Shutter lag

Abstract: A digital imaging device performs automatic focus and exposure adjustments based on high-resolution frames when a scene change has been detected based on the analysis of low-resolution frames. The digital imaging device reduces battery power consumption while simultaneously shortening shutter lag.

Abstract: The delays in digital still cameras due to the lag between the press of the shutter release and the shutter opening and due to the reaction time of the photographer are compensated for by continuously capturing and storing images and by selecting a desired one of the images based on the lags. Upon processing an indication from the photographer, the camera begins capturing images at regular images and stores the most recent images in a first-in first-out buffer. At a second indication from the photographer, the camera selects, in accordance with the lags, the image in the buffer a fixed amount of time prior to the second indication for further processing. In this way, both the delay due to human reaction time and the delay due to shutter lag have been compensated for.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing a shutter lag in a device with a digital camera function, in which an electronic shutter can be driven in a state of a half shutter or a full shutter, and a controller controls execution of a sub-sampling preview mode if the camera function is driven, controls to fix white balance and exposure and automatically adjust a focus upon detecting an input of the half shutter during the execution of the sub-sampling preview mode, switches to a full-pixel preview mode after completion of the adjustment, and performs image capturing upon detecting an input of the full shutter.

Abstract: The quality of digital cameras has undergone a magnificent development during the last 10 years. So have the methods to evaluate the quality of these cameras. At the time the first consumer digital cameras were released in 1996, the first ISO standards on test procedures were already on their way. At that time the quality was mainly evaluated using a visual analysis of images taken of test charts as well as natural scenes. The ISO standards lead the way to a couple of more objective and reproducible methods to measure characteristics such as dynamic ranges, speed, resolution and noise. This paper presents an overview of the camera characteristics, the existing evaluation methods and their development during the last years. It summarizes the basic requirements for reliable test methods, and answers the question of whether it is possible to test cameras without taking pictures of natural scenes under specific lighting conditions. In addition to the evaluation methods, this paper mentions the problems of digital cameras in the past concerning power consumption, shutter lag, etc. It also states existing deficits which need to be solved in the future such as optimized exposure and gamma control, increasing sensitivity without increasing noise, and the further reduction of shutter lag etc.