I suspect you have a dodgy camera and the pics are bad because it's dodgy, not because it's Chinese. If you got a new one the same make it might be perfect but it might not be. I bought a chinese camera to replace my Bushnell when it died and it was terrible, but I've heard reports people with the same make having no problems.
I just reckon the percentage of duff cameras per production run is higher with the cheaper ones. I got a Browning in the end and it's spot on. I think it was just over £100.