Jet lag: a reader request for fast digital cameras
December 9, 2005

Submitted by: Eric Lenning, via e-mail
I'm looking to buy a new digital camera, and one of the most important features to me, even more so than megapixels, is a very short (or nonexistent) shutter delay. Is an SLR my only option, or can you suggest a non-SLR (and less-expensive) camera that has virtually no shutter delay? Thanks for your help!!

Lori Grunin, senior editor
Well, there's fast, and then there's consistently fast; if you want the latter, then yes, you'll need a digital SLR. Shutter delay has two major components. The first, delay that occurs after focus, has become negligible in the better cameras. The real delay these days is the result of sluggish focusing, and focusing speed varies according to the scene and lighting conditions. In addition, what you call shutter delay is only half of the camera speed problem. If you're looking for a camera that can take a subsequent shot as quickly as the first--what we refer to as shot-to-shot time--that's where the dSLRs go to the head of the class, because they combine minimal shutter delay with fast focusing and fast image processing so that the whole shooting experience feels better. Luckily, the Canon EOS Rebel XT, one of the less-expensive dSLR options, is also one of the fastest.

There are a few point-and-shoot models that deliver minimal shutter delay, however. Based on our testing, these models all had a shutter delay of 0.3 second or less in bright lighting, 0.5 second or less in hard-to-focus situations, and a shot-to-shot time (in good light) of less than 2.5 seconds.

• Digital camera buying guide
• Digital cameras forum

• New digital camera reviews
• Digital camera memory-card selector

• Back to countdown index

Got a holiday shopping question for our editors?

Send it to us!