Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

best digital cameras for low shutter lag?

May 14, 2005 3:51PM PDT

i'm looking into buying a camera, my priorities (in order) are:

1. as little shutter lag as possible. taking a picture after my friends have been posing for 3 seconds would drive me nuts.

2. ultracompact design. the thinner the better. i plan to take the camera to parties, bars, etc so it must be pocketable.

3. big lcd. this is a distant third... but 2 and 2.5 inch lcd's just look cool.

any suggestions?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Canon IXUS series will do
May 14, 2005 10:01PM PDT

I think that Canon IXUS series will definitely suit your requirements. It's very small around the wallet size with 2-inch LCD and quite acceptable shutter speed. The picture quality is outstanding while shooting in the dimmer light. I'd suggest that you go for either SD400 ( IXUS 50 )or SD500 ( IXUS 700 ). These 2 cameras have pretty much the same features. But, if you want to spend less and don't need that many mega-pixels, go for SD 300 ( IXUS 40 ) instead. Good luck.

- Collapse -
Low Shutter Lag
May 15, 2005 12:03AM PDT

I agree with Jump1127 on the SD series of cameras by Canon.

A word about shooting in bars and other dark areas:
If you are planning on using flash, that should work fine.
If you are planning to shoot using just available light, you will likely be disappointed with any point-and-shoot camera.
Shooting with available light is difficult for any camera and requires manual adjustments and a very steady hand.

By the way.....the SD500 has a stronger flash than the other cameras in the SD series.

...
..
.

- Collapse -
Translation: Shooting in low light with a digital camera
May 15, 2005 2:15PM PDT

will produce a noticeably long 'shutter open' period. The camera and your subjects cannot move while the shutter is open. If they do, the picture will blur. The shutter must stay open to collect enough light for the image.

- Collapse -
gracias
May 20, 2005 12:29AM PDT

cool - thanks for the advice.

- Collapse -
SD500 blurry/dark pictures
Jun 5, 2005 4:55PM PDT

Hi,

I just bought a Canon SD500 and am having issues with shooting pics in low lighting, especially at night outdoors. The background is all dark and the flash is too strong, and sometimes the images are blurred. I've tried using their recommended setting of "slow synchro" (ie. slow shutter speed), and increasing the ISO speed (to 400)- the lighting is fine, but there is too much noise and blurriness. Does anyone have any recommendations on good settings to shoot in the dark? I have one more day left to return this camera! Thanks.

- Collapse -
blurry/dark pictures
Jun 6, 2005 5:17AM PDT

I believe you should return the camera.

Then you need to rethink what you are expecting a camera to do.

The SD500 has a flash range of 16.4 feet, if you are not using any optical zoom.
It has a flash range of 8.7 feet, if you are using any optical zoom.

You main subject must be within those footages.

If you are outdoors and there is no natural/artifical light behind the subject, then it will be pitch black in the photo.

As you tried, ''slow synchro'' does help light up the background but it also slows down the shutter speed.
That means you must hold the camera perfectly still or use a tripod, to prevent blurring the photo.

Increasing the ISO will (in effect) add more light but it will also add noise. But noise can be removed with software.

............................................

Your expectations exceed the capability of that camera.

............................................

1. All digital cameras except DSLR (digital single lens reflex) cameras will have noise in the photo at ISO 400.

2. Few digital cameras have a flash that can reach beyond 16.4 feet when Optical zoom is not used.
The ones that can, tend to be big-zoom cameras (10X -12X).

3. I only know of one camera that has a flash rating that is the same when using/not-using optical zoom.
That is the Panasonic FZ20, which has a flash rating of 23 feet, zoomed or not zoomed. However if you use ISO 400 you will get noise.

.....................................

To be able to hand hold a camera while making the flash shot you want, you will need something like a Canon Rebel 350D (or better) that is equipped with a 50mm f1.8 lens.
Even then, you will need to use some manual control to accomplish the task.

...
..
.

- Collapse -
Thanks
Jun 7, 2005 2:17PM PDT

Thanks for the response! It was *very* helpful.

- Collapse -
Steves Digicams
May 20, 2005 10:25AM PDT

When you narrow your field you should read the "conclusion" section @....

http://www.steves-digicams.com/

... because he does a great job of going into detail about shutter lag, power-on-to-first-shot-saved, and several other important measurements that you hardly ever hear about at other review sites.

It may not have been on your short list but you should take a long look at the Casio's for ultracompacts with low shutterlag. I'm with you, ultracompacts are best used for candid shots at... well, CANDID moments! The shutterlag and just importantly time it takes to turn on the camera and actually record the image were critical to me. One big reason I opted for a Casio as my "take everywhere" camera.