JenniferZ Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 I have two great film SLRs and one fabulous digital SLR, but the disadvantage is the size. So, I end up deciding NOT to take the camera(s) on outings, thus missing precious photos. Have purchased several small P&S digitals, the most recent one is an Optio W30. They are all WAY TOO SLOW to catch my kids! I end up getting a million shots of turned heads and closed eyes. Any recommendations on an easy-carry, good performing camera that actually takes a picture when you hit the shutter release? I'd like at least 7 MP and at this point, I'll consider almost any price range. Thanks! Jennifer (Frustrated Photographer) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrappurple Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 I haven't heard of any P&S, just dslr's that are that quick ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
April Showers Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 I don't have issues with lag time with my little Canon SD600. (I've had the 400 and 300 and they are still working fine.) Well, maybe a little when the battery is dying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PattyBee Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 You might look up Consumer Reports latest reviews on non SLR digital cameras to help you find what you're looking for. Your library should have back issues plus the reference book to help you zero in on what you're looking for. It's my first place for researching whenever I'm thinking of buying a new appliance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDecker Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 Did you know your memory card has a lot to do with the speed of your camera? When I switched to Sandisk Ultra III cards my camera got much faster! It's all in how information gets written to the card. We have 3 Olympus point and shoot cameras. I keep them on Sport or Burst mode to help make the speed faster too. Check your manuals to see what is the fastest mode on your camera but don't give up print quality for speed either. Have I just confused things more? LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnie2004 Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 I have a fugi s100fd cant say nothing bad about it for 270.00 delivered from ebay 10 meg camera p& s too caren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glorie Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 I initially thought my camera wasn't working correctly because I too was not getting the picture I shot for. That is so frustrating. After bringing my camera in to a couple of places (about a year ago) they all told me that is just the way digital cameras are. One did say that this was an issue that was being addressed but I'm sorry to say that I have not heard anything more than that. Checking with Consumer Reports and talking with professional camera places may be able to give you more info too. Good Luck and let us know what you find out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LissaD Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 Canon, Canon, Canon! I love mine and it has a burst mode to capture all those quick moving kiddos. It is very durable too. I have had this one for about 2 years. Longer than any other. I has been tossed out of the car onto pavement, bounced down staircases and all sorts of crazy happenings. I have been very impressed. It is also good in low light at getting a good focus- this is another pet peeve of mine with cameras that don't focus well in low light. I have a PowerShot SD500 Digital Elph that I got at Costco I believe for a very good price. Good Luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoannB Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 I hate it when I'm trying to take a photo and I miss my picture! It's so annoying, isn't it? One thing I've found out that can address this issue with most cameras, btw, is the "half-hold" -- where you depress your button, slightly, so it doesn't actually take the photo -- but it adjusts the camera for the light. On my cannon, the little 'center square' turns from red to green when it's ready, and it makes a small beeping sound. Then, when I'm ready for THAT perfect shot, the camera is ready - and it takes instantly. hope this helps someone! Lag time is highly frustrating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBT Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 I have a Canon too- and love it! Definitely check the settings on the camera and also have the battery charged! I find my lags a little more as my battery drains! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManiakMama Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 I have a Sony DSC H2 and LOVE it! I know there is a newer model out now that's even faster as my MIL has it, but mine is still pretty fast! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenniferZ Posted June 20, 2008 Author Share Posted June 20, 2008 Thanks, everyone, for your advice. Canon seems to be the way to go for a point and shoot model (I am a hardcore Nikon fan on the SLR side!). I found a website that reviews all models of cameras and actually lists the shutter release lag times, both from straight auto focus and from pre-focus (the "half-shutter-release-hold." The main contender seems to be the Canon PowerShot SD870IS, which got great overall reviews for picture quality and timed out at .3-.4 seconds shutter release lag on full automatic. The time was .087 with pre-focus, almost instantaneous. I spent all night reviewing scads of P&S cameras and this was the fastest time I found. I am also considering a Samsung NV20 or NV40. Unfortunately, the products were not yet tested, so I have no shutter release speeds to report, but I will compare models at the store. My sister and her BF have an NV10 and it seems to take photos fast and they love it -- we'll see! Thanks again and I'll keep you posted... Jennifer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
**JoNsWiFe** Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 I hate so say it but most digital p&s cameras are slow in reaction time and like someone JoannB said - pushing the shutter button down will help a lot with this speed. Even if you are not wanting to increase the speed of your camera you still need to do this "half-press" function because it increases the level of focus. Hope this helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gritstoner Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 P&S are a lot slower than SLRs but your card does make a difference. I tried my brand new compact with my Father in Law's brand new '3rd gen' card and the difference was very noticeable. Price wasn't too different to the card I had bought either. Off to source one for myself now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelsea Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 My biggest complaint with my camera is the time it takes to "be ready" to take another picture immediately after, but I do think it SNAPS the picture really super quick! I think mine is a Sony Cybershot??? LOL Sad I don't even know, but my husbands camera is a little faster than mine on both of those things... and I can't think what his is, I wanna say the "Exilim" camera or whatever... thats his. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenniferZ Posted June 20, 2008 Author Share Posted June 20, 2008 UPDATE!!!! I bought a Canon SD870 IS this afternoon and so far, so good! Got a pic of my daughter jumping on the couch -- the shot is clear and her hair is flying. Got another pic of my son rolling on the floor and some family shots of my husband with the kids. It is not as fast as my trusty Nikon DSLR, but it will definitely meet most of my needs and I will be very likely to carry it with me most of the time. It comes with a ridiculously small 32MB memory card, but I bought a 4G one and it will hold over 1,000 photos set at the hightest resolution. Hip, hip hooray -- and thanks again for being my sounding board... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovinthedigithing Posted August 28, 2008 Share Posted August 28, 2008 Great Jennifer! I have a Nikon Coolpix P50 and I can get action shots, better if I'm prepared with the half-press of course. But there have been times when it and I get confused and it won't snap at all, arg. I'll have to exercise my clicking finger I guess. My next camera will be a Canon digital of some sort. This Nikon takes nice pics and was under $200 so that was my current priority. The menu is not as easy as my old Kodak Easyshare but it's a better camera overall I believe. I have a 512mb Sandisk. Does everyone think that's good enough? It can hold 500 pics (and I NEED that ability!) but would another SD improve anything? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Dannie Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 I hated that lag time also. I just bought a Canon G9, which acts like a DSLR. If you want to Stop Action, use the Sport setting on the dial. This is the automatic high speed combo that allows you to freeze the action. Most P&S cameras have this setting. Also, another member stated that the card is the secret. If you use your camera as a digi-cam or want to shoot photos really fast, get a really high-speed card for your camera. The higher, the better. I know, I know, some will bring up the fact that the software in the camera will write only so fast, or have only so much buffer space, but I still say, the faster, the better. Also the Canon G9 is the top-dog in the Canon line of P&S Prosumer cameras, but almost all high-end camera makers make a transitional camera to bridge the gap between the P&S cameras and DSLR's. At any rate, good luck with you purchase, and tell what you bought, and why. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaine Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 My question is, why aren't you USING your Nikon DSLR? You have this incredibly good camera and for pictures of your kids you are trying to use a point and shoot? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenniferZ Posted September 3, 2008 Author Share Posted September 3, 2008 Uncle Dannie: See up a few posts for the P&S I settled on. So far, I am very happy with it. (Now, if it would just shoot RAW! ) Jaine: I do use my DSLR a LOT, around the house or when we are out and about with my husband (to help me lug my stuff). But I take the kids (ages 1 and 4, plus water, snacks and diaper bag) lots of places during the day while he's at work and the last thing I need is to lug around my DSLR, risk losing or damaging it, or having it stolen while I am wrangling the kids. However, if I don't have any camera, I won't get any shots of the kids, so I wanted a small, easy to carry, decent model that I actually would carry around and use and wouldn't be totally devastated if it were lost, broken or stolen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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