I bought a camera in Dec 2012 (Canon PowerShot SX500 IS). I loved the camera for its 30x optical magnification and very light compared to a regular DSLR. It was quite cheap; around RM 1000 only at that time.

In mid-2013, I realised that the pictures taken didn't look crisp as when I first bought it. I thought I overused the zooming function. The warranty was overdue.

If it's the lens problem, is there a way to fix it by yourself?

Here are the samples:
Before: https://imgur.com/a/yd52a
After: https://imgur.com/a/5hX6u

UPDATED:
More samples here https://imgur.com/a/IRv0H

This post has been edited by gabe_flxtcher: Nov 13 2017, 02:29 PM

Can you post a few photos here, so that we can judge better?

I've put the link in my post now. You may check it.

Looks like the focusing is off. Are you able to manually focus to infinity (and shoot to somewhere far) and check the image again?

Yes, I'm able to. But still can't fix the issue.
The pictures taken before they started looking blurry were all taken with autofocus.
I'll upload some new samples tomorrow. It's already dark now ~

This post has been edited by gabe_flxtcher: Nov 12 2017, 05:34 PM

Looks normal to me.

It's a compact camera with super zoom capability.

It is normal to have those images dropping in image quality when you zoom a lot.

The camera's zooming capability is 35mm film equivalent at 24-720mm, best image quality could be at the 350mm point +/-

On the widest and most tele it is not uncommon to see the lens weakness crop up like chromatic abberation and flaring.

Could be your fingerprints or worse fungus for all we know. Would be better off buying a new camera than repair at this time. Looks like even my mid tier smartphone cam is better than TS's pictures

if the quality drops when i zoom the pictures, i would've not buy the camera... the quality degraded after almost a year since i bought it.

https://imgur.com/a/IRv0H

here's some new samples with manual focus

This post has been edited by gabe_flxtcher: Nov 13 2017, 02:26 PM

if there's fungi, it would've bred and blocked the whole lens. i've been using it since 2012 and the image lost its clarity in late 2013.

Few factors.
1. You're not comparing apples to apples. Different settings would have very different results.
The aperture, focal length and working distance all can affect it and give you different results. This is true even for several thousand dollars dslr lens. Superzoom compacts will be even more apparent. I know it's inconvenient, but try having a photo with very similar circumstances for comparison.

2. You might have knocked the camera. Then one of the lens goes out of alignment causing it to be blur.
If impact is not a factor, temperature change (day-night cycle) might affect the lens alignment too. Especially when it's a cheap lens and the lens might not be secured completely.

3. Fungus inside. It can grow slowly. I've a lens with fungus. After 5 years and it is still a small spot.

This post has been edited by LegendLee: Nov 13 2017, 03:10 PM

No, I'm just stating the facts. The samples you've shown also exhibit those characteristics.

Even zoom lenses that costs more than your camera have such characteristics.

When your camera covers such a zoom range, do not in the first place have expectation that from the widest to the most telephoto having perfect sharpness and no image degradation.

Lenses don't work that way.

Yup, those are exactly the degradation one face when using super zoom lenses.

Lighting conditions will affect how severe those degradation appears.

........not sure if you think fungus as mushroom growing inside lens . Google lens fungus. If there are enough fungi, dust and smear, it will blur the image due to out of focus blurring of particles on lens.

Btw, this is 2017, have you taken any present samples? If image gotten worse than 2013, it proves my theory. Otherwise, could be just the varying quality based on focal length settings.

the new link "UPDATED" that i added shows all the pics i took this noon
i know what's the diff between fungus & mushroom LOL

This post has been edited by gabe_flxtcher: Nov 13 2017, 05:19 PM

i agree with you but i meant this: when I compare and zoom in the photos taken before and after it degraded to 100%, i can see the diff in sharpness.

maybe i did knocked it once or it happened without my knowledge.
can overusing a camera make the pics blurry?

Overusing as in snapping a photo will not make it blurry.
But constantly knocking it or scratching it will cause the image quality to degrade over time.

This post has been edited by LegendLee: Nov 13 2017, 05:22 PM

Well just guessing here since the sypmtom looks oddly familiar. Is there anything in front of the lens by any chance?

Try to use torchlight and shine into the lens just to check if anything inside the lens also.

No you don't. Otherwise you won't be saying block entire lens for some reason

fungi can cover up the whole surface ~ that's what i meant

I think enough of fungi debate.

i don't see anything weird inside my lens. check this to see the lens for yourself https://imgur.com/a/CHSTI
if you found something weird, tell me...

......now I'm even more curious how you get that close up shot.

Cannot see clearly, but is there a filter attached to the front? Cause there should be something written in front, but can't see. If there is, how about taking that off and take another shot.

i zoomed in the lens. it creates a deeper apparent depth (physics LOL). also i use my phone to take the pic
never put a filter on the lens before (and now)...
https://i.imgur.com/lRx31xh.jpg see this to see the front of the lens

This post has been edited by gabe_flxtcher: Nov 13 2017, 07:02 PM

You sure? Cause I can see a bit of 4.3mm at your lens corner which seems like blocked by something. Maybe try checking real close if got filter on it. Cause funnily I heard of cases where people didn't even realise there is a filter in front cause they bought it second hand.

Well, if that's just the barrel zoom extension, guess it's your camera defect.

This is what I google on your camera model:


This is yours:


This post has been edited by TrialGone: Nov 13 2017, 07:21 PM

that's not the filter label... it's the label on the side of the lens just like the pic you googled.
here: https://i.imgur.com/TvqiVlZ.jpg

Well, guess it is kaput.......... in 'sharpness' sense. Though I'm not sure if it's just cause of settings issue, lens coating issue, different sharpness at different zoom pointed out by others, or whatnot. You can try to repair it, but really what's the point

From what I look, the focusing is slightly off, could be something to do with your lens elements.

If you want something decent from superzoom camera, you would need to fork out quite a bit to get the RX10 series.

the point is, i want to see far things clearer. i'm curious of what i can't see, something far from me. if the sharpness is "meh", i cannot see anything with details

RM 4600. no thanks but i found some alternatives which is around RM1500 only.

Those have the softness issue due to the cost-cutting lens. There is nothing much to expect from a cheap bridge.

I looked at the BEFORE and AFTER shots again and again, both looked equally bad. LOL.

In the AFTER shots, those super duper zoomed in look acceptable for super zoom quality.

It's difficult to gauge without any EXIF info, for example it could be just area of focus or a matter of slight blur due to shutter speed.

The latest link is better.

What you should do, since this is a super zoom lens - test is at ONE location. Put if on a tripod if you may, if not then put it on a fence or a car.

Then you shoot using AF mode - from widest to the most zoomed in at the same location.