Images are blurry or not in focus (PowerShot SX720 HS)

Last Updated : 21-Jan-2016
Issue Number : 8202802900

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].

Set the flash to [On] (

).

Move the [ ] switch, press the [ ] button, and then press the [ ], [ ] buttons to choose [On] ().

Increase the [ISO speed].

Press the [ ] button, then select [ ] from the menu and choose the desired [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 Range	Maximum Wide Angle	Maximum Telephoto
	5 cm (2.0 in.) - infinity	2.0 m (6.6 ft.) - infinity
*	1 - 50 cm (0.4 in. - 1.6 ft.)	-
*	1 cm (0.4 in.) - infinity	2.0 m (6.6 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.
To unlock the focus, after you release the shutter button, press the [ ] button again and press the [ ], [ ] buttons to choose [ ].

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.