EOS R50 Slighlty jaggedy and fuzzy images?

[AlexK3]

Not sure if i'm being either picky or seeing things but most of my photos just don't look as sharp as I'd expect them to especially the wide area landscape photos (mainly around the edges of different objects). I use an EOS R50 with various lenses can't remember which ones I used for each photo nor do I know the ISO, aperature or shutter speed so do forgive the lack of information. I was just wondering if anyone has a similar problem and some advice on how to tackle it or if i'm just being too picky?

[Waddizzle]

Distant objects are never tack sharp,  There’s not enough resolution.

[stevet1]

AlexK3,

I know you don't remember your settings, but I wondered if you're using a tripod, or if you're trying to take these handheld.

In your last picture, at least, I think what you're seeing is atmospheric haze.

Steve Thomas

[AlexK3]

Handheld at the moment but I never go below 1/100 shutter speed due to that. Photos like this I normally have an aperture of f11 or 16.

It’s not so much the atmospheric haze that I’m noticing, it’s just the quality of each subject.

[AlexK3]

Ah ok, that’s helpful. The resolution I shoot at is 6000x4000 jpeg so would changing camera settings help make them a bit sharper?

[p4pictures · Accepted solution]

I downloaded the first image that you posted and found the following camera settings were still in the file.

• 1/200th, f/18, ISO 800
• RF-S 10-18mm lens at 18mm

One thing to understand is that when you close the aperture to f/18 the images may become softer since there is an effect known as diffraction loss. For your photos I don't think you need f/18, but will find you get sharper results with f/11 or even f/8. Making use of the depth of field tables, you can you shoot at f/8 and focus on a point around 2.2 metres or 7.2 feet in to the scene. Then your depth of field will be sufficient to cover from about 1.1 metres or 3.6 feet to infinity. This gives two benefits; you can shoot with less ISO for clearer image detail and if needed shoot at faster shutter speed but with your current settings this is less important. 

One other suggestion is to look at the Picture Style you use if you are shooting JPG in the camera. Most likely you have the AUTO picture style selected on your camera, but switching to Landscape style does apply a little more sharpening and contrast to the images, with boosted primary colours too. 

[AlexK3]

Thank you that’s actually really helpful, I’ll put this to effect on my next shoot