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I know that all digital cameras are going to have at least a little bit of a delay from when you hit the shutter button to when it actually takes the picture.
But I was just wondering if there are any cameras in the 3+ megapixel range(that are not gonna cost me a fortune) with a very small delay.

This winter I've been shooting a lot of skiing/snowboarding stuff, and I've gotten the 1 or 2 second delay down to a science. However, I would still like to eliminate it, and maybe get something that's 1/5 of a second with a fast shutter.

If you know of any cameras that might interest me, feel free to throw some links my way.
Thanks

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You have just hit on one of the MANY things that are reserved for the "High End" (Digital SLR's). Basically it includes factors such as Auto focus time, processing of the captured image, transfer to the buffer and then transfer to the CF card. Lower end cameras actually leave the last image shot on the CCD until you take the next shot. There are other factors involved but it starts to get technically complex.

A work around that is suggested by most manufacturers (and a lot of people on forums), is to get your focus and then lock it by pressing half way down on the "shutter release". This can greatly reduce the overall time lag involved. The other problem you are going to have is the wait time between shots, as the camera processes the info and transfers it to the CF.

My Nikon CoolPicx 5700 (originally $1000.00), still took a second or two between shots, plus, the EVF froze on the shot until it was processed.

The answer ?? Spend a lot of money.

Good Luck

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If it moves...Shoot it.
If it Doesn't...Shoot it Twice !!

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There are alot of cameras out there that have fairly short delays. As posted before the DSLR cameras are the way to go to get the best results. But even with a $1500 body, if the glass on its cheap the focusing could be as slow as what you got.

I see you using a Olympus P&S or thats what alot of your work seems to be done with. I will admit this is not the creme of the crop, you will find more speed by just stepping up a little.

The thing to look at is the lag and the focus lag. As of right now, the SONY 828 actually has some of the fastest result out there (even faster than DSLR). Another good company that has good results are the Minolta 7 series and the A1 series. I have used the Fuji 602 and 7000 cameras and though the focus lag is still there, the over all shutter lag was very useable.

The biggest thing is usually the focus lag. Since most people are refering to when they push the button to when it takes the photo. A better focusing system will be more responsive than another. But if your talking about prefocusing time then the responce is usually A LOT faster!

But by stepping up to a proconsumer, you will see a fairly noticable differance and a big differance with DSLR as long as you have good glass on it.

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Since you photograph outdoor sports action you might take a look at the Olympus C-750. Sequence mode will allow several shots while you hold down the shutter release and pan. Essentially a "buffer" before the camera writes to the card. Long and sharp lens. Compact size. 4mp resolution. Electronic viewfinder (almost as good as SLR). Good quality add on converter lenses available. Excellent value.

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Thirsk

You are hitting on just why I sold my Nikon 885 and spent a ton of $$ for a DSLR. The P&S took great pic's and I could blow them up to 8x10 but I just missed too many shots because of the delay. I tried every DSLR out there and I will say that all will focus extreamly fast with their brand decent lens. I felt that Nikon D100 was the fasest focuser but settled on the Canon 10D for overall usability. Now there is almost no difference in any of them so being fasest isn't much. All of my canon lens which are USM are very fast even the 100-300. It is all what you are willing to spend to get what you want. Just don't exspect any P&S to be as fast as a DSLR..

JZaun

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Are you starting to get the idea ??

__________________
If it moves...Shoot it.
If it Doesn't...Shoot it Twice !!

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Yah, I think a new camera may be on my list for next winter. Hopefully the wait will drop the price of DSLRs again.

Thanks for the replies everyone

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Here is a new one that claims, "World's fastest shutter response".

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0403/0...cohcapliorx.asp

Tim

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If I were you I'd keep my eyes open for a Canon 1D. There will be many used cameras hitting the market as the Mark II comes into use and they start trading them off for the nrewer version. The delay on the 1D is only 87ms, same as it's film cousin the 1N.
Of course you will need some glass, and good lens to start with that is cheap and very good is the Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 which can be had for around $600.

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