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General discussion

Newbie needs digital camera help

Jul 1, 2005 9:01AM PDT

I don't know a thing about camera's, and that's why I'm coming here-- to hopefully get some help! Happy

I want to buy a digital camera and have been looking around. My friend just got a Canon Powershot SD300, and I love it, because it takes nice pictures and is SO small. However, I noticed when I was using it, there is a pause between when I click the button to when the picture actually takes. I don't know what the technical term for this is, but what is that delay? Its frustrating to me, because I was trying to take pictures of my friend playing basketball, but everytime I clicked the button for the perfect picture of him making a shot... it took what seemed like 3 seconds to actually take! And when that 3 seconds passes...the great picture opportunity is over.

So I am hoping to get a little insight on what this delay is, which camera's I can get that WON'T have that long of a delay, etc. Any advice would be SO helpful! Thank you!

Discussion is locked

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uhh
Jul 1, 2005 9:18AM PDT

okay I figured out what shutter lag is...but I do still need help figuring out which camera's have the LEAST shutter-lag...any suggestions?

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digital cameras and shutter lag
Jul 1, 2005 9:55AM PDT

I did a lot of research before i purchased my most recent digital camera

two sites i found very helpful:
Digital Camera Resource Page http://www.dcresource.com/
and
Steve' Digicam
http://www.steves-digicams.com/

i woulnd up purchasing the Panasonice Lumix FZ-20
LOVE IT
Great optical zoom
its a camera i will grow into
and so far my PIX are EXCELLENT!
good luck with your search

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Shutter Lag
Jul 1, 2005 10:45AM PDT

How to deal with shutter lag:

1. Frame your shot, press the shutter button halfway down (this lets the autofocus lock - the longest part of the lag).

2. Reframe your shot, press the shutter button the rest of the way down. (Your actual lag then will be only 0.1 second or less).

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The camera manufacturers do not normally publish shutter lag information.

You have to glean it from the reviews.

Here is one good source of shutter lag information:

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

Look up the camera you are interested in.
Go to the "Conclusion" page and start reading.
You will normally find shutter lag info on that page.

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The SD300 acutally has a pretty short shutter lag.
(0.3 second - when not using flash). That is better than average)

Four of the Casio cameras have the shortest shutter lags (0.1 second):

Casio Z750, X57, Z50, Z55

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If you want better shutter lag results.....you need to look at the DSLR (digital single lens reflex) cameras.
These are expensive.....starting around $1,000.

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