do! « Show Less
2239181
Hi Lisa, I took pictures at an indoor water park. The pictures came out okay. I just scrapbook the pictures, I don't typically blow them up to 5x7 or 8x10. So, for my use the pictures are fine. The fast movements were a little blurry. I have not taken any underwater pictures yet. I took the camera outside for our school snow days. Those pictures in the sunlight were bright and colorful. The fast movements came out okay. I have a few inside pictures during the day and they look pretty good. I have one picture taken at night in my bedroom. My navy blue shirt looks great, but my face is a little orange/yellow and the bedroom in the background is not crisp at all. I think the lighting is responsible for that. I have a few movies on the camera, but can't play them. They are MOV. I tried Quicktime, movie maker, media player. I'll have to play around with it. I hope I don't have to convert these. So, at the moment I can't give you any information on the movies. I wanted the camera to take out to the pool and so far it seems like it will work great for our use. Please let me know if I can help with any else. I'm not sure what you mean by artifacts. I don't think graininess is an issue, but I'm just a mom taking pictures of kids and my photography knowledge is limited.
1924990
I just got mine in the mail today and tried a few small videos around the house and am having video quality issues as well. I would say I'm not even getting 480i quality. The image is incredibly speckly (non-static blotches moving around in the darks). Looks the same whether I play it on my HDTV or on my computer (plenty fast for HD video). What am I doing wrong? Tried wiping the lens with a lens cloth...no effect. Batteries weren't charged yet, but since it's digital, not sure that should make a difference.Also, as a side note, do the people who are getting good quality use the digital zoom at all, or does it degrade your resolution by half? I just got mine in the mail today and tried a few small videos around the house and am having video quality issues as well. I would say I'm not even getting 480i quality. The image is incredibly speckly (non-static blotches moving around in the darks). Looks the same whether I play it on my HDTV or on my computer (plenty fast for HD video). What am I doing wrong? Tried wiping the lens with a lens cloth...no effect. Batteries weren't charged yet, but since it's digital, not sure that should make a difference.Also, as a side note, do the people who are getting good quality use the... » Read More I just got mine in the mail today and tried a few small videos around the house and am having video quality issues as well. I would say I'm not even getting 480i quality. The image is incredibly speckly (non-static blotches moving around in the darks). Looks the same whether I play it on my HDTV or on my computer (plenty fast for HD video). What am I doing wrong? Tried wiping the lens with a lens cloth...no effect. Batteries weren't charged yet, but since it's digital, not sure that should make a difference.Also, as a side note, do the people who are getting good quality use the digital zoom at all, or does it degrade your resolution by half? « Show Less
1869270
If you make sure to use the "Night Snapshot" mode and not the usual "Auto" mode, it's takes shots that are quite good. Also, I find that if you set the camera to "Manual" and have the ISO set to 200 and the +/- set to -2/3 with the colour setting on "Vivid" and the exposure set to "Center weighted", with a slightly steady hand, you can take good indoor shots without a flash.
954748
Hands down, indoor low light is the most difficult for this camera. I find that using the 'action' scene mode helps alot. The picture comes out better and the flash seems to go quicker after you press the button. Since you posted your comment last October, hopefully you've found some ways to improve the pictures that you can share with us.
1751157
I am also VERY frustrated with this. Many of my pictures are coming out blurry despite holding the button half way down to focus before firing. The manual is mute on the subject. I just called Canon and they were basically no help---just said to make sure the flash was up when firing inside. I have the SD card in that it came with. Any other ideas??Thanks!!!!!!
1458830
Hi Edward. I had a few of my pictures turn out the same way. I was holding the camera wrong and my finger was covering the lens. You do need to have quite a bit of light to take a good picture. Works better on outside shots. Good luck. It is a fun little camera. I do enjoy ours.
1215022
I've found that the camera takes blurry pictures indoors, when the subjects are more than 6 feet away from the flash, when the handshake mode is on, or in general low light. The blur is not hand motion, it is color dithering from the too-small sensor, too-slow lens, and poor color processing. As for motion blur, even in sunlight I have to hold the camera extra still. I have had better luck with 64 speed slide film and an f4.0 lens.
166141
Hi Joel, i re-read what other people say about this cam..pls read Vance Marshall's comments too, it sums up what poorly it does. the touch screen is not as responsive. it doesn't function in indoor low lighting..its program robot kept focusing in low light, in fact won't do the job afterall. i didnt return this cuz the hassle of returning + it's only a hundred bux..i tried it in well lit indoor, the resulting photo was grainy. i know what im talking about cuz i also own a D-90..this is only CUTE AND TINY..is all..not for a real photographer..i bought another coolpix before = S3000 cuz of Ashton Kutcher commercial..that sucked too! i gave it away..the only reason i kept buying Nikon is bc the big dslr's are good..aside from D90 i have a d5100.. this sounds ridiculous telling i have cameras..i am just comparing the cool pix to dslrs..hope this helps!
322538
Sorry to be asking such basic, ignorant questions about aspect ratio, but someone was messing with my camera and changed all the settings -- and now the pictures all look as if they were taken in the fog. Both the light and images are off. Can someone tell me what the basic aspect ratio setting is? Also, I'm using this camera as a point and shoot and never using the manual settings -- which I know is a waste of a nice camera. Anyone know a good online tutorial? The instruction manual literally puts me to sleep, and confuses me. I am really a novice here, and the manual seems to make assumptions about F stop, aspect ratio etc.thanks so much / Sorry to be asking such basic, ignorant questions about aspect ratio, but someone was messing with my camera and changed all the settings -- and now the pictures all look as if they were taken in the fog. Both the light and images are off. Can someone tell me what the basic aspect ratio setting is? Also, I'm using this camera as a point and shoot and never using the manual settings -- which I know is a waste of a nice camera. Anyone know a good online tutorial? The instruction manual literally puts me to sleep, and confuses me. I am really a novice here, and the manual seems to... » Read More Sorry to be asking such basic, ignorant questions about aspect ratio, but someone was messing with my camera and changed all the settings -- and now the pictures all look as if they were taken in the fog. Both the light and images are off. Can someone tell me what the basic aspect ratio setting is? Also, I'm using this camera as a point and shoot and never using the manual settings -- which I know is a waste of a nice camera. Anyone know a good online tutorial? The instruction manual literally puts me to sleep, and confuses me. I am really a novice here, and the manual seems to make assumptions about F stop, aspect ratio etc.thanks so much / « Show Less
648774
In my personal experience, it's a bit difficult to focus in lowlight situations. If it's as dark as a room with very dim lights, then I do not recommend this. In addition, I try to keep the ISO at a max of 1600. If I have to, I will go up to 3200. The noise/grain is noticeable around 3200, and it is a bit noticeable even at 1600.
646120
Hello,On EXR and Auto mode I've found my images in low light to be sub par without using the flash - which then can unfortunately cause it's own set of problems. However, as I learn the camera I find adjusting the settings and really depending on the manual as a reference guide, along with youtube tutorial videos that my low and dim light photos are improving. I'm an Amateur at this stage of course but more advanced photographers would have an effortless time taking great shots in low light conditions. If you're shopping around check out the Panasonic FZ200 and the Sony DDSC-HX300 both have won tremendous accolades for low light performance. Hope this helps! Hello,On EXR and Auto mode I've found my images in low light to be sub par without using the flash - which then can unfortunately cause it's own set of problems. However, as I learn the camera I find adjusting the settings and really depending on the manual as a reference guide, along with youtube tutorial videos that my low and dim light photos are improving. I'm an Amateur at this stage of course but more advanced photographers would have an effortless time taking great shots in low light conditions. If you're shopping around check out the Panasonic FZ200 and the Sony... » Read More Hello,On EXR and Auto mode I've found my images in low light to be sub par without using the flash - which then can unfortunately cause it's own set of problems. However, as I learn the camera I find adjusting the settings and really depending on the manual as a reference guide, along with youtube tutorial videos that my low and dim light photos are improving. I'm an Amateur at this stage of course but more advanced photographers would have an effortless time taking great shots in low light conditions. If you're shopping around check out the Panasonic FZ200 and the Sony DDSC-HX300 both have won tremendous accolades for low light performance. Hope this helps! « Show Less
1672486
Wow, that's a lot of information to digest! I can tell you really enjoy photography though-thanks for the help! I must have read your latest post like five times!Since I'm still I beginner, I have no idea how to operate the camera in A or M mode so I guess I'll leave the purchase of a prime lens for later on.~ Dan
250135
I'm having this issue, too. Camera seems to get confused and the whole frame becomes blurry rather than focusing on the one object. It takes several attempts to register what I'm trying to do, and then it's too late - opportunity has passed and subject has moved. Time to really study my manual I guess or maybe this is a shortcoming with this camera.
2206681
Hi there Angela I recently bought this camera after doing a lot of research. One of the only things that people would sometimes say was bad about the camera was that under certain conditions, the pictures came out in a condition like the one you described. There are a few things that you can do to help get rid of this "noise": 1. Choose a lower ISO setting. This setting changes the sensitivity to the light. You cannot change this value in the "Simple" mode, but in PASM and scene you can. The lower the ISO level, the more likely you might need to use flash, so open the flash and turn it to Auto (the default setting) when you use a lower ISO in poor to moderate lighting. 2. Change the internal Noise Reduction to High. You can access this setting in the PASM or Scene modes only as well. Changing this may make the picture a little less detailed, but probably only noticeable in something bigger than a 4 x 6. Access this setting by hitting the "Set" button, and then go down the menu to the third page, to a setting called Pict. Adj. and hit the right arrow. Noise reduction is the last choice. 3. If at all possible, take photos in good lighting. This will limit the use for internal brightening and adjusting, which will keep the natural colors and less noise in the picture. Hope this helps!