PowerShot SX70 HS Pics are soft and lack detail

[Wilsonsteeup]

My previous camera was a SX 520 HS PowerShot.  My favorite setting was LIVE.  I got the most beautiful, clear, sharp photos using that setting.  It started making funny sizzling sounds, the screen would go black and shut down.  I got a new SX 70 HS and have yet to get a nice clear shot.  I am having the hardest time with all the settings.  All my photos have soft edges.  I captured the dimples on the moon with my old camera.  Now, not even close.

My question is, is there a setting I have not found on my new SX 70 HS that compares to the LIVE setting on my old  SX 520 HS.

Thank you in advance...Adrienne

[Wilsonsteeup]

Thanks Mathieu...I wish I could go back to my SX 520.  I'd love to know what the problem is but I have a feeling the cost would be more than it's worth.

I can't believe I'm so disappointed with this SX 70.  I will keep working on the settings and see what I can come up with.

Thank you again for all your help!!

[MathieuR]

Hi W,

I think with the new settings you will make fine pictures with the SX70. It is a nice camera. High IQ, huge range, beautifull colors.

But I am a "pixelpeeper", and I miss the crispness of my old SX50.

I think you will like DPP. It will improve your results.

I love my Canon camera's and lenses, but sometimes we do have our specific wishes 😎

[Wilsonsteeup]

I'm sure I will get used to it.  I have now changed my settings and am back to JPG only to see the difference.

I also miss the crispness.  In my photos of hot air balloons, specifically, You could perfectly see the lines of the patterns and seams.  With the photos I just took at our latest festival, they are soft and I am so disappointed.  A couple of them were alright but it was during night glow with tons of light. Taking photos of plants, the leaves are not distinct.  They are soft.  I'm just not used to seeing that.  Even distant photos before, were clear.  My same photos are just ok.  It's like going from a 10 to a 7.  I thought I would go the other way.

After I see what happens with the new setting, which I took al the way to 7, then I will check out the DPP from Canon.  I hate having to adjust a photo just to make it clear and not have it clear when I take it, but I don't feel I can go get a different camera right now.

Anyway, I will be doing a lot of experimenting now. 🙂

P.S.  Thank you for the link.  I'll go check it out.

[Wilsonsteeup]

By the way, I think I actually get better photos on the AV setting.  I won't use the P, I really don't like that setting.  I also purchased a Remote Switch just in case I was jiggling the camera when I snapped the photo.  I'm not sure I have noticed a change there but the jury is still out.

[MathieuR]

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4348349 

Some interesting reading.

[Wilsonsteeup]

WOW, how interesting and telling.  Hmmmm...maybe I'm expecting too much.???

[Wilsonsteeup]

Mathieu, can I pick your brain?  I am looking at the Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR.  Do you have any experience with this camera?  Also, I have been looking at the Canon EOS R50 Mirrorless Camera.  Is this the one you liked? 

I was wondering if you thought one had sharper clearer photos without having to adjust in a downloaded program?  I just can't get the SX70 settings to produce what I want to.  My SX520 was so clear without having to do anything, I just want to have something at least as good without a lot of adjusting.

Thank you in advance...Adrienne

 

 

[MathieuR]

Hi Adrienne,

Sorry to hear you are still struggling. As I have read there are options to get good jpg results with the SX70. I sold mine, but that's because I only use it as a walkaround.

I also have a G3X , and a R6II (with 4 zoomlenses and one simple 50mm prime).

I would advise to stay away from the M50-series. That's a cul-de-sac in development.

I would advise the G3X (if you can get a decent used one).

Or jump the wagon with the new generation,  eg the R7

[Wilsonsteeup]

Thank you so much Mathieu.  I have been reading about the R7 and it does seem like a very nice camera.  Gosh, all I wanted were sharp, clear photos.  It's driving me nuts that every photo is soft on the edges.  If there are, as you mention, options to get good results, I'm just not finding them.  I have changed the settings over and over again and just not finding what will work.  So frustrating!! 

Thank you again...Adrienne

[MathieuR]

Is there anybody else who has issues with the "crispness" of the pictures taken with the SX70 HS, compared with the SX50 HS ??

"They" say 20Mb is a bit too much for the small sensor, and the lack of "crispness" is caused by diffraction even when using the widest diaphragm available.