What makes a camera take photos quickly? A brand, a setting, a better photographer.....???
June 28, 2011 9:50 AM Subscribe
What makes a digital camera shoot quickly?
I know nothing about cameras. I have point and shoot digital cameras (a cannon sd1300 and a cannon s5). They are completely fine for my uses. My dad (in his mid-70s) has some kind of Kodak digial, which, in theory, should also be just fine for his needs. The problem is that there is a lot of lag time between when he pushes the button and when the photo takes.
I was once told this had to do with how quickly the camera could access the memory card; we have updated his memory card. Still REALLY slow. I know it won't be instantaneous, and I have no interest in getting him a DSLR. I would like to get him something quicker. I know there are lots of camera review sites out there, but I'm not sure what the term is I'm looking for.
So, if you could either a) tell me what I should be paying attention to to find cameras that take more quickly or 2) recommend specific cameras (or camera settings, if we're doing something wrong), I'd appreciate it! (other camera requirements - none, really, but larger buttons and a viewfinder that isn't restricted to the screen would help). Thank you!
I know nothing about cameras. I have point and shoot digital cameras (a cannon sd1300 and a cannon s5). They are completely fine for my uses. My dad (in his mid-70s) has some kind of Kodak digial, which, in theory, should also be just fine for his needs. The problem is that there is a lot of lag time between when he pushes the button and when the photo takes.
I was once told this had to do with how quickly the camera could access the memory card; we have updated his memory card. Still REALLY slow. I know it won't be instantaneous, and I have no interest in getting him a DSLR. I would like to get him something quicker. I know there are lots of camera review sites out there, but I'm not sure what the term is I'm looking for.
So, if you could either a) tell me what I should be paying attention to to find cameras that take more quickly or 2) recommend specific cameras (or camera settings, if we're doing something wrong), I'd appreciate it! (other camera requirements - none, really, but larger buttons and a viewfinder that isn't restricted to the screen would help). Thank you!
This is going to come down to the processor inside the camera and how well the software it runs has been optimized. As a rule, I'd expect newer cameras to be better about this than older ones, for the same reason that computers and smartphones keep getting faster.
Your go-to source for information like this is DP Review, which analyzes speed according to a bunch of different metrics (shot to shot, cold start to shot, etc) in their camera reviews. Unfortunately they don't seem to make this kind of information accessible from their database search, but you could look at some reviews of the cameras they rate highly and see which ones are rated well for speed.
posted by adamrice at 9:59 AM on June 28, 2011
Your go-to source for information like this is DP Review, which analyzes speed according to a bunch of different metrics (shot to shot, cold start to shot, etc) in their camera reviews. Unfortunately they don't seem to make this kind of information accessible from their database search, but you could look at some reviews of the cameras they rate highly and see which ones are rated well for speed.
posted by adamrice at 9:59 AM on June 28, 2011
The property you're looking for, incidentally, is called "shutter lag." Can't really help on recommendations, as I live in an SLR world myself, but that's the thing you want to look for in a review - "really awful shutter lag" vs "almost none."
posted by Tomorrowful at 10:00 AM on June 28, 2011
posted by Tomorrowful at 10:00 AM on June 28, 2011
I was once told this had to do with how quickly the camera could access the memory card; we have updated his memory card. Still REALLY slow.
That is true; the camera's internal data bus circuitry (which, for example, copies between the CCD sensor and the memory card) remains slow despite the replacement of the memory card itself. There also tends to be some small amount of processing required if you save to common formats such as JPG rather than saving true camera raw data - and nearly all cameras do this.
The short answer is that newer is better for these things; there are constant improvements in data bus speed and camera processing power. The older ones may be "fine" in terms of megapixels, zoom, etc., but the delay will be much reduced with a newer camera. If you're cost sensitive maybe try getting last year's model or give up some features and get a stripped-down newer model.
posted by rkent at 10:00 AM on June 28, 2011
That is true; the camera's internal data bus circuitry (which, for example, copies between the CCD sensor and the memory card) remains slow despite the replacement of the memory card itself. There also tends to be some small amount of processing required if you save to common formats such as JPG rather than saving true camera raw data - and nearly all cameras do this.
The short answer is that newer is better for these things; there are constant improvements in data bus speed and camera processing power. The older ones may be "fine" in terms of megapixels, zoom, etc., but the delay will be much reduced with a newer camera. If you're cost sensitive maybe try getting last year's model or give up some features and get a stripped-down newer model.
posted by rkent at 10:00 AM on June 28, 2011
A point and shoot is pretty much always going to have a shutter lag. One way that helped back when some models had a viewfinder was to refrain from using the back screen to compose your shot. What's happening is, the camera is using some of the pixels in its sensor to create the view on screen. Once you press the shutter button, the camera has to clear off the charge on the sensor, apply a new charge to *all* the pixels (not just the ones used for the preview) and then fire. this takes time.
posted by notsnot at 10:11 AM on June 28, 2011
posted by notsnot at 10:11 AM on June 28, 2011
Response by poster: His camera is probably four years old, and it has always been slow. I can't remember what kind it is specifically, other than a Kodak. I assume anything new will be at least somewhat better, but I've been hesitating to upgrade him because new cameras are all so small, and lack viewfinders, both of which are difficult for people of a certain age :) But watching him deal with the lag is getting to be too much - its very frustrating for him.
Mine are not as slow as his, but are not what I would call super fast. I seem to be better able to account for it, though - either though timing, by changing settings on the cameras, or by using the "push the button down half way to focus" method. All that stuff is just kind of lost on him. I may consider giving him the S5 and see if he likes that - it's similar to his old 35mm in size and shape so that might help.
Thanks for the search term, Tomorrowful, and for the link adamrice - the combination is providing some helpful reviews!
posted by dpx.mfx at 10:16 AM on June 28, 2011
Mine are not as slow as his, but are not what I would call super fast. I seem to be better able to account for it, though - either though timing, by changing settings on the cameras, or by using the "push the button down half way to focus" method. All that stuff is just kind of lost on him. I may consider giving him the S5 and see if he likes that - it's similar to his old 35mm in size and shape so that might help.
Thanks for the search term, Tomorrowful, and for the link adamrice - the combination is providing some helpful reviews!
posted by dpx.mfx at 10:16 AM on June 28, 2011
If you don't want any shutter lag you need to move up to an SLR. The reason point and shoots have lag is a limitation of their size and how they are engineered. It's basically impossible to make a point and shoot that has zero lag. The factors people have mentioned play a role, but really it comes down the lack of a reflex (the "R" in SLR).
posted by bradbane at 10:31 AM on June 28, 2011
posted by bradbane at 10:31 AM on June 28, 2011
This blog post is almost a year old, but might be relevant.
posted by Nothlit at 11:12 AM on June 28, 2011
posted by Nothlit at 11:12 AM on June 28, 2011
the "push the button down half way" technique explains the reason it is slow: auto-focus and auto-exposure calculations. These two things are what are being done when you half-press the shutter.
Wether it is a limitation on size of motors, simplification of image processing circuits, an emphasis on battery life vs. shutter performance or purposely crippling cheap cameras to give you a reason to buy bigger expensive cameras, I can't say, but those are the issues at play.
I bet you'll find that learning a little technique plus more professionally targeted P&S like the Canon Powershot G Series will minimize shutter lag. But with that said, the cameras are going to be more expensive plus they will have lots and lots of potentially confusing features.
posted by mmascolino at 11:22 AM on June 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
Wether it is a limitation on size of motors, simplification of image processing circuits, an emphasis on battery life vs. shutter performance or purposely crippling cheap cameras to give you a reason to buy bigger expensive cameras, I can't say, but those are the issues at play.
I bet you'll find that learning a little technique plus more professionally targeted P&S like the Canon Powershot G Series will minimize shutter lag. But with that said, the cameras are going to be more expensive plus they will have lots and lots of potentially confusing features.
posted by mmascolino at 11:22 AM on June 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
Auto-focus is the primary reason for the long, unpredictable delay before consumer-grade cameras take a shot. Auto-exposure also adds time; typically it is a lesser contributor.
To take a quicker shot, there are three options:
1. Pre-focus by half-depressing the shutter button.
2. Set the camera to all-manual, so you have to pick the shutter speed, aperture, and focus. Obviously, this cuts out the auto-focus & auto-exposure lagsp; also obviously most cheap cameras don't offer this option.
3. Pick your next camera based on "short shutter lag" times, in online reviews.
posted by IAmBroom at 8:01 PM on June 28, 2011
To take a quicker shot, there are three options:
1. Pre-focus by half-depressing the shutter button.
2. Set the camera to all-manual, so you have to pick the shutter speed, aperture, and focus. Obviously, this cuts out the auto-focus & auto-exposure lagsp; also obviously most cheap cameras don't offer this option.
3. Pick your next camera based on "short shutter lag" times, in online reviews.
posted by IAmBroom at 8:01 PM on June 28, 2011
Some of the perception of slowness comes from the camera recharging the flash before being ready to take the next picture.
posted by wenestvedt at 12:01 PM on June 30, 2011
posted by wenestvedt at 12:01 PM on June 30, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by katillathehun at 9:57 AM on June 28, 2011