Fastest when it comes to shutter lag. (compact digital camera's)

[tavin_banderwilly]

What is the fastest when it comes to shutter lag out of the newer 4+ megapixel compact

camera's that have manuel controls?

[Troll]

The problem isn't shutter lag -- it's autofocus lag.

[dean_g]

As far as I know, the current champ is still the Ricoh Caplio GX (Ricoh R1 is faster but lacks manual controls). The GX shutter lag is .10 to .12 secs and that includes autofocus, not prefocus which is near instantaneous.

 

It should be noted though that as the light dims the autofocus time of the GX slows somewhat. I agree that it is autofocus lag that is the main culprit, so what you need is a digicam that offers a way of fixing a manual focus, and the GX offers a fixed 2.5 meter focus, as well as infinity locked focus. With the huge DOF of the smaller sensor (1/1.8) the 2.5m (called "Snap" mode) is very effective and by selecting a small aperture like f/4 or f/8 the DOF is even greater. Other digicams, no doubt, offer similar capabilities.

 

For a really compact and pocketable digicam the ergonomics of the gx are excellent and offer easy access to manual settings, plus the camera retains all settings when powered down.

[marbing]

For the newest crop of 7Mp point and shoots, the Sony V3 appears to be the performance leader. With full autofocus shutter lag of around .3 sec (REGARDLESS of light levels...that is even in total darkness) to a prefocus time of .011 (@1/100th of a second) it doesn't leave you waiting.