SD300 - Controlling the Shutter Speed with Flash Off

[xdarque]

I love my SD300, but the one area I've found it lacking most is in the manual controls.

Damnit, if a camera has a "manual mode", then GIVE ME FULL CONTROL!!! What is up with these half-assed manual modes? The only thing I can figure is that the manufacturers don't want their point-and-shoot models competing with their SLR models, so they cripple the former.

But I digress.

My issue is that I want to shoot action shots but WITHOUT a flash. So I switch to the "Kids & Pets" shooting mode, since I believe it's the only one that lets you use the camera's fastest shutter speed, which is 1/1500 seconds. Great. So I'm shooting action shots, and they're coming out pretty well and without blurriness, but I notice that the flash keeps firing, which is annoying me. So I turn the flash to "off". And I resume taking action shots. And what do I notice? My shots start getting very blurry, as if the camera will not use the 1/1500 shutter speed if you turn off the flash.

What's up with that? Why do all these manufacturers make their more advanced users fight with their point-and-shoot cameras in order to get the behavior they expect?

Or am I totally missing something?

Does anyone know how to take action shots with the flash turned off with this camera?

Thanks in advance,
-xdarque

[David Metsky]

Without the flash, the camera probably decided that at 1/500 there wouldn't be enough light for the photo, so it kept it open for longer. I haven't played with all the modes yet, so I'm not sure if there is a better mode for flashless high speed shots. With limited light, what can you do?

I like the camera, but it's clearly a P&S. Adding more controls and options would increase the price and the vast majority of the buyers would never use it. I love full manual controls, but on an ultracompact model it doesn't seem to make much sense.

[variozin]

:o this is an ultra compact camera with small lens,small aperture and so small image sensor. This all means that it has low capability to capture light compared to high end and SLR cameras. If you see those camera you can easily make out the difference. And even, there are lens called fast lens for the purpose you are intending to achieve i.e low light action shots without flash. These lens have the ability to capture enough light with min or less exposure, so they are big in size.
Its not possible to achieve that capability in ultra compact cameras.Even though if they allow you to control shutter speed, you will get nothing but a very dark image which will be of no use.And thats why the manufacturer dont put that feature in this camera.
But still you can get a good photo the way u want it, just by using a means to stabilise the camera via a tripod or something.

hope this will satisfy
cheers ;)

[gary_hendricks]

The whole problem is with low light.

Low light = Slower shutter speed in AUTO mode for an ultracompact.

This in turn means the photo is prone to camera shake if you have unsteady hands.