Need help with Canon new line of Powershot cameras...

[orion23]

Hey guys!

I've always used canon, used to have and SD1000 and loved it, great camera, fast, great sound from recordings @ live shows.

This was replaced with an SD1100, again, awesome camera, fast, great sound as well.

So I wanted to upgrade to something "better" / newer.

I got an SD1400 IS and I hated it.
Very slow to take shots and 1 of 4 pics would be blurry no matter what setting I would use. Took it to a show and I almost broke it since most shots were bad and the live sound was aweful.

Returned it for a sony H55 and the pics were very grainy so it had to go as well.

Just got another canon, SX210, and even though it is faster than the SD1400, it is nowhere near as fast as my older cameras, but acceptable since we are talking about 14MP images I guess.

However, the big issue I have is taking a good picture when anything moves, and I mean, turning your head will cause the image to be blurry, tried it during christmas and if the kids turned their faces when I was taking the picture, well, it would be ruined.

I don't get it really, my old canon cameras, I would abuse them and actually brag about how much I could shake the camera and the pictures would still come out perfect.

Again, looking to exchange this camera for something that actually works for me!

 

[Smoove910]

Just a question:

What speed SD card are you using? If you happen to be using a POS Class 2 or Class 4 card, your shots are going to be slow due to the write speed of the card.

I just picked up a Canon SD780IS for the g-friend and we couldn't be happier. Of course we're using an 8gb Class 6 card, so that probably makes some difference.

We 'upgraded' from a Sony DSC W-120 (7.2 mp) which was a very quick shooter. Unfortunately the colors just weren't there and not having the ability to zoom in/out while videoing was a deal breaker.

Almost sounds like a low light issue with your blurriness. Did the same scenario occur if you were outside in natural light?

 

[orion23]

I use a clash 6 8GB card!

Don't really know what the issues could be, I just know that I'm not very happy with these new cameras I have tested.

Plenty of light really, nothing different that I would do with my previous cameras, just not the same results!

 

[ElFenix]

do you still have the SD1100? additional megapixels isn't really resolving additional detail with the same cameras with small lenses and small sensors.

 

[orion23]

do you still have the SD1100? additional megapixels isn't really resolving additional detail with the same cameras with small lenses and small sensors.

Well, the SD1100 is only an 8MP camera. I am not only expecting an improvement in picture quality but also a better camera all together, and at the very least, the same IS performance as any of the older cameras.

I really think I must be doing something wrong....

 

[Anteaus]

From my experience, there are two things that might help. First, cameras use metering to decide what ISO setting to use....so when your initially focusing, try to also point at something thats a neutral color....such as the persons face. It will help with the exposure. If you meter off of dark clothing it will make the camera think it is much darker in the room and thus raise your ISO level..which would cause the blur affect since the shutter is open longer. Second, for moving images i like to "prefocus" the camera...i.e. focus on a still image nearby and hold that focus and take the picture when whatever your trying to photographs crosses it. P&S camers focus slowly so the camera may not be having enough time to do what it needs to do to capture the shot properly. Also, you can try overriding to a lower ISO. You won't get as much light, but the blur should be less.

I hope these suggestions work but ultimately you just need to learn what works for you.

 

[orion23]

From my experience, there are two things that might help. First, cameras use metering to decide what ISO setting to use....so when your initially focusing, try to also point at something thats a neutral color....such as the persons face. It will help with the exposure. If you meter off of dark clothing it will make the camera think it is much darker in the room and thus raise your ISO level..which would cause the blur affect since the shutter is open longer. Second, for moving images i like to "prefocus" the camera...i.e. focus on a still image nearby and hold that focus and take the picture when whatever your trying to photographs crosses it. P&S camers focus slowly so the camera may not be having enough time to do what it needs to do to capture the shot properly. Also, you can try overriding to a lower ISO. You won't get as much light, but the blur should be less.

I hope these suggestions work but ultimately you just need to learn what works for you.

Thanks for all the info!

I'll play around with this camera for a couple of days and make a decision before my return time runs out!

Thanks again!

 

[Subbaculcha]

Sounds to me like you take a lot of indoor pics. I'd be looking at the canon sd4000 or s95 (both pocketable). Or move up to something bulkier (and $$), like prosumer g12. Or just bite the bullet and get an entry DSLR like rebel xs and the 50mm f1.8 lens (that's what I ended up doing).