ambient light problem

[terryo]

I have a new 850IS. One thing I like to photograph is my granddaughters' gymnastics meets, which take place in large, well-lit gymnasiums. Flash photography isn't allowed at these meets. With my previous camera (Canon 400SD digital elph) I could get good non-action photos with the ambient light. I took my first meet pictures with the new camera last weekend and am majorly disappointed. The non-flash photos are extremely dark. I figure I don't have the settings right yet. Suggestions?

Oddly, the short video I took with the same camera turned out well.

(I think my setting were for large, siperfine res, Auto mode, Hi Auto ISO)

[JTL]

I have a new 850IS. One thing I like to photograph is my granddaughters' gymnastics meets, which take place in large, well-lit gymnasiums. Flash photography isn't allowed at these meets. With my previous camera (Canon 400SD digital elph) I could get good non-action photos with the ambient light. I took my first meet pictures with the new camera last weekend and am majorly disappointed. The non-flash photos are extremely dark. I figure I don't have the settings right yet. Suggestions?

Oddly, the short video I took with the same camera turned out well.

(I think my setting were for large, siperfine res, Auto mode, Hi Auto ISO)Forget about Auto. Put it on M and raise the ISO (400-800...forget about 1600)...but, of course, your images will be grainy. Please give it a try.

The only real way to take acceptable, high qulaity shots in the conditions you describe is to get a DSLR and a decently fast lens.

If you want to stick with the pocket-cam route, and if you're not happy with the results after rasing the ISO on the 850IS, you could sell the 850IS and get a Fuji F40fd or F50fd which both will produce better available light results.