I have a Sony Cyber-Shot 12.1 mega pixels camera that we've had about 4 yrs. It's takes great pictures, of course not for long range close up ones. What I don't like about it is the delay feature when taking the picture. I was looking for one that didn't have such a delay feature in taking the picture and also a better zoom. Any suggestions?
My husband purchased Nikon Cool Pix L 810 and Olympus SZ-12, but he's telling me that he has read that they have the same delay feature. Any suggestions are appreciated and I don't want to spend more than $250 and would like the option of adding a zoom lens when I'm out taking a picture of a bird or something.
I'm never going to be a professional photographer, just want the best pictures, without so much delay of my grandchildren.
check out camera reviews on dpreview.com and read the specs for what you are interested in. I still like the optical view finder which I find keeps my camera a bit steady but they are soon going the way of film. Oh check out the sony's
Are you talking about the time to acquire focus and metering (the time from half-pressing the shutter to the camera confirming focus is achieved), or the time from the focus-locked half-pressed shutter to the shot being taken when you fully press the shutter, or the time taken after taking a shot before the camera is ready to take another photo?
The middle of those is what is typically called 'shutter lag', and most compact cameras actually have lower shutter lag than a DSLR -- many compact cameras have a shutter lag of about 10ms, whereas DSLRs rarely crack 60ms -- this is due to having to move the mirror out of the way on the DSLR, combined with a larger shutter curtain, neither of which a compact camera has.
If you are just stabbing the shutter button all the way down and getting frustrated about how long that takes, then that's always going to be a disappointment -- 99.9% of that time is spent focusing, and while a DSLR is much faster to focus, simply stabbing the shutter button is always going to result in the camera feeling unresponsive, no matter what it is. You need to pre-focus the camera by holding the shutter half-way down, and then press it fully to capture the exact moment you want.
If it's taking too long to be ready to take a second shot after the first, check the manual for burst mode options, as these can reduce the delay. Also bear in mind if you're using flash, the camera will need to wait for the flash to recharge before it can take a second shot.
There is certainly a wide range of performance between compact cameras in the first (time to focus) and last (time to be ready for a second shot) criteria -- but until we know which part of the delay is causing the problem (and that technique isn't part of the issue), it's hard to advise on what would improve it.
I think pretty much the fastest focusing compact camera is the Ricoh CX5, which offers a hybrid focusing system that can focus in 0.1 seconds, and is capable of taking three photos per second with continuous focus. That puts it on a par with, if not faster, than an entry-level DSLR with kit lens. Some other compact cameras have hybrid AF systems but Ricoh seem to have done the best job at the moment. It's got a 10.7x zoom which is pretty respectable, but you don't mention the model of your Sony so that might be more or less.
Sorry, the model # of the Sony is DSC W4230. When I refer to delay, I mean the person or people are in a group waiting for me to take the picture. I push the button all the way down and it takes so long for the picture to actually take and the subjects get restless, so a lot of times you don't get good pictures. I will look up the one you mentioned, but don't know what the price is yet. Thanks for all the help. I didn't even know about the burst mode options.
Granny7
Alexis is right about holding the button 1/2 way down. If you hold it half-way, it will focus and be ready. Then count your posers down 3-2-1 and push the button the rest of the way, most cameras will take the pic immediately.
Thanks Dave and Alexis,
I'll try holding it down half way and see if that helps. Then do more research as I would still like one that has a better zoom or that you can add another lens to it.
Panasonic Lumix tz20 is the best point and shoot camera by far.
Its not a DSLR camera but it is just a nice small camera that you can fit in your hand bag.
I would recommend this brand 100%. I'm a self taught photographer and this is buy far the best.
Check it out via youtube and type in Panasonic Lumix Tz-20
I recently bought a point and shoot, to carry around in my handbag when I dont want to take the DSLR
I went on ebay and this site http://snapsort.com/compare to choose and got a canon ixus 300. Its great, even has aperture shutter speed etc. Panasonic Lumix's are great too.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions, I will check into all of them. My husband picked up the Olympus AZ-12 Super Zoom and so far I don't think it's any better than the one I've got, but I've only tried it tonight.
@granny7 I just use a Canon Power Shot A1300 and find it great: optical viewer which I like and which most compact digitals don't have, 16 megapixels, 5x optical zoom - not too technical for me!
@quietpurplehaze Thanks Hazel, I'm looking at all of them. @ronah I'll definitely do that, like I said. I don't think my husband had them on the right setting. @kmrtn6 Thanks Kylie, looking into it all. I don't want to rush into anything. I'll have to take some pictures and let everyone compare.
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The middle of those is what is typically called 'shutter lag', and most compact cameras actually have lower shutter lag than a DSLR -- many compact cameras have a shutter lag of about 10ms, whereas DSLRs rarely crack 60ms -- this is due to having to move the mirror out of the way on the DSLR, combined with a larger shutter curtain, neither of which a compact camera has.
If you are just stabbing the shutter button all the way down and getting frustrated about how long that takes, then that's always going to be a disappointment -- 99.9% of that time is spent focusing, and while a DSLR is much faster to focus, simply stabbing the shutter button is always going to result in the camera feeling unresponsive, no matter what it is. You need to pre-focus the camera by holding the shutter half-way down, and then press it fully to capture the exact moment you want.
If it's taking too long to be ready to take a second shot after the first, check the manual for burst mode options, as these can reduce the delay. Also bear in mind if you're using flash, the camera will need to wait for the flash to recharge before it can take a second shot.
There is certainly a wide range of performance between compact cameras in the first (time to focus) and last (time to be ready for a second shot) criteria -- but until we know which part of the delay is causing the problem (and that technique isn't part of the issue), it's hard to advise on what would improve it.
I think pretty much the fastest focusing compact camera is the Ricoh CX5, which offers a hybrid focusing system that can focus in 0.1 seconds, and is capable of taking three photos per second with continuous focus. That puts it on a par with, if not faster, than an entry-level DSLR with kit lens. Some other compact cameras have hybrid AF systems but Ricoh seem to have done the best job at the moment. It's got a 10.7x zoom which is pretty respectable, but you don't mention the model of your Sony so that might be more or less.
Granny7
I'll try holding it down half way and see if that helps. Then do more research as I would still like one that has a better zoom or that you can add another lens to it.
Granny7
Its not a DSLR camera but it is just a nice small camera that you can fit in your hand bag.
I would recommend this brand 100%. I'm a self taught photographer and this is buy far the best.
Check it out via youtube and type in Panasonic Lumix Tz-20
I went on ebay and this site http://snapsort.com/compare to choose and got a canon ixus 300. Its great, even has aperture shutter speed etc. Panasonic Lumix's are great too.
@kmrtn6 Thanks Kylie, looking into it all. I don't want to rush into anything. I'll have to take some pictures and let everyone compare.