canon powershot A400?

I'm not really sure why the LCD turns amber in between shots, but I do know how you could possibly get the camera to work a little faster.

Firstly, make sure you press the shutter button half way to lock in the focus (the little square should turn green) and then, recompose your shot or wait for the right moment...and then press the button all the way down. This obviously won't work for those quick and spontaneous shots you want, though.

Turning off the flash also helps...and turning off the LCD screen and using the viewfinder instead will help the camera to work quicker.

Using a good, fast memory card will also help (Sandisk Ultra II highly recommended).

But, the camera does have it's limits I suppose, because it's an entry level model, and is now 2 1/2 yrs old.

Technology has greatly improved in that time and if you continue to be frustrated by the slowness of the camera, then I would suggest a newer model, which will give you faster performance.

I would highly recommend Canon, just not their lowest end cameras, though.

Some good models to look out for are the 7.1MP, A550 (due mid Feb) which will retail for US$199.

or the 8MP, A630 (US$250)

or the 10MP, A640 (under US$400)

good luck...

i've got self assurance the variety is S3IS and not S315. in case you seem heavily, there's a small button close to the zoom/shutter launch button. there's a small icon that shows multi photos/timer. in case you press the button, it is going to shuffle between single shot, dissimilar photos and timer shot. To specify the dimensions of the timer (2sec, 10sec or custom timer) circulate to the menu, below recording strategies, and you will be able to alter the self timer decision.

The parts are probably wearing out because you've probably used it a lot!