I'm finding that a lot of my pics end up with camera shake. I have the Cannon A520, before I had a Kodak something which had less features, and I didn't had that shake.

I think it may be because of two things, but since I'm a newbie, maybe there's other things I could shake.

1. I just move the camera with my finger when I click the shutter. I have to learn not to do it.
2. I may have played with a setting that makes the camera take the pic slower and so catch more movement. I think this isn't what's causing most, since I set the ASA to 200 or 400, but I may be wrong.

I also tried to set a 1second delay between the click and the actual pic, so the button is not causing it, but even then I get shaky pics.

I think I'm getting around 25% of that. I'm reviewing the pics at site so I can retake them if they're blurry, but I would like to know some tips so I can prevent the shake. A tripod is not an option, since I use it for biking trips.

Thanks a lot and happy 2006!

A few things to try...

...Get a handlebar mount so you can use your bike as a tripod.
...Are you holding the camera against your face? Holding it out away from your face can result in more shake.
...Keep the shutter speed as fast as possible.
...Find rocks, trees, walls, anything to brace against.
...Take a deep breath and then exhale about halfway and hold your breath before releasing the shutter.
...Get an eyebolt that will fit in your camera's tripod mount. Rig a piece of light rope with a loop in one end that will fit over your foot and a hook that will fit in that eyebolt on the other end. Put your foot in the loop, the hook in the eyebolt and pull upwards so that the tension will help steady the camera.
...Tuck your elbows in against your body.

Thanks a lot! I'll try that

Hey, just wanted to throw one thing out there.

No offense to Chunk, the ideas are great. The holding breath thing isn't quite right though. Actually if you take a few deep breaths you can oxygenate your blood. Then at the bottom of a slow deep breath right as all of your air has been expelled....right as you are about to or are beginning to inhale is when you are the steadiest.

A lot of instruction on shooting (guns) has taught me that.

I'm thankful for the correction Ebar.

You need to make sure the shutter speed doesn't go below 100 if you are steady, more if you are moving. More zoom means you need a faster shutter speed (greater number).

The faster the shutter speed, the steadier the picture.

Are you sure you are moving the camera? If all the frame is blurred, then you are moving the camera. If only the subject is blurred, your subject is moving fast, and you need a faster shutter speed to "froze" the picture.