can a digital camera take pictures of motion (sporting events)? Cannon A50 good starting camera?

-- rodney alford (rodneylensman@aol.com), March 03, 2000

Answers

The key things for motion shooting are: 1) Shutter priority metering, and 2) High or variable ISO. Shutter priority lets you tell the camera to use a faster shutter speed and wider apertures. I think the A50 has a "motion" mode on it that biases the exposure system toward higher shutter speeds and wide apertures. (It's there on the S10 and S20, I think it goes back in their line as far as the A50.) Higher ISO rating will let the camera use faster shutter times, at the cost of higher image noise. With the A50, you can get ISO400, but only in the low- resolution mode. At high resolutions, the exposure-compensation adjustment boosts the sensitivity of the CCD, but doesn't change shutter speed in the process. The 2MP Canon S10 might be a better bet, as it has a "gain" adjustment for light sensitivity that will impact the shutter speed. It also has the "motion" mode that biases for fast shutter/wide aperture.

-- Dave Etchells (web@imaging-resource.com), March 04, 2000.

digicams aren't generally the best for fast motion shots. Among other problems there's a significant delay between when you press the button and the shot actually gets taken. I managed to get some decent shots of horse racing and basketball, but a lot of luck was involved. If its a bright day that helps. The A50 would be a good starter, sure.

-- benoit (foo@bar.com), March 03, 2000.