Done! I made a few changes - using P mode. Limited ISO to 1600, set Metering to Multi, af mode 1-area, quality to fine. The photos are looking better already - however i'm having a very hard time getting clear photos. They are typically blurry as if I'm moving, or if the shutter speed is too slow on auto. I confirmed stability and auto focus is enabled.

Here is a idle subject:

http://i.imgur.com/zPDLQ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/JFVzZ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/u1lCh.jpg

Does anyone know of a quick guide or list of recommended settings that I can try out? Remember - Manual mode or tinkering with ISO settings is not ideal for the application.

The kit lens that comes with it is not adequate for low light photos. You'll need a 'fast' lens. You are getting blurry photos because the camera is trying to get proper exposure by setting a slow shutter speed.

Your moving subjects are more likely blurry because of motion blur, from using too slow a shutter speed. Your indoor photos are probably also blurry because of camera shake from too slow a shutter speed... or dark from too fast of a shutter speed.

Your flash photo has the focus in the wrong place and the DOF is too shallow... I mean, it would be perfect DOF if the focus was in the correct spot. The immensely large DOF of your S100 would have kept everything in focus without the need to actually be focused in the right place. The focus is on the back of the cat, and those hairs are perfectly sharp. The cat's face is out of the focus field, and therefore makes the photo look blurred or soft. You need to be careful to pick your own focus point instead of letting the camera do it for you.

All of that means that you pretty much need to learn to use our camera out of Auto, and get a faster lens.

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Thanks guys. I snapped the photo without focusing (trying to simulate how my mother would). I think the lense is just "not for her". I was possibly under the wrong impression that the Vario lense would be superior to what comes fitted inside of a S95/100. It's all about pro's and con's. I think the P&S Pro;s would lean in the area's that are most useful for the casual shooter. That said - I think i'll need to opt for something with a faster lens/iauto mode.

So where does that leave me? How do I identify the proper requirements for lense
speed? The s100 was able to capture photos of moving people without flash indoors.these photos looked much better than their flash counterpart.please advise .thanks

Get the 20/1.7 lens. It'll be like night and day.

Ahh the budget has been exceeded as the camera cost $550+.

Since getting a new lens isn't a option, I'll regretfully have to return the camera. The question is, what qualities should I look for in the lens of the next one I try out ?

The s95/s100 was only fast at the wide end, so perhaps a GF3 + 14/2.5 bundle can be found for your budget.

The pancake may not have enough zoom :(

Unfortunately I may have to just get a S100 with grips and be done with it. I appreciate all of your comments and help. I'll stick around when I get a camera of my own.

If anyone has last minute suggestions please do send my way - even if its a PM! Thanks.