Make sure you see the "frame " form on your subject, before you take the picture. Try less zoom, and bracing the camera against something (car, window frame, etc.) to steady the shot. On the screen you should see a "frame" form around your subject (or their face) before you take the picture. If not, try pushing the shutter butter part way down, to see if the frame forms. The steadier you hold the camera, the faster it seems to focus, and the better the odds your going to get a good picture. Also note that the subject needs to be farther from the camera, for it to focus when zoomed. At 40x you must be at least 6.5 feet away from the subject, for the camera to focus. Check the manual, starting p31.