Focus problems. . .

Hmm.. press lightly on the button before pressing it all the way? With mine, if you just press it quickly, it turns out blurry.

 

Do not use zoom! Just step closer and take the picture. Part of the reason why you are getting blurry pictures is that when the lens is extended out further, it's going to catch any slight movement/hand shake.

Either you step closer or you use a tripod to take the shot.

 

Also, make sure you have "MACRO" set. Even though you don't think you're doing extreme closeups, the camera will perform better in macro mode.

 

Try adjusting the focus manually?

Also (and please forgive me if this is a stupid question ^^) - are you sure the blur's not due to too low a shutter speed?

 

the universal symbol for macro mode is a tulip, if its not on your camera then you probably don't have the function.

 

Hi, I've checked out your camera at www.dpreview.com and it suggests that your model is capable of macro shots down to 5cm. Which is pretty good. Check the manual to see how to use the settings, it'll help you take sharper closeups.

 

Other tricks to better photos:

Click the button down half-way until your camera focuses (on mine a green box shows up on the screen showing what is the camera's "focus point"), then push the button all the way down -- and don't lift your finger until the photo shows up on screen!

When you push the button down and then immediately lift your finger back up, this jostles the camera slightly, making your photos much blurrier! If you hold the button down the entire time, until the photo shows up on your display screen, you'll have less blur.

Also, slowly exhale while taking your photos. Normally this is a painting technique to keep a steady hand while painting, but it works with photos, too.

Lastly, I take 4-5 photos for each angle/pose/whatever. That way, if 2 or 3 are blurry, I still have at least one good one!

I learned to reduce blur while taking photos of Pinkies (which are 10cm high) and photos of the inside of French churches (you are not allowed to use flash inside French churches).