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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Unwanted Shutter Delay
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 05/07/2004 01:14:11 PM · #1
I find that with my Canon G3 there is a slight delay that occurs between when I press the shutter button to capture a moment and when the shutter actually snaps into action.

The G3 is a great camera, but I know its not a DSLR, so I'm wondering if this shutter delay is something only typical of consumer/prosumer level digital cameras which does affect DSLRs, or if this is something we all have to live with as digital photographers?

Thanks!
 05/07/2004 01:20:36 PM · #2
It's typical of Digicams. Some are worse than others but you will have the delay. Digital SLR's don't have that problem.
 05/07/2004 01:21:11 PM · #3
To make a long story short, "generally yes" :D

:)atwl
 05/07/2004 01:22:43 PM · #4
Heh... mine has a 2 second delay. I'm thinking it's just with low-end cams. I would be quite upset to pay $1000+ and still have a delay.
 05/07/2004 01:26:11 PM · #5
unless you buy a top end dslr there will be some lag - as compared to a film slr - the rebel i have has minimal delay - unnoticable really untill i fire off a few frames with my film camera.

EDIT - the other thing to note - is the buffer size - which isnt shutter lag - but when the buffer is full ( shooting in continous shot mode ) you have to wait to shoot again.

Message edited by author 2004-05-07 13:27:20.
 05/07/2004 01:36:39 PM · #6
DSLRs have essentially no lag. You can minimize the delay on the G3 (and most other cameras) by holding the shutter button down halfway to lock the focus and exposure, then wait for the right moment to snap the photo. On some cameras (including the G3), you'll have the added benefit of knowing that you've achieved focus lock before the critical moment.

For moving objects, try to predict where you'll want to capture the subject. Find something roughy the same distance and value to focus on, press the shutter halfway and wait for the subject to reach that pre-determined spot to complete the shot. Works like a charm.
 05/07/2004 02:06:59 PM · #7
scalvert is right... The delay is probably from the autofocus. You could also turn the manual focus on and set the distance towhere you think the action should be. My Olympus is the same way.
 05/07/2004 02:24:46 PM · #8
Thanks all!

To clarify, I am talking about the delay that occurs after already having achieved focus by depressing the shutter button halfway. Even with this done, once I make the definitive click, I get a slight delay.

I've never really used any other camera, film or digital, so I don't know what to expect. I do know, though, that if I am taking a photo of someone who is speaking and gesturing and have already achieved focus, and I see a gesture I want and snap imediately, when I see what the camera shot I see that it is a moment after when I pressed the button - a moment I judge to be almost a second late. I understand that there is an element of human error in the delay time between wanting to snap and snapping, but I can clearly see with the experience I have with my camera tht there is definately an undesirable delay time happening.

So with that clear, I guess I should ask again if that is normal and if I can expect that to be less of a problem with a DSLR.

Thanks again!
 05/07/2004 03:04:29 PM · #9
Originally posted by darcy:
So with that clear, I guess I should ask again if that is normal and if I can expect that to be less of a problem with a DSLR.


Yes it is normal, yes DSLR's have less of a problem (or none), and the newer digicams also get faster all the time, especially high end ones.

tests on www.dpreview.com show the delay time

edit : here is the timing for your cam

Message edited by author 2004-05-07 15:06:59.
 05/07/2004 03:08:09 PM · #10
Originally posted by darcy:
Thanks all!

To clarify, I am talking about the delay that occurs after already having achieved focus by depressing the shutter button halfway. Even with this done, once I make the definitive click, I get a slight delay.

I've never really used any other camera, film or digital, so I don't know what to expect. I do know, though, that if I am taking a photo of someone who is speaking and gesturing and have already achieved focus, and I see a gesture I want and snap imediately, when I see what the camera shot I see that it is a moment after when I pressed the button - a moment I judge to be almost a second late. I understand that there is an element of human error in the delay time between wanting to snap and snapping, but I can clearly see with the experience I have with my camera tht there is definately an undesirable delay time happening.

So with that clear, I guess I should ask again if that is normal and if I can expect that to be less of a problem with a DSLR.

Thanks again!


There is some delay with all cameras film or digital between the pressing of the shutter button and the actual exposure. It's just longer and more noticable with consumer digicams. All of the DSLR's I have experience with (10D mostly, but also D100) have very little shutter lag, certainly comparable to my Nikon F3's that I used to shoot commercially. The Nikon D2H has the shortest shutter lag of any SLR camera with a lag of just 37 milliseconds.


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