Olympus x-825 digital compact help req'd

I have a Digital Compact Olympus x-825 and since getting it I have been frustrated by several things (maybe just me , I don;t know) but trying to take scenery shots, the view I see in my viewfinder is nowhere near as clear as I see from my eyes and even when taken doesn't show any of the detail I want (and was used to getting with cheaper , more basic non digital compacts). I can get people/animal shots okay but scenery I really struggle with. The images are not fuzzy just lacking in detail and therefore very bland and uninteresting.
The other very frustrating problem I have is taking night shots. e.g. there is a beautiful moonscape I see often and have tried numerous times to capture without success. In it the moon is very clear in a dark clear night sky and reflecting off a sea filled bay, the reflection is very clear to the naked eye as is the sheen of the water. I have tried following all the (very limited )instructions in the manual, resting the camera on a level still firm surface, using different settings etc and all I get is a fuzzy yellowish blob and blackness.
Please help as I am now losing lots of photo opportunities because I am frustrated and reluctant to get the camera out now.
Sorry this is a bit long winded for a first post but I am SO frustrated.! Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi Clumber,

First thing is to get out the manual and have a good read through it - it should give you an insight into your cameras various modes, and tell you a little about things like ISO.

Second thing is to read our Photography Basics guides (see upper right hand side >>) as they go through some of the most common basics you'll need.

Finally, welcome to the world of photography there is no 'magic' point and click solution, the skill comes in being able to set-up your camera to do what you want. While camera's are very intelligent these days, they still need us to help them out - and we do that by setting the various settings for the type of photo we want.

Hope that helps!

First of all I have been trying to find a retail outlet that actually sells that model of camera to very little avail. You don't say how long you have owned the camera but if its under a year old it would still be under warrantee but I suspect it is at least 2 years old, Your best bet maybe to send it back to Olympus for a checkover.

In the list on the link that particular model isn't even there

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Olympus

One reviewer on the 820

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/read...&opinion=38564

So by this it seems your not the only one to have a few problems with this camera
Bazza

I would say it could be user error - your frustration won't help (believe me, I know!! ) it just serves to make you rush and get cross I'm sure! Soooo... relax read the manual, really look into the basics of photography, and take time to practice and apply your new learned ideas! You'll get there!

xx

OK thanks. One of the reasons I'm so frustrated is the manual is NO HELP at all. However I shall look yet again but my feeling is that here will be much more helpful, the little I've read so far is very informative. I will keep you posted. Thanks.

Good luck!
Also try posting some photos on here that you aren't happy with. We might be able to see where the problem lay.