[Jason Dunn]

http://www.casio.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=products.section&catalog=Cameras&section=EXILIM%20Series

As much as I love my Canon EOS 300D, it's a big camera, and in many scenarios it's just not a workable solution. I have my Canon S400, but in comparison to the size of many cameras on the market, it's pretty large. I also dislike the shutter lag on the S400 - there's nothing more frustrating than missing a great moment because the camera is trying to focus. I've learned to press down halfway to "set the scene" and get the focus ready, but when other people use S400 they just press the button and get frustrated when it doesn't take the picture right away. I think it's perfectly justified - why shouldn't the camera take the picture right away? That has to be the #1 complaint I here from people after they use a digital camera - "Why does it take so long to get the picture?"

So I'm looking for a new camera. I have two primary needs: small size and no shutter lag. I also want an optical zoom, so the ultra-tiny Sony cameras are out (and they're disqualified anyway because they use Memory Sticks). Oh yes, I also need the camera to use either CF or SD (likely SD at these sizes). I've been looking at the Casio Exilim cameras, and got a bit of hands-on time with one on Monday night. I was extremely impressed! The speed at which I could take a photo was simply awesome - it felt as fast as my 300D, which is fast enough for me. I'm a big fan of Canon, but I don't know if they have anything that compares - I see they've just released some new thin and light SD-based models, the SD200 and SD300, but there's no shutter lag information. In fact, it seems that most manufacturers don't list shutter lag specs.

So what's the fastest, smallest camera on the market?

[Jason Dunn]

http://www.casio.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=products.section&catalog=Cameras&section=EXILIM%20Series

As much as I love my Canon EOS 300D, it's a big camera, and in many scenarios it's just not a workable solution. I have my Canon S400, but in comparison to the size of many cameras on the market, it's pretty large. I also dislike the shutter lag on the S400 - there's nothing more frustrating than missing a great moment because the camera is trying to focus. I've learned to press down halfway to "set the scene" and get the focus ready, but when other people use S400 they just press the button and get frustrated when it doesn't take the picture right away. I think it's perfectly justified - why shouldn't the camera take the picture right away? That has to be the #1 complaint I here from people after they use a digital camera - "Why does it take so long to get the picture?"

So I'm looking for a new camera. I have two primary needs: small size and no shutter lag. I also want an optical zoom, so the ultra-tiny Sony cameras are out (and they're disqualified anyway because they use Memory Sticks). Oh yes, I also need the camera to use either CF or SD (likely SD at these sizes). I've been looking at the Casio Exilim cameras, and got a bit of hands-on time with one on Monday night. I was extremely impressed! The speed at which I could take a photo was simply awesome - it felt as fast as my 300D, which is fast enough for me. I'm a big fan of Canon, but I don't know if they have anything that compares - I see they've just released some new thin and light SD-based models, the SD200 and SD300, but there's no shutter lag information. In fact, it seems that most manufacturers don't list shutter lag specs.

So what's the fastest, smallest camera on the market?

[ctmagnus]

I'm also lookng for a tiny camera. But I don't want CF; I prefer SD at this point in time due to its size. I've been considering an Exilim or possibly a Pentax Optio.

[Felix Torres]

Originally Posted by Jason Dunn

So what's the fastest, smallest camera on the market?

Dunno how small is small...
Is three MP enough?
I have the older 2MP version of the Toshiba T-30 and I'm quite happy.
It is about the size of a big candy bar.

If you're looking at Canon, their A-series (A-75, A-85, etc) are very good and fairly small.

I've also heard the Dimage X line is very good...

All use SD, BTW...

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by Felix Torres

Dunno how small is small...Is three MP enough?

I'd prefer a minimum of 4 MP, and in terms of size...well, the Exilim is the rough size I'm looking for. Nice and thin.

[Gary Sheynkman]

This is too funny :lol:

Im in the exact same boat. I hate to carry my uber cool 717 around and want something that is very fast yet so tiny i could carry it in my pocket.

The sd300 is looking like a great purchase but I will have to play around with one before I can make that choice. The Casios look cool but there is something about them that makes me uneasy. As for me...yeah 4mp would be nice and under $500 usd would be great too.

[Littleshmee]

I'm guessing you're looking for a point-and-shoot (got the rebel for the fancy stuff)
I was at a vendor show a week ago, and I must say, the new Canon SD300 is incredible. About the size of the pentax optios, twice as fast (got the DIGIC 2 processor), and an incredibly fluid, high res LCD.

The other one that caught my eye was the Olympus micro something something... (In canada, I think in the states it's called the verve) Definately an eye-catcher, although I didn't get to play with it too much... only a 2x zoom, but waterproof, and TINY.

Good luck!

[Phoenix]

I've been using a Pentax Optio 555 myself and I like it with its 5mp resolution and its 5x optical zoom lens. And it seems to do pretty well with shutter lag - that is, the lag doesn't seem to be much of a problem, but I'd like to see all cameras made with no lag whatsoever, or lag that is so slight, that it effectively isn't noticed.

The Pentax Optio 555 is fairly small for what it offers, but I wouldn't necessarily call it pocketable. Pentax is going to be releasing their new Optio SV, which also offers 5mp resolution and a 5x optical zoom, a 1.8" LCD and its dimensions are only 92mm x 56mm x 28mm, which is pocketable. The Optio line all take SD cards.

DP Review has some info on it Click Here - Optio SV

Of course, I have no idea if there's much shutter lag on the SV camera, but my guess is that it's most likely very little... Pentax has been workin' their Optio line for sometime now, working out all the kinks. I've been happy with the 555, but would love to have something smaller, like the SV.

The problem with going with something really pocketable, is that the sensors sometimes are not as good as what's in their slightly larger cameras like the 555, resulting in quality that isn't quite as good as one would expect. I suppose it shouldn't make a huge difference, but I've noticed in the past that there is some difference. I'm hoping that the SV wouldn't succumb to this problem.

What Casio has been putting out looks pretty nice as well. So I think your best bet with an SD-based pocketable camera in terms of balancing size, features, resolution, optical zoom, speed, and photo quality, is either Pentax SV or Casio Exilim.

And yes, I would agree, most manufacturers don't list shutter lag specs. You just don't know until you're holding the camera in your hands.

[Felix Torres]

Originally Posted by Jason Dunn

I'd prefer a minimum of 4 MP, and in terms of size...well, the Exilim is the rough size I'm looking for. Nice and thin.

The Dimage X-series only goes to 3MP, I think.
It *is* very fast and with its folded optics you get an optical zoom without a protruding lens housing.

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_.../dimagexg.html

You've probably identified the closest product to your specs in the Exilim...

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by Littleshmee

I was at a vendor show a week ago, and I must say, the new Canon SD300 is incredible. About the size of the pentax optios, twice as fast (got the DIGIC 2 processor), and an incredibly fluid, high res LCD.

When you say "incredibly fast", do you mean the shutter lag? How long did it take from when you pressed the shutter button until the photo was taken? That's the #1 thing I'm looking for...

[Ploobers]

I've got to give 5 stars to the Pentax Optio. I've owned Optio cameras for years now and they are just great. Right now I have the first version of the Optio S, the best part of which is that it fits perfectly into an Altoids can. It doesn't get any more portable than that. I don't know how the new shutter lag speeds are, but mine is just average. I totally recommend them though.