S3/S4 vs 10D

I bought the Canon S1 when it first came out and was fairly happy with it. What eventually got me to sell it and upgrade to the 10D though was that the S1 wasn't fast enough to take pictures of my kids as they moved around etc. I've been happy with the 10D but there's no getting around the bulk so we're finding that more often then not its getting left at home. We also have a camcorder that isn't being used either yet there's times we'd like to have the option to shoot video. So I'm contemplating selling my 10D and lenses and buying a S4 when it comes our or the Olympus 550UZ (I know I know) if I can't wait. I'm worried though that either of these won't be fast enough and I'll regret downgrading from the dSLR.

I think it's a foregone conclusion that whatever replaces the S3 will have a degree of shutter lag. The only way to overcome it is to do what you did - get a dslr. Compacts and bridge superzooms have shutter lag. It gets less with every generation, but it's still there yet, and will be for a while, I suspect

I have the S2, and it does everything I need for it to do. I have no reason go to an SLR. However, if I already had the DSLR, I don't believe I would make a move to a compact. There's just no way any of these cameras will be as fast as your SLR.

That's what I was afraid off

Are you talking about the time lag for the Auto-Focus to work? I kill that by using Manual Focus...at those times...

Get an S3, they can be found for less than $400. Keep the 10D it's paid for then you have a camera to take everywhere and the dslr for when you are willing to carry it for very special occasions.

I've thought about that option Spur but I have a feeling if we got an S3 I'd seldom tote the 10D around

Andrew Pratt wrote in post #2732211
I've thought about that option Spur but I have a feeling if we got an S3 I'd seldom tote the 10D around

If that happened then you could sell the 10D but there are times it would come in pretty handy.

283CID wrote in post #2731691
Are you talking about the time lag for the Auto-Focus to work? I kill that by using Manual Focus...at those times...

I've done many tests with the S3 and cannot find any measurable shutter lag (<50ms). There is about 50ms lag between an event happening and it showing on the LCD screen. The trick on a fast event is to look at it directly and shoot at EXACTLY the correct moment assuming you have already done MF or have AF lock on. Hope this helps.

MaxZoom wrote in post #2734345
I've done many tests with the S3 and cannot find any measurable shutter lag (<50ms). There is about 50ms lag between an event happening and it showing on the LCD screen. The trick on a fast event is to look at it directly and shoot at EXACTLY the correct moment assuming you have already done MF or have AF lock on. Hope this helps.

I agree. This only works, however, when you have planned it, not for grab shots, which is what i think the OP was referring to. For those you need a dslr.

Once focus is obtained, I find no serious shutter lag in my S2, and in good light, focus is fast too. When I think of serious shutter lag, I think of some of the old film aim an shoots that I've owned, where the focus was obtained after you pressed the shutter, causing an un-acceptable amount of time before the film was actually exposed. I find the S2/S3 to be very fast cameras for their class. However, still not as fast as an SLR. As for manual focus on my S2, I find it quite worthless.

Yes I'm taking about catching the moment when the kids run by or slide down a slide etc. They're quick and you need a camera that can keep up with the situation. The original S1 I had wasn't fast enough even if you did lock focus etc which is why we went to the dSLR.

Andrew, you may want to look at the Rebel XTi or XT. They are smaller and much more responsive than the 10D. No perceptible shutter lag and you could still use your lenses. The 20/30D's are equally responsive, but they are in the same size category as the 10D.
John

fastcat wrote in post #2736788
Andrew, you may want to look at the Rebel XTi or XT. They are smaller and much more responsive than the 10D. No perceptible shutter lag and you could still use your lenses. The 20/30D's are equally responsive, but they are in the same size category as the 10D.
John

Seconded!

Its not so much the body of the 10D that's the issue its that I normally have to carry around the tamron and sigma lenses to get the reach I need and switching to the XTi isn't going to solve that. Still if the shutter lag isn't fast enough with non dSLR's its a moot discussion and we'll have to pick up a small P&S for the time's we need it.