why is it so slow? can I fix it?

I have this camera and between taking pictures, it is very slow to take the next picture. Can I fix this?

Hi Elena,

According to several professional reviewers, the shot-to-shot time on the P72 is "less than two seconds even at the largest image size and highest quality" with the flash off. That time is pretty comparable to current non-SLR digital cameras. For example, the new Sony H5, three years newer and a class higher than the P72, takes 1.4 seconds between shots with the flash off.

I have a couple of questions for you in order to better answer your question. First, is the camera slow only when using flash, or with flash off as well? Second, has it gotten slower over time, or has it always been this slow? Third, if you can, please attempt to time the shot-to-shot time and report it back here.

Thanks!

Hi,
1- The shot to shot time (when I take the picture and when the picture comes back on the screen to be able to snap again, is 7 seconds.)
2- My husband thinks it has gotten slower over time (we have had it for 3 years)
3- The shutter time has also decreased. When you press the button down, there is a delay (example, if you think about it as a clock, when you press the shutter button down, it is 9, but by the time it actually snaps it would be 12.)
4- There is no difference with the flash on or off that we have noticed.
Thank you for your time!

Elena,

I honestly don't know why a camera would slow down over time. Usually, with electronics, they simply stop working altogether. Since this camera is fairly old, I'm assuming it's no longer under warranty. It'd cost you a considerable sum just to get Sony to look at an out-of-warranty camera, so that's not really an option--you'd be better off just junking it and buying a new one at that point.

Does the camera take that long to shoot if you half-press the shutter release to focus it first? Usually, even with older cameras, if you pre-focus and then press the shutter release the rest of the way, there is almost entirely negligible shutter lag.

I'm really stymied on this one, but if I think of anything I'll post back here. Good luck!

Elena, I have the exact thing happening to my camera. We replaced the batteries thinking that they just weren't charging like they used to, but that didn't solve the problem. My boys are in sports and it is VERY frustrating when you miss the picture due to it "waiting"!!! We are just ending up "upgrading" to a new one anyway.

It's the batteries.
I tried some lithium AA batteries instead of my rechargeable, and it worked like a race car.

my daughter experience the same problem. i changed the batteries to lithium batteries without any improvement.

I have the similar problem with the delay and waiting to take another picture my screen is just black i have to turn it to review pics in order to be able to take another picture