taglo1 Loc: Norfolk VA via NYC

I just purchased a Canon SX50 and although I like the zoom feature I find that the photos are not as sharp as they should be. I have to do post-edited to make them sharp. Has anyone else had this problem.

The sky over Norfolk Virginia


Granby Street Traffic


Pinecomb with happy grass

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

I seem to get mine sharp as long as I let it focus correctly and hold it STILL!! It does take a little practice.

Click on my user name then on my Topics and check some out.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

There are dozens of happy SX50 users on UHH - including me :)

It can take some getting used to and trials with various settings, before you are likely to see your best work. Try not to go into the digital zoom realm; you'll see better results if you stay within the optical zoom (to 50x).

And keep in mind with a camera that is zooming that far, the slightest movement on your part will show up as an unsharp image. I've gotten some good results with the "burst" mode, which shoots several images in one second.

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

I have found with my comparable P510 Nikon that the higher the zoom the more you have to steady the camera. And I do mean steady it.

A heartbeat/breathing is enough to put off the focus at high digital zoom

Sarge69

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

As is the vibration from a car engine :)

taglo1 Loc: Norfolk VA via NYC

Those are very beautiful pictures and sharp. Maybe I don't need a tripod.

taglo1 Loc: Norfolk VA via NYC

Thanks for the advice. Burst Mode should help a lot on the zoom. I guess I am just a little impatient.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

It would help us know who you are responding to if you would click on "Quote Reply" instead of "Reply" or "Quick Reply"

taglo1 Loc: Norfolk VA via NYC

Ok I'll stop breathing. Thanks.

taglo1 Loc: Norfolk VA via NYC

OK thanks.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

Just don't forget to start up again!! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

In the beginning, I too was very frustrated. I started in manual mode, since that is what I used with my D5100, and used my customary settings. I was extremely disappointed with my results. I then read all the tutorials on DPR forums, plus a few more. And then came on here and read and learned from others.
I tried to use my sx50 some every day. Just trying out various settings and techniques that were suggested by others who posted what to me, were great pictures. I shoot mostly birds; BIFs, BOWs, etc. and flowers and other close ups. Linda from Maine suggested using HQ burst in Scene mode and that was a very helpful suggestion. It does take a lot of practice to get BIFs, but it can be done.
Check out the dpreview.com forums for canon powershot. There are many on there who post really terrific photos and all the settings they use. Several have also created tutorials for the sx50.

Another suggestion from those on dpr forums that helped was to buy the gun scope monopod in the hunting section at Walmart. I love it for this camera. It is about $10, has a 'V' mount that you can just rest the lens in, or you can unscrew that and then screw the monopod directly into the camera. It is very light, and collapses down to a very small size for carrying.

I had been told by a friend who takes awesome shots with this camera that it seems to have a high learning curve. But now he uses it for about 90% of his photos.
So bottom line is read all you can, try out various settings and use it as often as you can. It is such a fun camera to use! Just grab and go. I try to always have it with me and have it set to HQ burst. Just in case I see a BIF or something moving.
Because of illness, I have not been able to go out for some real shooting in 6 weeks. It will probably be another 2 before that will happen. :(
However, I hope to be attending a special sx50 users group meeting before our camera club meeting this week, and I hope to learn more there.

In reviewing this reply, it does seem a little long. I apologize for that, but hopefully you will find something helpful amongst all words.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

I got one of those also, and then I bought an inexpensive (cheap) ballhead from eBay that I installed under the "V". Now when I take the "V" off I can install the camera on the ballhead and have some extra flexibility.

(Download)

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

Cool, wahawk! I will be on the lookout for one if those. Any specific brand or will any do? Appreciate your suggestion.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

Any should do, just don't get one that is too big and heavy! Defeats the purpose of the light "monopod"!! :lol: :lol:
I think I paid about $5-7 for mine. That way I can switch the camera to portrait and still have it 'attached' to the 'pod' !!