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General discussion

Flash question

Dec 4, 2004 7:20AM PST

One thing I hate about my current crappy camera is that, when taking a picture in total darkness, I pretty much have to rely on point-n-pray when it comes to capturing my subject. I've seen some cameras with an orange light that comes on before taking a flash picture, allowing the photographer to get a better sense of what's in the viewfinder.

Three questions:
1. What is this feature called?
2. Is it fairly universal at this point? If not, which cameras have it?
3. How valuable is it?

As you may have seen from my previous post, I'm in the market for an ultracompact, so I'm mostly concerned with those models.

Discussion is locked

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Re: Flash question
Dec 4, 2004 11:52AM PST

Three Answers:
1. Autofocus Illuminator or Focus Assist Lamp
2. It is not fairly universal.

I don't know of any site that has a list of cameras that have the Autofocus Illuminator. Canon is probably the biggest user of this approach to focus.

3. Most professional reviewers see it as one of the best methods of achieving auto focus under low light conditions.

....

Take a look at the Canon SD200 or SD300.
Ultra compact with Autofocus Illuminator.


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illuminator
Jan 22, 2005 4:49AM PST

I have this feature in my Olympus C5050 camera which is an older camera now.But it's a 5 MP camera and has a lots of features which I like very much.teleman

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Focus Assist
Jan 23, 2005 11:58PM PST

The Panasonic Lumix-FZ20 has a Focus Assist lamp.
I really like the FZ20 it is the culmination of many
features that I have wanted, but have never found in
a digital camera.

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focus assist
Apr 23, 2005 4:20AM PDT

A friend showed me his new ultra small Sony camera. When he took a picture (in low light) a small red light came on for a few seconds during the shutter release. The picture was beautiful. Apparently this is to assist the autofocus circuitry in low light situations. Since then I've noticed that the Panasonic Lumix DSC-FZ4 and DSC-FZ5 also seem to have this focus assist feature. Bravo!

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Does the Casio ExZ50 have this Autofocus Illuminator or
Mar 11, 2005 4:42PM PST

Does the Casio ExZ50 have this Autofocus Illuminator or Focus Assist Lamp?

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Casio Z50
Mar 12, 2005 12:08AM PST