Digital cameras 101

[lock_photos]

hello,

I just bought a new Olympus Stylus1010.  I previously had an Olympus Camedia C-5050 that recently died. 

I can't seem to get my new Stylus to take pics in focus or at the proper exposure on its auto setting.  I was always able to use the C-5050 in automatic and get great pics.
The only in focus pics I've taken have been in macro mode.

Here are two pictures I took today one during cloudy conditions and the other during sunny conditions

cloudy: http://i824.photobucket.com/albums/zz161/lock_photos/P8230003.jpg
sunny: http://i824.photobucket.com/albums/zz161/lock_photos/P8230041.jpg

Thanks for any help you can provide! 

[ShutterbugGail]

Hello lock_photos, and welcome to the Q&A Board.

Digital cameras have changed a lot since the C-5050. In so many ways they are better, but they also have a lot more fancy stuff, and auto this and auto that, which are preset by the manufacturer.

I've looked at your two sample photos and, before I comment, it would be very helpful if you tell me some of the camera settings you're using.

For example, your new camera has three Focus Modes:  iESP Auto, Spot AF, Face Detection AF. Which focus mode are you using?

And which Exposure Mode are you using? Your camera has three: Digital ESP Metering, Spot Metering, Face Detection AE (when Face Detection AF is selected).

[lock_photos]

hello,

I've been using the default mode which is Face Detect, and  I guess from what you've said that then means I'm using Face Detection AE.

Thanks for your help.  It'd be a relief to know that the problem is me and not this camera. 

Dana

[ShutterbugGail]

Dana, the first thing I do when I get a new digital camera (and I've owned many) is set my camera to single area focus. My guess that is Spot AF on your camera. It lets me control where the camera focuses.

You may find some of these tips on exposure helpful. Follow the links included in this short article.

http://www.digicamhelp.com/learn/toptips/exposure-tips/

Give these a try and get back to us if for more suggestions if these don't help improve things.