Seeking: A truly-pocketable camera with a shutter-lag AS FAST AS a mid-range DSLR?
[Asker's note: I'm re-phrasing a previously-asked question, which I did not phrase as precisely as I could have. Here I'm trying to focus the question a bit more sharply, and looking for a more specific and definitive answer.]
Related Question: How many truly-pocketable cameras are there, that have a shutter-lag AS GOOD AS that of, say for example, the Canon T2i or the Nikon D90?
Discussion Points:
1) I realize their are two (maybe more) ways to answer this question:
--- a) "Shirt-pocket" (about like a cigarette pack)
--- b) "Jacket-pocket" (more like a small paperback novel)
I'm specifically looking for answers in the a) *shirt-pocket* category. But please feel free to also cover the jacket-pocket category.]
2) I'm talking about pressing the shutter button *without* pre-focusing. I do realize that "pre-focusing" reduces the shutter lag, but DSLR-makers do not seem to expect DSLR-buyers to have to pre-focus in order to get a fast shutter response. (Why do they apparently suggest that someone who happens to want a pocket-sized camera should "pre-focus"?)]
Returning to the "Related Question" above… If the answer is zero cameras, why is this?
Is such a camera technically impossible for camera makers? Or just too expensive (for the level of demand it would satisfy)?
Sadly, no such thing exists. You may be able to custom order a camera but it would have to go through many development stages.
It lies in how the camera works, unless the camera allows for manual focus, which they do not allow, you will have to let it focus each shot.
I can't tell by your question whether or not you truly understand "shutter lag" as it's called.
That's the time your camera, regardless of make or model, needs to gather focus and exposure data so you can have a picture… Get the drift? All automatic cameras require this time. Yes, SLR cameras are quicker than the "pocket toys". But among the compacts, some boast shorter shutter lag but the actual difference can be measured in mili seconds.
I agree what you write of doesn't exist. If you want focus and proper exposure you're going to have to live with shutter lag… No way around it.
None. This is why my own compact camera is a bulky 35mm rangefinder… A cheap old Canonet QL17 Glll ( http://www.netaxs.com/~cassidy/images/equipment/ql17/ql17.html ).
It seems that even the slickest point & shoot models - the ones that actually advertise with settings for full manual control - don't let those manual settings override the molasses factor. Case in point, a field test with the Canon S95: http://forums.dpreview.com/...d=36368479
I'm sure that the jacket-pocket sized Sony NEX and Olympus PEN stuff is better (provided you don't use the notoriously sluggish auto-focus), but I refuse to pay good money for a half baked first try. E. G. The 0.1 second delay and general annoyance of having to compose the shot with the LCD. I'll let this market mature a little bit more. The recently announced Fuji rangefinder looks promising ( http://www.dpreview.com/...lmx100.asp )… Hopefully that will inspire other manufacturers to get moving.
Why the sorry state of affairs so far? I don't know. There are plenty of photographers who would pay good money to have a second camera along the lines you describe - myself included.
P.S. To Jim: Probably most people consider the AF/ AE delay part of the shutter lag but if you want to get pedantic about it, those people are wrong: http://en.wikipedia.org/...hutter_lag
P.S. To DIY: Just as an experiment, try picking the occasional best answer or providing some other kind of feedback. Not here, not me, obviously, but for the next person who takes 10 minutes to jot down something insightful for you. (E.g.did you really have to let this one go to a vote: ?)
Such a camera doesn't exist at this time.
Pocket sized cameras are point & shoot cameras which use contrast mode to focus.
DSLR cameras use a phase technique to focus which is much faster. The phase technique is only found on larger cameras due to the odd light paths required for the focusing detection mechanism. With the phase technique, the direction to focus the lens is known which cuts down on the time to focus.
For those fleeting shots, you still need to prefocus a DSLR or shoot totally manual. I usually prefocus, then compose when using a DSLR.
Some Panasonic cameras seems to have pretty minimal shutter lag. I would go for Panasonic as my first choice if this is important.