I'm currently having to look at each camera individually, and scroll all the way to the bottom of the review to see how it rates for these features, next to a handful of similar cameras...but I want to see how ALL cameras compare at the same time!
Reply 1 : Want to view & sort all cameras by performance features
No one has done the amount of testing necessary to compile such a list. Most sites concentrate on upper end cameras only; the point and shoot market probably has less than 25% test coverage. It would be more productive to narrow down by the style of camera you want, then by basic features such as zoom range, lens aperture, and video capability, and then look at performance speed...not forgetting image quality.
FWIW, most compact cameras shot-to-shot time is about two seconds, with the exception of those that offer a burst mode. Some burst mode cameras do not capture at full resolution though. Shutter lag in full auto-focus mode, i.e. just pushing the button, is under half a second on better point-and-shoot cameras. Most hover around a half second, a few take almost a full second.
FWIW, most compact cameras shot-to-shot time is about two seconds, with the exception of those that offer a burst mode. Some burst mode cameras do not capture at full resolution though. Shutter lag in full auto-focus mode, i.e. just pushing the button, is under half a second on better point-and-shoot cameras. Most hover around a half second, a few take almost a full second.
Reply 2 : Want to view & sort all cameras by performance features
..okay, maybe "all" is a bit of a stretch, but cnet obviously collects this data and compares each camera that it reviews at the bottom of each review. I'd just like to see a compiled list of all of the cameras that they have reviewed, with respect to shutter lag and time between shots, etc...
Reply 3 : Want to view & sort all cameras by performance features
Of course all these sites have the data, but to my knowledge, no one has ever compiled their data in the manner that you want.
What kind of camera do you want, with what basic features?
What kind of camera do you want, with what basic features?
Reply 4 : Want to view & sort all cameras by performance features
...actually, this is a camera for my Mother in law. I have a Nikon D3000, and she saw how fast it shoots, and wants something that is nearly as fast, to take pictures of our kids (the grandkids) who are much faster than her old digital point and shoot. She always gets streaky pictures of her grandkids, and is tired of it and wants something better...but she has NO need or desire for a bulky, difficult to use and expensive dSLR. So I'm trying to find the fastest point and shoot that I can find, that still has really good picture quality, especially in indoor, low-light situations.
So far, it looks like the best bet is the Nikon Coolpix S8100...but it would be MUCH easier to narrow down my search if I could see a database of all point and shoot cameras and sort by shot-to-shot time and shutter-lag time....
So far, it looks like the best bet is the Nikon Coolpix S8100...but it would be MUCH easier to narrow down my search if I could see a database of all point and shoot cameras and sort by shot-to-shot time and shutter-lag time....
Reply 5 : Want to view & sort all cameras by performance features
Less shutter lag is not the total answer to the problem. All that less shutter lag gets you is better framing...the child will be in the picture as opposed to out of the picture.
What is also needed is a faster shutter speed to freeze motion. Most point and shoot cannot handle the task of capturing a moving subject in lower light because to get more shutter speed, a brighter lens and a lower noise sensor is needed.
The S8100 is quite fast in terms of shutter lag, and it does offer a very fast burst mode. It may not be able to provide a faster shutter speed in low light, because it does not have a wide aperture lens or a low noise sensor (relative to the D3000). So photos could still be streaky.
What is also needed is a faster shutter speed to freeze motion. Most point and shoot cannot handle the task of capturing a moving subject in lower light because to get more shutter speed, a brighter lens and a lower noise sensor is needed.
The S8100 is quite fast in terms of shutter lag, and it does offer a very fast burst mode. It may not be able to provide a faster shutter speed in low light, because it does not have a wide aperture lens or a low noise sensor (relative to the D3000). So photos could still be streaky.
Reply 6 : Want to view & sort all cameras by performance features
Very true. There is only so much you can do with the slower lens and smaller sensor. The biggest issue for her I think is the frustration of not getting the shot she wanted because of the shutter lag, and/or or time between shots. It appears that the flash recharge time on the S8100 only bumps the shot-to-shot time up from the data write time of 1.5 seconds to around 1.8 seconds, which is probably MUCH faster than her current ultra-compact camera. Also, I'm guessing that the sensor in the S8100 is probably a bit larger as well.
Short of upgrading to camera with faster optics or a larger sensor, it appears that the S8100 is her best bet in that price range...?
Short of upgrading to camera with faster optics or a larger sensor, it appears that the S8100 is her best bet in that price range...?
Reply 7 : Want to view & sort all cameras by performance features
I'd be VERY surprised if the S8100 can be ready to shoot again with flash in under two seconds. Most compacts probably take closer to five seconds.
The S8100 has a 1/2.3" sensor; average for the class.
The only issue I have with the S8100 is that it offers no manual control at all; you're completely dependent on auto and scene modes. But I suppose MIL will only be using auto anyway. So as far as under $250 goes, it probably is about as good as you could expect.
The S8100 has a 1/2.3" sensor; average for the class.
The only issue I have with the S8100 is that it offers no manual control at all; you're completely dependent on auto and scene modes. But I suppose MIL will only be using auto anyway. So as far as under $250 goes, it probably is about as good as you could expect.
Reply 8 : Want to view & sort all cameras by performance features
I'm just going by what the Cnet review said. I think the camera has a manual flash exposure control, so I'm assuming the flash cycle time would depend on how much of the flash energy is used, as opposed to some less expensive cameras that just dump a full flash into every shot...so a fill flash might have a 1 second cycle time, where as a full power flash would probably take more like 5 seconds.
As for the MIL, she has no interest in manual controls whatsoever, so that's not an issue here. I love my Nikon D3000 and at least TRY to use it to it's full potential, but it would be wasted on her, and she would hate having to lug it around.
I have to admit, there are many times that I'd like to just have a fast, small and lightweight camera with me instead of the big 'ol dSLR...so I may get one as well. I'm looking forward to playing with it after she gets it. I'm like her personal IT department and get to pick out and play with all the cool toys that she wants, but knows nothing about. It works out for both of us.
As for the MIL, she has no interest in manual controls whatsoever, so that's not an issue here. I love my Nikon D3000 and at least TRY to use it to it's full potential, but it would be wasted on her, and she would hate having to lug it around.
I have to admit, there are many times that I'd like to just have a fast, small and lightweight camera with me instead of the big 'ol dSLR...so I may get one as well. I'm looking forward to playing with it after she gets it. I'm like her personal IT department and get to pick out and play with all the cool toys that she wants, but knows nothing about. It works out for both of us.
No comments:
Post a Comment