Just got this camera and can not find a setting to take decent pictures of my kids. We are mostly indoors this time of year and they are always moving. Shutter does not seem fast and the quality of pictures I'm getting stinks so far. Suggestions? Just got this camera and can not find a setting to take decent pictures of my kids. We are mostly indoors this time of year and they are always moving. Shutter does not seem fast and the quality... » Read More Just got this camera and can not find a setting to take decent pictures of my kids. We are mostly indoors this time of year and they are always moving. Shutter does not seem fast and the quality of pictures I'm getting stinks so far. Suggestions? « Show Less
1854899
I use the Sport mode to take pics of my kids moving around or playing. I think it works great that way and I get some awesome pics of them.
1854900
Sorry, wish I could help you, I'm kinda a novice about picture taking myself. I suspect it is a lighting problem concerning shutter speed or an exposure problem. You should have it checked by a friend with good camera expertise.
1854901
I have found that using the SP mode will give you the shots you desire.You can also go in the menu and adjust your shooting preference to go from indoor to ourdoor or sunset. I recently stood on my balcony at the beach and caught pictures of sailboats about 5-10 miles out. You do have to play with it a little, but, it is great for candid shots. On SP a lot of indoor shots can be taken without a flash. There's a setting for this, and pics come out real nice.
790038
Have you tried changing the ISO (the equivalent of film speed)? Perhaps it's set too low. I'd try either 400 or 800 if you're shooting indoors. Also try either the sports mode or night (not night tripod) in the Scene Position. I've had no problems with shooting indoors without flash and I get pretty good pics. If the lighting is extremely low, I prop the camera on something. If the kids are moving fast, either use flash or the settings I mentioned above. I've not had any problems with the picture quality indoors with mine. Hope this helps.
1045512
I am having the same problem...in fact, I just went back and reread some of the reviews, because I can't believe I am the only one who is experiencing this. Everyone raves about this camera! I, too, would like to know what I am doing wrong.
1082487
Thanks very much for the info., Les. I actually returned my camera when even Panasonic tech support couldn't fix the problem, but I later learned it was not a defective camera. I'll be buying it again in the near future as I think it's a great camera, and I'll be saving your message in an attempt to figure it all out. Also, too bad there's no flash button on the camera and that you have to go to the menu to fiddle with it. That's weird! (and too bad it doesn't pop up automatically, like my Sony) THANKS AGAIN! Jeffroar
133564
I took 100's of pictures on a short trip - most of them of my grandchildren. The youngest is a shaker and mover too. ;) He is ALWAYS in motion. I probably had to delete 6-8 photos of the 200 for movement (mine or theirs). One of the events I attended was a pizza party and my pictures of the children (who were moving constantly) turned out great. This camera also takes videos, but I haven't played with that yet. I was very pleased with this camera overall. I am not sure how it would do in sports applications or constant movement, but I assure you the toddler never sat, stood or posed - and I still able to get some great pictures. I took 100's of pictures on a short trip - most of them of my grandchildren. The youngest is a shaker and mover too. ;) He is ALWAYS in motion. I probably had to delete 6-8 photos of the 200 for movement (mine or theirs). One of the events I attended was a pizza party and my pictures of the children (who were moving constantly) turned out great. This camera also takes videos, but I haven't played with that yet. I was very pleased with this camera overall. I am not sure how it would do in sports applications or constant movement, but I assure you the toddler never sat, stood or posed - and I... » Read More I took 100's of pictures on a short trip - most of them of my grandchildren. The youngest is a shaker and mover too. ;) He is ALWAYS in motion. I probably had to delete 6-8 photos of the 200 for movement (mine or theirs). One of the events I attended was a pizza party and my pictures of the children (who were moving constantly) turned out great. This camera also takes videos, but I haven't played with that yet. I was very pleased with this camera overall. I am not sure how it would do in sports applications or constant movement, but I assure you the toddler never sat, stood or posed - and I still able to get some great pictures. « Show Less
529194
Thanks so much for your suggestions! As I mentioned in my previous post, I've used locking pre-focus when shooting sports, and that works fine. For grandchildren, though, it doesn't work--their direction (especially distance to or from the camera) is likely to change wildly, so pre-focus doesn't work as well. If they're running toward you, for example, I've tried using the AF Tracking, but getting that first lock on their faces is a real challenge. 8O
1804501
Yes, this is very noisy in low light and above 400 ISO. I have a friend who takes simple family snapshots with the same camera, and it's fine for her. But for myself, and probably for you, the camera is just not good enough.
434778
The shutter lag on this video camera in photo mode is not something you would like. I tried taking action shots of my son playing indoor soccer and the time between pressing the button and it taking a picture was long enough to miss the shot I wanted. This was indoors, but the lighting was decent. Perhaps outdoors it would be different, but I'm not counting on it. It takes decent pictures - not great though. Don't throw away your digital camera if you're getting this. I will do in a pinch for non-action photos if you have nothing else with you. The specs say it's 10 Mp - but that is 5Mp scaled up to 10Mp. Again, the pictures (even with flash) aren't too bad. But regular digital cameras have a lot of optional settings (for still photography) that are easily accessed - this does not. Good luck. Tony PS...I haven't tried getting stills from movies - but might give it a try using my Pinnacle movie editing software. The video sure looks stunning and the pictures from it..well....won't know unless I try.
1418537
So glad I found this post as I'm in the same boat and just printed out the specs on both cameras. I'm curious as to which camera you ended up getting and how you like it? My original intent was to upgrade from my Canon Powershot due to a long lag time in between being able to shoot the next picture now that my kids are in sports, but I would still like clear nice pictures. What did you get and how do you like it?
423142
Thanks Janet, I kinda knew that, but was surprised that you would be using p&s.; I would love nothing more than to stick with a p&s;,but the shutter lag (for shooting puppies/dogs in motion)(low-key professionally) is KILLING me. Is it true, there is no p&s; with a truly shorter shutter lag?p.s. not to mention a big ol' black SLR scares heck outta puppies!
332876
I'm not sure if this will help or not, but I have found that when I want to take pictures of kids or moving sports objects - I select a mode like the sports mode and then push the shutter down half way to allow the camera time to focus on the subjects. Then I continue to follow the subject while holding the shutter half way down and when the shot I want appears I just complete pushing down the shutter and the picture will be taken instantly. If I don't push the shutter down half way first, I end up with the same 1 second delay between the picture I wanted to capture and what actually shows up on the viewfinder. Hope that helps. Mike
2251880
The camera is not super sensitive at all when panning around the room. When you want to pan the camera you actually hold down the left/right or up-and-down buttons. We purchased this monitor for our first son who is now three years old and we still use it for him and I just bought another one for our new son who is three months old. Now and then the Parent monitor tells you that it's out of range and the screen goes black but only for a few seconds. I'm thinking that's because ours is a little older but it still works great.
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.
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.
1083992
I just started using camera, have a couple of starter questions.Started while it was dark out to take picture of my tabby in the house. Took pictures of him with and without flash, the flash overwhelms, but picture is a hair too dark. How do I get a slightly lighter picture.Then it got nice and light in the house and I tried taking pictures of my deep grey cat, about 8:30 with sun coming through shades behind me. Viewfinder and pictures make his deep grey fur way too light. Short of darkening the room, how do I get a more realistic picture. Happens with flash on or off. I just started using camera, have a couple of starter questions.Started while it was dark out to take picture of my tabby in the house. Took pictures of him with and without flash, the flash overwhelms, but picture is a hair too dark. How do I get a slightly lighter picture.Then it got nice and light in the house and I tried taking pictures of my deep grey cat, about 8:30 with sun coming through shades behind me. Viewfinder and pictures make his deep grey fur way too light. Short of darkening the room, how do I get a more realistic picture. Happens with flash on or off.
1477873
This is my second Lumix and I only used it for a short while and gave it to my granddaughter. I think I had the same thing happen and fixed the flash part by playing around on the menu settings. When I got my first Panasonic about 3 years ago it was highly rated for taking fast in low lighting. I drop my small cameras alot and that took it's toll. That's why I won't pay over $150 for a camera and besides they change technology so fast. But I was disappointed in this camera because the focus is off in some of the shots. So I read new reviews and bought a Canon Power Shot ELPH340 HS this time. I am happier with the Canon but did pay more. Lee This is my second Lumix and I only used it for a short while and gave it to my granddaughter. I think I had the same thing happen and fixed the flash part by playing around on the menu settings. When I got my first Panasonic about 3 years ago it was highly rated for taking fast in low lighting. I drop my small cameras alot and that took it's toll. That's why I won't pay over $150 for a camera and besides they change technology so fast. But I was disappointed in this camera because the focus is off in some of the shots. So I read new reviews and bought a Canon Power Shot ELPH340 HS this... » Read More This is my second Lumix and I only used it for a short while and gave it to my granddaughter. I think I had the same thing happen and fixed the flash part by playing around on the menu settings. When I got my first Panasonic about 3 years ago it was highly rated for taking fast in low lighting. I drop my small cameras alot and that took it's toll. That's why I won't pay over $150 for a camera and besides they change technology so fast. But I was disappointed in this camera because the focus is off in some of the shots. So I read new reviews and bought a Canon Power Shot ELPH340 HS this time. I am happier with the Canon but did pay more. Lee « Show Less
1114871
Thank you. I have the problem of horribly overexposed photos with the flash. On Christmas day about half of the photos were washed out with the flash, in Auto mode. When we turned off the flash, some photos were ok, but others were blurry. I tried other rooms with different lighting, with and without flash, and again the problem of washed out subjects. Any suggestions? thank 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