Images Can Be Blurry in Low Light: Two Solutions to Fix That

Brenda has a new Sony HX50V Camera and she loves it.  However, when she was taking pictures today, she wondered why some of her inside images were blurry.  After checking the image data, I noticed that one image was shot at 1/8th of a second.  The Camera had automatically chosen that speed.

There are two quick ways to correct this:

1) You can get a $15 light weight monopod from Wal-Mart to steady the camera.  I shot the image below using a monopod.  In this case, the blurred effect was intentional and looks good.  However, for regular shots with no motion in them, a monopod can potentially get rid of the blur from the camera setting the shutter speed too low.

2) Get out of automation if you can.  If you have the option to not let the camera do all the thinking for you, you can override all kinds of things.  On Brenda's Sony HX50V, there is an option to select the shutter speed.  Based on my own experience, which will vary by camera and individual, I try not to shoot below 1/50th of a second if I am handholding the camera, but I can sometimes get by with 1/40th or 1/30th. Getting to know your equipment and testing it out for yourself is the best way to know.  If you are trapped by automation, there is not much you can do but try and steady the camera with a monopod or tripod or upgrade to a model that will let you think for it rather than the other way around.