Blurred or Out of Focus Images (PowerShot SX540 HS)

    07-Jan-2016
    8202797800

    Solution

    If images are blurred or out of focus when shooting, check the following items.
    IMPORTANT
    • The instructions in this section apply to a camera with the [Shooting Mode] set to [Program AE] [ ].

    1. Holding the camera
    Hold the camera securely to reduce camera shake.
    • Place the strap around your neck.
    • When shooting, keep your arms close to your body and hold the camera securely to prevent it from moving. Do not rest your fingers on the [Flash].



    2. When the camera shake warning icon appears
    In low-light conditions, the [Camera shake warning icon] [ ] blinks when you press the [Shutter button] halfway. Refer to the following points to prevent camera shake.

    Set [IS Mode] to [Continuous].
    Press the power button.
    Press the [MENU] button and then choose the [ ] tab.
    Press the [ ], [ ] buttons, choose [IS Settings], and then press the [ ], [ ] buttons to set [IS Mode] to [Continuous].







    Choose [ ] (On).
    • Lift the flash, press the [ ] button, and then press the [ ], [ ] buttons to choose [ ] (On).







    Increase the ISO speed.
    • Press the [ ] button and then press the [ ], [ ] buttons to choose an [ISO Speed].


    NOTE
    You can set an [ISO Speed] only in the following modes: [ ], [ ], [ ], and [ ].

    Mount the camera on a tripod or take other measures to keep it still.
    • You should set [IS Mode] to [Off] when using a tripod or other means to secure the camera.

    3. When shots are out of focus
    Press the [Shutter button] halfway to focus on subjects before pressing it all the way down to shoot.
    • Press the [Shutter button] halfway (press lightly to focus) before pressing all the way down (press fully to shoot).







    Make sure subjects are within focusing range.
    • Shooting Range
    Focus RangeMaximum Wide Angle Maximum Telephoto
    5 cm (2.0 in.) - infinity1.3 m (4.3 ft.) - infinity
    *0 - 50 cm (0 in. - 1.6 ft.)-
    *0 cm (0 in.) - infinity1.3 m (4.3 ft.) - infinity
    * Cannot be selected for some shooting modes.

    Set [AF-assist Beam] to [On].
    Press the power button.
    Press the [MENU] button and then choose the [ ] tab.
    Press the [ ], [ ] buttons to choose [AF-assist Beam], and then choose [On].



    Confirm that unneeded functions such as macro are deactivated.
    Press the power button.
    Press the [ ] button, and then choose a [Focus Range] suitable for your environment.



    Try shooting with focus lock or AF lock.
    [Focus Lock]
    As you continue to hold the [Shutter button] halfway down, recompose the shot as desired.



    [AF Lock]
    • As you continue to hold the [Shutter button] halfway down, press the [ ] button.
    • The focus is set and cannot be changed, and [ ] and the MF indicator are displayed.
    • Compose the shot and then shoot.




    NOTE
    • Even if you remove your finger from the shutter button, the focus position is set and cannot be changed.
    • As you continue to hold the shutter button halfway down, press the [ ] button once again to cancel.

    4. When no AF frames are displayed and the camera does not focus
    To have [AF frames] displayed and the camera focus correctly, try composing the shot with higher-contrast subject areas centered and then press the [Shutter button] halfway, or press the shutter button halfway repeatedly.


    NOTE
    For some shooting scenes and subjects, the camera might not focus correctly.