How do I get sharper images? NX1100

CMurdock wrote:

By the way, taking shots at different exposure-compensation levels is necessary. It's impossible to tell from the LCD whether I have the EC just right.

Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere but if you are manually adjusting with EC you can speed this process up considerably by setting the camera to use AEB (Auto Exposure Bracketing). You switch this on in the Drive/Timer settings (left side of the control wheel) or Option 3 of the Camera Menu.

You can then set the range (Bracket Area) of the AEB images in the Bracket Set (Menu option 3 of the Camera Settings).

So if you were to set the range from -1 to +1 - and if on A mode the exposure value was set to F5.6 the shutter may work out at 1/60sec. Then, when you hold the shutter down it will take images that are 1/125sec, 1/60sec, 1/30sec (These being the equivalent of 1 stop of exposure apart)

That way, you can get the variation you need in exposure without having to reset it every time manually. You can set the range from +-1/3 stop to +-3 Stops.

I hope I haven't confused you there, but I'm sure this could help in what you are trying to do.

And just to confirm - the considerably reduced depth of field compared to a typical point and shoot or bridge camera is due to the larger sensor.

In fact, for some Macro work - particularly flowers I often use my Panasonic TZ19 as I can get so much more in focus with that.