Picture delay is there a way to change how fast the pictures are taken, my camera seems to have a delay for some reason, which makes it hard to snap a random shot..

Are your pictures properly exposed and are they sharp or are your pictures degraded? Is that 1/3-second you describe a delay between the time you push the shutter release and the time the picture is taken or somthing else? Check to make sure you're in the proper shutter release mode (slider switch to right of the mode dial). Also, your self-timer may be turned on. Your camera allows you to set a 2 or 10 second delay from the menus. If it is set to 2 seconds and turned on, it might seem like a 1/3-second delay. If that doesn't help, you camera is covered by Nikon's warranty. Contact Nikon Service at 1-800-NIKON-US (1-800-645-6687) 9AM-8PM EST, Monday to Friday.

WOW! The little guys are fast!
Mine come out blurred most of the time, unless it's outside with lots of light.

Sadly, the average digital cameras need that time delay to focus and adjust for light conditions and such.
You could press the button without waiting for this, but the camera will do its own thing, like take its time to focus and adjust and then take the picture.

The Manual setting could help a bit if you always stayed at the same distance and in the same light conditions, but you'd have to preset everything. Not enough time for that, right?

Does your camera have the feature where you can take several pictures in quick succession?
I have a Kodak Z712-IS and it is capable of doing it, but I'd have to use ESP to know when to start snapping pictures, and hopefully one comes out OK.

Manual:
http://www.kodak.com/global/plugins/acrobat/en/service/manuals/urg01041/C182_xUG_GLB_en.pdf

Page 11

Using the self-timer
Use the self-timer when you want to be included in a picture, or to ensure a steady
Shutter button press. Place the camera on a tripod or flat surface.
1 In any picture-taking mode, press the Info button to turn on the shortcut icons.
2 Press to highlight the self-timer icon. Press to choose a setting:
10 seconds- A picture is taken after a 10-second delay (so you have time
to get into the scene).
2 seconds- A picture is taken after a 2-second delay (for a steady, shutter
release on a tripod).
2 shot- The first picture is taken after a 10-second delay. A second picture
is taken 8 seconds later.
3 Compose the scene. Press the Shutter button halfway, then completely down.
The camera takes the picture/pictures after the delay.
Use the same procedure to take a 2- or 10-second self-timer video, but press the
Shutter button completely down.

Hi, Follow these steps:
1. In any Still mode, tap Settings to open the Settings panel.
2. Tap Self-Timer/Burst repeatedly, until the desired Self-timer icon appears at the bottom of the LCD: 10 seconds—A picture is taken after a 10-second delay (so you have time to get into the scene). 2 seconds—A picture is taken after a 2-second delay (for a steady, auto-shutter release on a tripod). 2 shot—The first picture is taken after a 10-second delay. A second picture is taken 8 seconds later.
3. Compose the scene. Press the Shutter button halfway, then completely down. The camera takes the picture/pictures

1 In any Still mode, press the button repeatedly to choose: 10 seconds?A picture is taken after a 10-second delay (so you have time to get into the scene). 2 seconds?A picture is taken after a 2-second delay (for a steady, auto-shutter release on a tripod). 2 shot?The first picture is taken after a 10-second delay. A second picture is taken 8 seconds later. 2 Compose the scene. 3 Press the Shutter button halfway, then completely down.

HI I AM SAGHA,A CAMERA REPAIRER FROM MUMBAI .I THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SETTING PROBLEMS PROVIDED YOU R GETTING PROPER PHOTOGRAPHS.1}UR CAMERA MIGHT BE ON ANTISHAKE MODE WHICH FIRST LOCKS MIRROR FIRST UPSIDE THEN OPENS THE SHUTTER WHICH MAKES TO FEEL THAT SHUTTER IS DELAYED. SO FIRST REMOVE THAT MODE & OBSERVE THE SOUND.

hi... try this method

1 In any Still mode, tap Settings to open the Settings
panel.
2 Tap Self-Timer/Burst repeatedly, until the desired
Self-timer icon appears at the bottom of the LCD:
10 seconds—A picture is taken after a 10-second
delay (so you have time to get into the scene).
2 seconds—A picture is taken after a 2-second
delay (for a steady, auto-shutter release on a
tripod).
2 shot—The first picture is taken after a 10-second
delay. A second picture is taken 8 seconds later.
3 Compose the scene. Press the Shutter button halfway, then completely down.
The camera takes the picture/pictures after the delay....

thank u

1 In any Still mode, tap Settings to open the Settings
panel.
2 Tap Self-Timer/Burst repeatedly, until the desired
Self-timer icon appears at the bottom of the LCD:
10 seconds—A picture is taken after a 10-second
delay (so you have time to get into the scene).
2 seconds—A picture is taken after a 2-second
delay (for a steady, auto-shutter release on a
tripod).
2 shot—The first picture is taken after a 10-second
delay. A second picture is taken 8 seconds later.
3 Compose the scene. Press the Shutter button halfway, then completely down.
The camera takes the picture/pictures after the delay.

The delay is absolutely normal. When you press the button to take a picture, the camera takes its 1-3 seconds to focus on the image, prepare the flash. Once that's done, the camera "clicks" and the photograph is taken.

Happy shooting!

The longest part of the shutter delay is caused by the autofocus mechanism. Most cameras will let you press the button half-way down and wait until the autofocus is locked. Then wait for the action to occur. When you press the button the remaining distance, there will be a shutter delay of about 0.2 seconds before the picture is taken. Using that technique will let you capture action shots. There is no way to improve shutter delay on any particular camera. The newer digital cameras are showing improvement in this area. Some are achieving autofocus lock in 0.4 seconds and shutter delay of an additional 0.1 seconds.