canon a540 produces dark underexposed pictures

I just got a Canon A540 Powershot and it consistently produces dark
underexposed pictures. Any comments suggestions? I'm comparing it to
my A510 and other Powershot cameras--so I no it's dark and underexposed.

 

Without more information about what settings you used and under
what conditions (flash vs. no flash, etc.) there are too many
possibilities to consider. One thing you can do if you still have
your A510 is to take shots of the same subject under the same
conditions. Set both cameras to the same ISO, make sure that the
flash is disabled, that both cameras are using no exposure
compensation, and determine (using either camera) what the proper
exposure should be. Then with both cameras set to Manual Mode, use
the same shutter speeds and apertures for a pair of comparison
shots. Ideally, you'll want to see approximately the same exposure
from both shots, which would probably indicate that you overlooked
some difference in settings between both cameras. Different
metering modes could easily be responsible for the differences
you've noticed, but for some - not all shots. Different levels of
exposure compensation would effect all shots. What shooting modes
have you used for the A640 that produced underexposure, and what
were the shutter speeds and apertures used?

 

I forgot to mention that i'm using both AUTO mode for both cameras.
I'm generally going to use AUTO mode. if no one else has this problem,
then it's possible that it mine might be defective.

 

Uh, ok. But that's not the only possibility. Suit yourself.

 

A540s generally make pics whose colors are more saturated than other
cameras turn out, but not darker. Take a look at the suggestions on how
to handle dark images on page 92 of the Advanced Camera User Guide for
the A540.