Why does a DSLR have more shutter lag in Live View than through the viewfinder?
Asked 5/6/2014
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On my Nikon D5100, taking a photo in Live View feels noticeably slower than using the optical viewfinder. I know autofocus is often slower in Live View, but I still notice extra delay even when using manual focus. Is this just how DSLR Live View works, and what causes the added shutter lag?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
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There is more shutter lag because the shutter has to close first before opening again to expose the shot. When you turn on live view, the mirror is raised and the shutter is opened, so the image formed by the sensor can be fed constantly to the LCD. When you take a shot in live view, the shutter closes again to 'reset' the sensor before the actual exposure is made.
When shooting with the viewfinder, the process (simplified) is:
Press button -> mirror lifts -> shutter opens -> light hits sensor which registers it -> shutter closes
When shooting with Live View, the process is:
Press button -> shutter closes -> sensor 'resets to 0' -> shutter opens -> light hits sensor -> shutter closes
Essentially, the mirror lifting is a quicker process than the shutter closing and the sensor 'resetting'.
Originally by user3205. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user3205
12y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes — on a DSLR this is normal. In Live View, the camera is already using the sensor continuously to feed the rear LCD, which means the mirror is up and the shutter is open. When you press the shutter button, the camera typically has to close the shutter first, reset the sensor, then open the shutter again to make the actual exposure, and finally close it at the end.
Through the optical viewfinder, the sequence is simpler: press the button, mirror flips up, shutter opens for the exposure, then closes. That usually feels faster.
So even in manual focus, Live View can have more shutter lag because of the extra mechanical and sensor-reset steps required before the exposure starts. Autofocus can add even more delay in Live View, since DSLRs often use slower contrast-detect AF there instead of the faster phase-detect AF used with the viewfinder.
On some cameras, settings such as exposure delay mode can also affect timing.
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