Requesting some advice with new camera images please

[Shooter7]

Hi. I just got a new Canon A650 for Christmas to replace my old Nikon Coolpix 3200, and I've been trying to take some pics with the new camera. I'm a little frustrated because I kind of expected the image quality to be better than the old Nikon just simply pulling the A650 out of the box and popping off a few pictures. I'm going to post a couple image comparisons between the Nikon and the new Canon. All of these shots were taken handheld, auto settings, and the pics are straight out of the cameras. Please, if you have some advice to help me significantly improve my shooting with the new camera, that would be great. I'd also like to hear if I'm not going to get anything better out of this camera, in which case I'd seriously consider returning it, as it's not exactly a cheap point and shoot.

Nikon mille:

Canon same mille:

Nikon end view:

Canon end view:

I just feel like the Nikon images are clearer and more colorful than the Canon images above, and that's been the case with all the shots I've taken tonight. I have also set the camera on a level surface and used a timer to take pics and the Nikon pics from the same angle still looked better hand held than the Canon on a level surface. I have held down the shutter button and got what looked to be good focus points when I took the shots. Do I need to be more involved, using manual settings instead of the auto? Kind of bummed. Any input? thanks

 

[hybridgenius]

The exposure on the canon auto is higher than the nikon, but if ya serious about shooting QUALITY pix... then get a SLR camera. For another $100 you could get a canon rebel xt and if you throw in another $200... you could even get a Nikon D40 or Canon Rebel Xti. Its your choice... your current Nikon and the new Canon powershots arent too much different. Here's a link if ya interested and return the A650... http://www.pcnation.com/web/filtercategory.asp?searchtype=RNeW&list=DIGC&url=Digital Cameras

 

[Shooter7]

Thanks for the reply. Granted, the DSLR's aren't really a whole lot more than what this camera cost, it's the fact that I know I'd need more glass to go on the DSLR, and that would make it much, MUCH more than the A650. I was also looking for a camera that could easily be used by my wife. She has no interest in trying to figure out how to use a DSLR, nor lug one around with her. I needed a multi-use camera for our whole family and, besides the G9, this is what I came up with. So, pointers on how I could use this camera and get better results would work better for me.

 

[hybridgenius]

I was just going to say... the family could use it if left on auto and basic modes, but ya right about carrying around sucha big thing lol. Anyways... I believe I've read about the A650 before and quite frankly it HAS creative modes like av,tv, and manual right? If you like... tell me more about the camera and just PM me.

 

[FOSELONE]

at least you know how to post yours...i dont even know how to do that...

 

[Shooter7]

FOSELONE, posting the pics is extremely easy. Just get a free photobucket account to put your pictures on, and they provide you with the link to post here so that your picture shows up. In the newbie forum in the stickies at the top, I believe there is a tutorial on posting pics from photobucket. Might be one in the stickies in this forum too, I haven't looked for that here though.

I believe I've read about the A650 before and quite frankly it HAS creative modes like av,tv, and manual right?

Yes, you are correct, it has these modes. One of the reasons I was interested in it. I just haven't gotten to the point of using them yet. I have read some of the picture taking help in the stickies here, it just hasn't all sunk in yet on how to use it all, I guess. I'm not sure where to start on which setting to alter or anything.