Powershot a570 is poor performance

[tkjdnow]

Three issues on my one week old camera:

It does not seem to capture images which are as sharp as my 3 year old Kodak 3 mp digital. I have been using the AUTO setting on both just to compare.

The camera also completely drained newly charged NIMH Energizer 2500 batteries in about 60 shots. (Charged with an Energizer charger)

The 512 PNY sd card holds only 35 Large photos, although the specs say it can carry 100 plus.

I am not going to return the camera, I just want to like it better.

Will a better quality battery charger like the Maha really help?

Will a high speed sd card help?

[griptape]

You have either a defective card or camera if it's only holding 35 pictures. That would be nearly 15mb per picture, and the file size should be 5mb or under.

[tkjdnow]

I checked the images on my computer, and they are between 2.2 and 4.4 mb.

I bought the camera on-line, and my return window is closed.

Is there a way to make the images more crisp?

I do not know how to post sample photos.

I bought the camera based on research on this site, and am really disappointed in it.

[bascom]

I bought the camera on-line, and my return window is closed.
That may be the problem. Sounds like you got a lemon. What website did you buy from? How much did they charge? The return window closed after only one week? If the camera is defective will they take a return? I always buy from brick and mortar stores for reasons like this.

[Rob vdKam]

What format/size settings are you using to get those file sizes? You said Large, but what about compression? Fine, etc?

[blownoff]

as to the power consumptioin，two pack 2000mAh AA batteries can supply power for 130 shots，similar to the previous A series. Usually I turn on the Anti-Shake function all the time, if you set the function under "when shotting" or "turn off", maybe it can last longer.