Why isn't the slowness of digital cameras to take pictures given more coverage in the press?

Question

We bought a digital camera a couple of years ago, and all the magazines reviewed the features, the megapixels, the picture quality, but none said that often a digital camera took so long between button press and shutter release that the subject had moved, or even gone, by the time the picture was eventually taken. I've tried several things, but even my fully automatic film camera was instant compared to a digital. Why doesn't anyone mention this?

Answer 1

Most aspects of this question are covered, but still wanted to mention and reiterate a few things.

1) Shutter lag is more of a problem with cameras a few years old, or inexpensive cameras.

2) Current digital cameras, esp. those $300 and up, tend to have less shutter lag.

I have a Ricoh RDC-7 purchased in 2001 that has a significant lag time. I learned to work with it, and got quite adept at anticipating action and capturing things like people in mid air or children on a playground. I recently purchased a Canon Powershot S3 IS, and there is little to no distinguishable lag time on it.

If you cannot afford a newer or more expensive camera at this time, you can count the usual shutter lag time, then learn to anticipate action. Also, since it is digital, when taking photo's of animals or children, take LOTS of pics, and/or use continuous shooting mode if your camera has it.

When you are ready for a new camera, read reviews and check out this website to compare shutter times and other items. http://www.imaging-resource.com/DIGCAM01.HTM

As far as whether this is addressed, it depends on where you read the reviews ... most reviews I have read in preparation for my last purchase had this listed with the other specs.

Answer 2

Horses for courses. You have to look in the right place. All the regular camera review sites post that information. Try www.dpreview.com, www.stevesdigicams, or cnet.

You can shorten this time by pre-focusing. Prime the camera by a half press of the shutter button, then wait for the right moment to snap. This half-press technique is what most digicam users learn to do, and will yield more keepers.

The good news is that consumer digicams have improved on shutter lag immensely in the past couple of years. So your next camera will be a better performer. And professional shooters use a dSLR, which does not suffer from shutter lag.

Answer 3

The shutter lag you mention was a surprise to me as well. It makes you wonder how pro sports photographers get by.
It is caused by two things - the camera processing the order to fire, and (if you are shooting continuously) the camera writing to the card.

I don't know if there is much you can do about it, apart from testing the camera in the shop. Make sure your batteries are well charged and ensure you don't use the camera outside the recommended temperature, as this could affect the resistance and make it slower.

Answer 4

I think it is covered, but maybe that's because I look for reviews that mention the shutter lag (or lack of it). Some are better than others - I recently bought a cheap Kodak rather than a more expensive Nikon primarily because the Kodak has almost no lag, while you need to make an appointment to use the Nikon.

Answer 5

Consumer-grade digital cameras tend to be much less responsive (if measured by the delay between button press and shutter action) than "prosumer" (professional/consumer) grade ones. My wife and I were also very frustrated by the lack of responsiveness on our inexpensive Olympus D-550 digital camera. But after I bought her a Canon EOS 20D, we were *amazed* at how responsive it was in comparison. It's also ready to shoot after power-on *much* more quickly than the Olympus. If you truly need rapid responsiveness, I recommend spending more money ($800-1000+) on a high quality digital camera. Besides having a faster camera, you'll be able to mount different lenses depending on your shooting needs.

Answer 6

most reporters use high end D-SLR camera's so they dont really suffer from shutter lagg, but programmes like the gadget show have done things on new cameras and shutter lag, more infomation really on the net, look for how fast a camera can take a single picture then a set of pictures, say 5 or 10...

Answer 7

I find that with my older 4mg compact. But just got a canon eos digital slr, and the shutter speed is brilliant. pictures are really good. And I think the shutter speeds are faster, the more money you pay. Try getting a newer better model, and just see the difference. Ask in a shop to try before you buy.

Answer 8

Thats always bothered me too. I thought it was maybe just my make of camera....even though it's an olympus and cost 199.
I try to take pictures of my 2 year old and it's a nightmare....i ask her to smile, and she does but by the time the bloody thing has clicked she's off and all i get is a blurry picture.
Your right.... it should be mentioned in the description.

Answer 9

Yeah, nothing beats an old SLR, both for ease of use and picture quality. Mine (a fujipix) even switches itself off if I don't take a picture for a minute or so, so I often waste about a minute switching it back on again, by which time the photo-op has completely disappeared. Probably the more you spend on your camera, the less of these problems there are...

Answer 10

Check to see if it has a "Burst" setting. Also, the time between the shutter, and when it is ready again might depend on the "speed" of the memory card you have. There is now "Extreme 2" memory cards which are faster. I have not tried them, but this could be a factor.