WHEN SHOOTING ON AUTO OR PROGRAM W/BUILT-IN OR EXTERNAL FLASH @ THE SAME DISTANCE WITH THE SAME SETTINGS THE IMAGES ARE NOT LIT WITH THE SAME LIGHTING. ONE IS DARK WHILE THE OTHER IS PROPERLY EXPOSED. AT OTHE TIMES, IF THERE IS SOMETHING IN FRONT OF THE SUBJECT THEN THE SUBJECT IS UNDER EXPOSE & THE SUBJECT IS NOT ALWAYS IN FOCUS. i DO NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM WHEN NOT USING FLASH OUTDOORS OR INSIDE IN LOW LIGHT. jUST WHEN i SEEM TO USE FLASH. i HAVE NOT USED FLASH OUT SIDE IN THE SUN LIGHT YET.