Canon powershot users. Is my camera flash broken?

Question

I have a canon powershot a630, when I turn the flash on the picture turns out very dark. When I turn it off, the picture is bright but blurry. The movie recorder works perfectly (without a flash). The flash still lights up, but what is going on here? I'm not a photographer so I have no clue. I am using the camera on auto setting.

I have tried changing a bunch of settings, the picture is only dark when the flash comes on.

Answer 1

It sounds like your camera is working fine, but there may be a flash issue. Whenever the flash is turned on in the program mode, the camera picks a faster shutter speed which doesn't allow for much available light to get thru allowing for the flash to do the lighting. When you turn the flash off, it selects a much slower shutter speed which lets a lot of available light thru and because the shutter speed is so slow, it show moving subjects as a blur and still subjects also because your hand holding the camera is also moving. Check to see if the flash exposure compensation is turn down to negative direction if so change it to normal or shift it to a positive position. If that's not the case raise you ISO setting to ISO 400 or higher

Answer 2

Time to READ & STUDY the Owner's manual for your camera, especially the section titled "Using Flash".

You first state "I am using the camera on auto setting." and then state "I have tried changing a bunch of settings...".

Changing settings without knowing what they do or why you should change them leads to confusion (for you) and poor camera performance.

READ & STUDY that Owner's Manual.

Answer 3

Do you by any chance have a finger, or lock of hair in front of the flash??

Answer 4

put it back in the box and take it back to the store and ask them for a replacement if you bought it within 90 days. If not you may be out of luck.