faster FPS w/lower megapixels?

**laseranimal** · 01-10-2008, 05:28 AM

my Canon A520 died last night after a long and dedicated career, looking at replacements and almost everything I've found shoots at a lower fps in burst mode.

Am I going to notice going from the 2 fps of the 520 to something in the neighborhood of 1.5-1.7?

I'm assuming its due to the larger mp's creating a lag, would the fps increase if I lowered the MP's, say instead of shooting at 8 mp's only shoot at 5?

**arild** · 01-10-2008, 06:26 AM

Hmm. Mind you, I´m not sure here, but the larger the files (more MP), the tougher they are for the buffer memory to store on the memory card, thus taking longer time.

Hence, when I take RAW in continuous drive on my 20d, I can only get so and so many frames out of it, due to the larger size of the RAW vs. a large JPEG file, the RAW filling up the buffer memory faster.

**RobT** · 01-10-2008, 08:57 AM

Not sure exactly what cameras you are looking at, but FPS is typically dictated by the cameras actual physical ability to operate quickly. Smaller file size should not increase the FPS, but will increase the number of frames that can be taken in a burst (buffered by the camera).

I would guess you will notice a big difference between 2fps and 1.5 fps. 2 fps is barely tolerable imo.

Rob

**laseranimal** · 01-10-2008, 09:10 AM

I'm trying to stay in the canon family as I've had great results with it

however everything I seem to look at other then the A610-A630 looks like its slower in terms of fps

**hoarhey** · 01-10-2008, 12:34 PM

laseranimal,
how much are the A610's these days?

**300hp** · 01-10-2008, 12:46 PM

yup, all the new canons are slower. the megapixel race in compact cameras is stupid anyway, with such a small CCD sensor it doesn't make sense, but that is what sells in the market. The a610 might be the best ski camera option, I really liked mine. I also had an S3 IS, which is ok, but you might as well step up to a DSLR by that point. Check out the panasonic Tz3. I did a ton of research and this has the best lens (zeiss glass) a 10x optical zoom, 28mm wide angle lens, and will do between 2 unlimited and 3 fps.
aside from the canons, its really your only option. If you don't need raw, check out the canon G7, it shoots a bit faster. and even like .2 fps seems noticable. lower than two is pointless. I like using my tz3 on the 3fps for 8 frames setting. Good enough to catch just before and through the action.
Hunter.