Help me find the right camera.?

Question

I love to take pictures and want a digital camera that doesn't have the 2-3 second delay from moment of pressing button until image capture. Something that snaps the photo as quickly as a 35mm but digital. Preferably a starter camera for a beginner that does mostly family and a few scenic (birds, deer,etc.) photos. Something not so expensive (if that's possible). I have a small Canon digital but miss shots of grandson because of the delay. I need to know exactly what to ask for when I go to shop because the people in the camera shop roll their eyes at me sometimes because I don't understand all the technical lingo. Can anyone help me out here?

Answer 1

I can understand the frustration that missing those fleeting family moments must cause. I shoot both film and digital, and find much the same problem. It is not limited to digital cameras - the auto focus on film bodies can also cause a delay, but generally not as long as you seem to be experiencing.

Apart from looking for a camera with fast auto-focus, another feature that might help is full-time auto-focus, where the camera continually adjusts the focus to whatever is currently in the focus zone. This won't eliminate the delay, but because the auto-focus is working as you are framing the shot, it reduces that as a cause for delay. Beware, though that this will have an effect on battery life because the focus mechanism is working all the time.

I personally prefer a higher optical zoom than the 3x that is fairly common, and if you are thinking of wildlife as well as family photos, you might think about x7 or more. For wildlife, you need to have something equal to 200mm to 300mm in 35mm film terms at the telephoto end of the optical zoom range.

As far as sensor size, it really depends upon how you want to present your images. If you are only getting postcard prints or smaller enlargements, anything from 4MP up will do. Most offerings seem to be 6MP these days. Unless you intend to make poster sized prints, going much larger does not seem to me to be worthwhile.

Answer 2

Even though I personally own this camera, I would still like to highly recommend the purchase of a Nikon Coolpix L10 for the following reasons:

1. Besides taking well-exposed hi-quality 5 megapixel pictures, it uses a standard set of rechargeable double AA batteries which last a very long time;
2. Has a 3x optical zoom;
3. The flash setting for "red-eye" correction is on the navigator wheel and not within a submenu;
4. It's very small and light;
5. Uses inexpensive SD memory cards;
6. The digital video feature takes wonderful "sound" videos which are noise free. It records the piano very well with it's built-in microphone;
7. It comes with a USB 2.0 transfer cable which you connect to your USB computer port;
8. Has tripod mount on bottom of camera;
9. And the price is a mere $120 [sold at Samy's Camera - www.samys.com, and Staples.com.]

Good luck!

Answer 3

You are probably looking for a camera in the $150, $125 range; but for a 1 second delay I don't know of any that cheap.
My daughters camera is a super zoom which has a 1 sec delay. Fujifilm FinePix S5200. 10 X optical zoom, 5 megapixels. takes excellent 8X10s when enlarged. ISO range is wide 64 to 1600.
My camera 1 sec delay is Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H2. 12X zoom, 6 megapixels, excellent 8X10s. Image stabilizer, comes with battery charger.
Another camera with a 1 sec delay is a sub compact camera Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W50. 3X optical zoom, 6 megapixels.very good on batteries, comes with battery charger.
You might want to check these stores for decent prices:
B&H Photo
Beach Camera
Abe's of Maine
Adorama

Answer 4

even as it comprises being in the back of the digital camera, i'm a digital camera whore. inspite of the indisputable fact that, being in the front of it? Very shy... maximum persons continually question me for contemporary %. and that i so very hardly ever take them. heck. my internet cam has in ordinary words been on in this new computer because i did not comprehend the settings. considering that then? once.... Now considering that I easily have not shot anyones' percentin a lengthy time period.....and that i have were given numerous movie...and some digital cameras....

Answer 5

The only cameras that truly have no shutter delay are digital SLRS.

Check out dpreview.com to compare cameras and see reviews - its a really nice site.

Answer 6

The current issue of Consumer Reports features digital cameras, large and small. I suggest you buy a copy or go to your local library for one. I found the issue very helpful.

Answer 7

my suggestion
go to yahoo shopping
digital cameras
digital camera GUIDE
be sure to check titles on the left side
the guide should answer your questions