Help Pictures blurry

[hallafrass]

Does anyone have any suggested settings to take optimal pictures? I don't expect dslr quality here, but if ever there's movement (which is almost always) there is blur in the pictures I take. Flash is on auto, have anti-shake option ticked. Only a couple in 100 photos so far are crisp throughout the entire depth of field.

I have an otterbox commuter case that covers the light/proximity sensor but wasn't sure if that has anything to do with the auto-focus of the camera?

Thanks.

 

[LaTuFu]

There are a lot of variables that we need to know in order to figure that out.

--Where are you for these pictures? (Indoor, outdoor)
--What is the typical ambient light? (Incandescent, Sunlight)
--How close are you to the subject? (3 feet, 90 feet)

For the most part, the basic settings on the camera won't handle a lot of movement if the flash is on and the pic is shooting indoors. If you take a picture of your cat and he turns his head in mid-shot, expect a blur.

Tweak the settings ahead of time (scene to party/indoor, white balance to the type of light you're in) and you can generally improve the outcome of the shot.

Its not a bad camera once you get used to how it operates. It won't "think" for you like some better digi cams will. Its definitely not a full-fledged digital camera, but I've stopped using my digi for 80% of the pictures I take because the quality of this one is pretty good.

 

[hallafrass]

Thanks for the reply. Cat example is what I'm experiencing. Taking indoors, with flash, usually with kids - no zoom so within 3-5 feet. Took some pics of kids bowling - ok if they're still - although have gotten out of focus areas in some stationary pics as well - and tap the focus box first. I'll try playing with some of the scene settings.

 

[LaTuFu]

For that situation you describe, try changing the settings to indoor/night, or sports/action. Change your white balance to incandes rather than auto. I have had better success controlling the settings than leaving them on default/auto.