Have a question about camera focus

[Tercel_driver]

I have the Coolpix 2.0 Good camera, but one thing I have found out is that it is not easy to take good pictures at night, even though the camera supports it in one of the many modes it has. The picture actually shows but a little blurry. The only way to take a crisp clear picture is to put it on a stable and unmovable position. Is this common for all cameras? or it is just mine. (this happens when I try to take pictures of landscapes rather than people)

What should I do? Should I exchange it for another one?

 

[lsk8er]

On most night modes the camera takes a slow shutter shot meaning any movement will blur the picture. Using a tripod cures that, its no reason to take the camera back.

 

[Burnout]

The camera uses the slow shutter to allow more time for the light at night to enter the lense, but in return also allows for movement. Just, when at night, either use a flash or put it somewhere very stable.

 

[lsk8er]

It makes for some awesome shots!

 

[GilesGuthrie]

As a general rule, you can handhold to shutter speeds that are the reciprocal of the focal length. So, if your focal length is 70mm, you can handhold for up to 1/70s.

Obviously, there is some merit in this, because the longer the focal length, the more likely it is that the image will be affected by camera shake, because small movements of the camera have larger impacts on the image as the focal length increases.

The absolute time for which you can keep a camera stock still depends on the camera and the individual. I find it easier to hold heavy cameras steady,a nd can handhold my SLR down to about 1/3 to 1/2 second, depending on the temperature. My digital camera is much lighter, and I can generally only handhold that down to about 1/15.