Tips for using Panasonic Lumix DSC-FX01?

[__disneygirl]

Hi everyone. We are leaving for WDW in a couple of weeks and I am semi-thrilled because I just fixed my camera! I have an old Panasonic Lumix, purchased in 2006. I really am not crazy about it even when it is working, but it's better than spending hundreds on a new one right before a trip (though, i'm worried something else will happen while we're at WDW... wouldn't that be lovely? so I still may buy a new one...). It captures the moment. It gets the point across. But it's not amazing. I feel like it used to take such better pictures than it does now. I know it's not me because I like the actual framing of pictures I've taken, it just seems the quality has just gone down... when I upload them onto the computer sometimes they can look even cell phone quality. Not what I expected from a $450 camera, even at 4 years old. Sigh.

It's just a simple point and shoot but I was hoping someone would have some tips on how to maximize this camera's potential. I will be digging around in the Black Hole (aka: my closet) trying to find the camera manual I had long since given up on to see what I can squeeze from that.

Thanks SO much to anyone who can offer any advice. I looked on other sites but nothing beats the DIS.

Have a magical day...

 

[Spokesmayne]

4 years in Camera terms is almost ancient As weird as it sounds, technology changes constantly and therefore raises our standards of what we think a "good picture" is.

I think that may be PART of the problem. But generally speaking, usually as cameras get old, so do the lenses and parts inside of them. Think of it as a piece of glass. When you get it, it's brand new... nice and shiny. But after a while the glass starts to dull, get smudges, and wear down after a while.

These things can add up to a picture not looking "as good" as it could. You could try adjusting the "white balance" on the camera, as well as the "contrast" and also the "quality" of the picture in size. Sometimes it will be set to low quality to make more room for storage on your card. If you want the BEST quality out of your camera, you have to go in manually and set it to SUPER FINE.

Go inside the menu button on the camera! There's lots of things you can do to improve the picture, even if it's post production (on the computer).

I don't think the cameras going to go out on you anytime soon, just don't drop it!

Good luck and enjoy your trip! We look forward to the pics you take!