topic Re: issues with SX60 hs and auto focus in Point & Shoot Digital Cameras

issues with SX60 hs and auto focus

malancr — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 22:45:27 GMT

hello to all

just wanted to know if anyone is aware of the following

like a month ago I've started noticing that my SX60 HS been having a hard time trying to auto focus. usually I had to press the shutter button half way and it willl focus the image with on problem. but now I have to do that several times until it focuses clearly the subject.

I've also noticed that the omvie mode also has issues with the focus.

I've already did a factory reset to the camera and still no luck, hoping that it was related to maybe a setting on it

any ideas

regards

Re: issues with SX60 hs and auto focus

smack53 — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 00:29:44 GMT

You don't mention how much zoom you are using. While the camera may auto focus quickly at the wider end, those cameras will take longer when at the tele end of the zoom. You may also want to try out other focus modes in the menu. Try with and without Servo AF for instance. Are you shooting in low light? That will also have a major impact on the auto focus speed. You may need to set the ISO to a higher setting. What aperture are you using? You may need to set a wider aperture to let in more light. Are you using a tripod? Make sure image stabilization is turned off if you are.

I'm sure there are other factors, but I would start with those.

Steve M.

Re: issues with SX60 hs and auto focus

pimpy1 — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 15:32:24 GMT

When I have those focus issues I try to first focus on a large object about the same distance away first then try to refocus on my subject. Then the next few shots in that range focus quicker. I found if you focus on a close subject and them try far away the camera has the most issues.

Re: issues with SX60 hs and auto focus

malancr — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 18:27:53 GMT

hello to all for the help

THe issues appear with no zoom and with zoom, also on camera and video mode.

I will try the recommendations of changing the servo and the other settings recommended.

thanks to all for the help

Re: issues with SX60 hs and auto focus

weadolph — Sun, 13 Mar 2016 14:28:57 GMT

Had the camera for 10 days, and like it, but in Sport mode it will not focus, just clicks and tries to focus, let it go for 10 secs. In Auto mode same subject and zoom about 50x there is no problem. Did the factory reset, nof dif. I know I could try manual, etc, but I bought the camera to have a convenient setting for action shots or birds flying. - Am about to return the camera. My question: is this a general problem or just on this camera.

Thanks.

Re: issues with SX60 hs and auto focus

weadolph — Sun, 13 Mar 2016 14:44:38 GMT

Just got a reply from Canon Factory Service asking "Please mail your digital camera to the Factory Service Center shown below. "
So this is not a user problem, be sure to test the camera on all settings. I am just glad I bought it from Amazon and can return it without a problem. - My quandry, since really like the camera otherwise should I get a replacement.

Re: issues with SX60 hs and auto focus

jyotko — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 03:53:10 GMT

We are dumping ours. After sending it back to Canon for repair it came back working just as poorly. Both my wife and myself are experienced photographers with training and have worked as photographers.WE have tried it with various settings in bright daylight and no zoom and it cannot focus. It appears that it has to do more with the sensor or algorithm than the lenses. Even at 100% magnification the images are grainy, lack focus and sharpness. This is with noon sun in Texas without a cloud in the sky.

We got it as a lightweight backup for a trip to Antarctica. After this experience I will by shying away from Canon cameras.

Re: issues with SX60 hs and auto focus

newsense52 — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 19:23:02 GMT

This model is called point and shoot camera, it works only well in auto mode and not good in other modes. If you change to other modes and do the fine tuning the design of this camera is altered and not advisable. If in auto mode after resetting is still bad, internal malfunction is the cause.

Re: issues with SX60 hs and auto focus

Krista60 — Sun, 14 May 2017 15:20:47 GMT

I have a sx60 hs. there is a small adjustable wheel button at the left of the sight. You probably hit it by accident. Re-adjust the alignment and it should be fine.

Re: issues with SX60 hs and auto focus

newsense52 — Sun, 14 May 2017 20:33:53 GMT

The wheel on the left side of viewfinder is an adjustment of aperture value or known as f/stop. Turn it to the left or to the right and try to focus an object without manual zooming in.

If AF (auto focus) point zoom in menu is "on" , the servo mechanism AF is "off ", auto focusing is Ok.

Also in menu continous auto focus must be " on" .

Safety shift on menu must be also " on "

Check digital zoom and AF point are "on" in menu.

If all these are not working, you return the product.

Re: issues with SX60 hs and auto focus

tezza70 — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 11:10:29 GMT

I would not dice Canon that quickly, they are a great brand & the most popular.

Re: issues with SX60 hs and auto focus

dcw-uk — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 08:30:15 GMT

Hi newsense52, I have joined forum to thank you for the info re. focusing issue SX60, your information was very useful as I was thinking of ditching this new camera as it would not focus at all using small amount of zoom, when using in dull, overcast weather. Obviously living in the UK I would never get to use it due to that being order of the day for our weather. Just a small point if you forgive me, but I thought the small wheel to left of viewfinder was a dioptre adjustment, maybe I misunderstood you. Anyway, many many thanks for helping me, Don

Re: issues with SX60 hs and auto focus

Tronhard — Tue, 31 Jul 2018 21:38:29 GMT

The small wheel IMMEDIATELY to the right of the viewfinder is the diopter adjustment.

I disagree with the statement that the SX60HS is a "point and shoot camera": it is a bridge camera which is a compromise between the small sensor of a P&S and the controls of a DSLR with a super zoom. Perhaps the P&S comment was meant for the sensor alone? I don't know...

I use a lot of DSLRs and I also have a SX60HS and find no problem in any mode that I have tried when conditions are appropriate. ( I do not use the camera on manual focus.) The issue is that because it has a small sensor it performs best when there is a lot of light and contrast and less so in less favourable conditions. As has been pointed out a grey day may not be its forte!

It may be that a different camera might be a better choice for your conditions and needs. If weight is the issue then perhaps the EOS M5 or M50, of even (if you want to out of the Canon brand) a micro 4/3 unit. Still none of them has the lens reach of the superzoom.

Re: issues with SX60 hs and auto focus

dbhuff49 — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 02:58:28 GMT

I am a hobby photographer and have an SX60 HS. I bought it because I like Canon and for the lens reach. I have found that it sometimes has trouble focusing in auto mode under low light due to the small sensor. It works best for me using aperture or shutter priority. Auto focus is spot on MOST of the time, even doing close ups of insects.

Re: issues with SX60 hs and auto focus

tezza70 — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 09:50:46 GMT

Thank you, much appreciated.

Re: issues with SX60 hs and auto focus

tezza70 — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 09:52:46 GMT

Many thanks..good information

Re: issues with SX60 hs and auto focus

tezza70 — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 09:55:28 GMT

I have found that when focusing in Av then I often get a small yellow box I think that I need to refocus but then it goes when I switch to Auto

Re: issues with SX60 hs and auto focus

Tronhard — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 21:43:05 GMT

@tezza70 wrote:
I have found that when focusing in Av then I often get a small yellow box I think that I need to refocus but then it goes when I switch to Auto

Have you read the manual on this... it is well explained there.

Re: issues with SX60 hs and auto focus

tezza70 — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 12:11:17 GMT

Re: issues with SX60 hs and auto focus

KJW247 — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 01:12:17 GMT

Isn't that wheel immediately to the left of the viewfinder? At least on my SX60.