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Soft images
Even when a photo taken with a digital camera is properly focused, the results may not look sharp. This is true when viewing the image at 100% on a computer monitor and also when it is reduced in size during the editing process.
Digital single reflex cameras are no exception. They generally produce even softer images than those taken by a compact.
Not all digital cameras produce soft-looking images however.
Manufactures increase in-camera sharpening in point-and-shoot models. They are made to appeal to novice digital camera users who typically have no interest in editing images.
In-camera sharpening settings
Intermediate and advanced cameras have settings to control the amount of in-camera sharpening. Users of these cameras often want to control the degree of image sharpness themselves as they edit a photo. These cameras offer High, Normal or Low levels of sharpening, or it can be turned OFF completely.
If you can control sharpening in-camera give it a try. Take a few test photos at different levels of sharpenss to determine the setting that meets your satisfaction.
To help ensure photos are as sharp as they can be, follow these suggestions:
- Take hand-held photos at shutter speeds of 1/60th second or higher. Slow shutter speeds cause camera shake and blur images.
- When using a zoom lens, make sure the shutter speed is about equal too or higher than the focal length used. For example, when using a 200mm equivalent focal length, the shutter speed should be at least 1/250th second.
- Increase the camera sensitivity (ISO) to obtain faster shutter speeds. The trade-off is that "noise" may appear in a photo, especially when light conditions are low.
- Use a smaller aperture (higher f-stop numbers) to increase depth of field.
In the illustration above, the left image appears soft even when reduced in size. The right image is sharpened.
