CP880 unsharp images in auto mode

[MarcV]

I just got my CP880 and, to start playing with it, put it in auto mode and took some outside pictures. To my surprise, most of the pictures were very unsharp. After taking even more unsharp pictures, I decided to give the other modes a try (SCENE/P/A/M). The results here were much better.

I must admit I did not read the manual yet (haven't had much time to do it yet...), but isn't auto mode supposed to give good results in most cases?

 

[clausiam]

Marc,

Since I experienced this with my 990 I will give a shot at an explanation since I believe they are almost identical in this respect. In A-REC mode the camera is in "continuous focus" mode, i.e. it constantly tries to focus even when you're not half-pressing the shutter-release button. This means less time for focusing when you actually press the button, but it also means that it will allow you to take the picture even when it's out of focus which may happen if you simply press the button quickly. So, try and half-press the button, give it something like 1/4-1/2 second or so to finish focusing and then fully depress the button. From the 990 manual (probably the same for 88) about continuous focus mode:

"CON

Photos can be taken even when camera is not focused—check AF lamp before shooting"

Because I think it's a hassle to check the AF lamp I rarely shoot in A-REC mode, but one of the other modes where you can select "single focus". But it does take a bit longer to focus that way and I don't know what modes are available on the 880.

Claus

I just got my CP880 and, to start playing with it, put it in auto
mode and took some outside pictures. To my surprise, most of the
pictures were very unsharp. After taking even more unsharp
pictures, I decided to give the other modes a try (SCENE/P/A/M).
The results here were much better.

 

[JohnK]

I just got my CP880 and, to start playing with it, put it in auto
mode and took some outside pictures. To my surprise, most of the
pictures were very unsharp. After taking even more unsharp
pictures, I decided to give the other modes a try (SCENE/P/A/M).
The results here were much better.

Marc, I don't know if this is your first digital camera, but I have found that compared to film cameras, digitals are "slow", and camera movement can be a factor in unsharp pics. Hold the camera very steady (I use a tripod a lot with my 880), and pause a bit after you press the shutter, as there is a lag between when you press the shutter and when the camera actually "takes" the picture.

 

[Scott Willsey]

I just got my CP880 and, to start playing with it, put it in auto
mode and took some outside pictures. To my surprise, most of the
pictures were very unsharp. After taking even more unsharp
pictures, I decided to give the other modes a try (SCENE/P/A/M).
The results here were much better.

I must admit I did not read the manual yet (haven't had much time
to do it yet...), but isn't auto mode supposed to give good results
in most cases?

Greetings, I had the same problem. Put the camera in the desired mode, A or P, enter the menu, go to "focus", "af area mode", and turn it off. When it is set to auto, your camera will be focusing on whatever is closest to the camera. By turning it off, you will now be using center focus. If you do not want to focus on the center of your image, then do the following:

1. Put whatever you want to be focused on sharply in the center. Let it focus.
2. Now hold down the shutter button halfway to "lock" the focus.
3. Re-compose the picture.
4. Shoot the picture.

Try this and see how it helps.

Regards,

Scott