Blurred pictures every time i take pictures with my Canon PowerShot A530, pictures always come out to be blurred inspite of using new batteries. What do you think the problem is, can anybody help me out?

First make sure that you are using quality batteries, and not "super heavy duty". If so, some of The Canon Powershot A530 and A540 cameras are subject to an advisory recall. Seems that a small spring on the battery compartment door can short out the batteries. Suspect this of yours, in that you mention that your batteries aren't lasting long. If your camera is on the list, Canon should fix this for you for free, including free shipping both ways. This is regardless of your camera's warranty status. Please see this link for more info.

The date stamp only works in "Postcard" resolution. Press the "Func Set" button, then scroll down to the bottom to select postcard resolution.

Then press the menu button. Select the "Camera" menu, then scroll down to the the Date Time Stamp selection to turn it on.

Some of The Canon Powershot A530 and A540 cameras are subject to an advisory recall. Seems that a small spring on the battery compartment door can short out the batteries. Suspect this of yours, in that you mention that your batteries aren't lasting long. If your camera is on the list, Canon should fix this for you for free, including free shipping both ways. This is regardless of your camera's warranty status. Please check this link for more info.
　

Your camera is designed to be a source of pictures, not a destination. If you want to copy pictures to a memory card, you need to use a card reader and not a camera.

Alicia,
Mentioned on my blog that the last paragraph of the advisory states:

""PowerShot A530 and A540 digital cameras affected by this phenomenon will be repaired free of charge, regardless of warranty status. Accordingly, if the opening/closing spring on the inside of the battery cover of your PowerShot A530 or A540 digital camera sticks out, please do not use the camera. Instead, please contact a Canon call center (1-800-OK-CANON) at your earliest convenience."

But also mentioned that if they don't help, a temporary fix is to insulate the spring from the battery contact plate. Merely place a small piece of tape between the portion of spring that's sticking out and the metal battery contact plate.

so set it

Set it to the highest ISO that you can. Then set it to auto mode, or nite shot, or set the shutter to 60th of a second.

EZ Fix for non working flash on Canon A530:
Remove batteries
Remove memory card
Remove date/time battery (tiny door next to battery hole)
Wait a minute.
Replace the items
Rest the date/time
Shoot!

Hi, On another brand/model of a digicam, a similar problem was fixed by cleaning the battery terminals/contacts. The ends of the terminals that pushes on the battery were partially corroded hence the batteries were not getting full contact. They were cleaned by scraping off the corrosion and applying a strong solvent using cotton buds. Further, they were bend a little to add more pressure to the batteries. If the above does not work, it is possible that the flash charging circuitry is defective and drawing much power than it should normally be. Try operating the digicam with the flash off. If this likewise is a "no joy", perhaps your camera would need the services of a qualified professional. Hope this be of some idea/help. Post back how things turn up or should you need further information. Good luck and kind regards.

sounds like the flash isn't charging, as the flash icon flashes while the flash is charging before letting you take the photo. Put it in "P" and disable the flash and see if it'll let you take a photo. G>