Help! Are all digital cameras this way?

Question

I got tired of having to take 6 or 7 disposable cameras to my Mardi Gras type events in Florida. Instead, I purchased a 200.00 HP M407, along with a 256 memory stick. The problem I'm having is I can't seem to find a way to point and shoot before the action has already taken place. I press the shutter, but the camera has to access the memory card, then the flash goes off, then I look up and realize I'm all alone and the crowd is halfway down the freaking street!! Are all digital cameras like this, or am I doing something wrong?

Answer 1

Mine is also like that, I read that a good way to overcome that, is to try and use the sport mode. When you are getting ready to take a picture, push the button half-way down, then when you want to snap the picture, you will be ready..hope this helped..

Answer 2

Registration.. has the best answer here so far, but I can add a few points.

Yes, there are some great expensive d-SLR cameras out there. But you don't really need that if you are careful about buying another good point-&-shoot camera.

Read www.dpreview.com. They have great reviews and camera summaries. They actually measure shutter response time.

I have a Fuji Finepix F700 that is 2 years old & I've learned a few things.

1) Fuji's are just better than most when it comes to fast response time, including the shutter. They use xD memory which is faster.

2) It has an optical viewfinder that I like to use so I can turn off the LCD screen.

3) The camera emits a stupid shutter sound effect from its speaker. You can turn this off too, and shutter response time is faster.

4) By all means, pre-focus the lens by pointing at the subject or an alternate subject (of comparable distance and brightness) and press the shutter button half-way down. Hold it there until you shoot. This makes a huge difference. My F700 focuses pretty fast, although the newer model is even faster.

Answer 3

Unless you spend the money for an SLR digital camera you'll get the delay before taking the picture. But you're looking at $700+ for the body and up into the thousand$. Even with the SLR, there is still a slight delay. I believe is about 1/8 to 1/4 of a second which is still super slow compared to good old film cameras.

Answer 4

There are 3 points of delay - and just one that you can mitigate:
* EVF. The electronic viewfinder gives you a 1/10th second delay before you even press the shutter button. There's not much you can do about that besides developing Spider-sense.
* When you do press the shutter button, the autofocus will take a few tenths to lock on. If you anticipate a good shot, pre-focus on people/ groups and wait for the moment.
* Shutter lag. Even pre-focussed, the camera will lag for about 1/10th before actually taking the shot. Again, there's not much you can do.
The various suggestions to get a digital SLR are valid. dSLR cameras are just as responsive as their film counterparts. A 'cheap' setup would cost about $800. (A Nikon D50 with the kit lens and 2GB of memory.)

Answer 5

Sorry, but all cheap digital camers work the exact same way. If you want an instant point and shoot camera, it's going to cost you.

Answer 6

Unless you are willing to shell out major bucks this is what you will have to deal with in the digital world.

Answer 7

actually digicam. it consistently has greater useful lens than digicam telephone. style of Mpix is way less considerable than lens, have self belief. digicam has additionally greater useful outfitted-in application than digicam telephone.