Blog of Kim Loon

When we see look most photos of fireworks, we find that most of these photos were taken using (D)SLR Cameras.

Nowadays, most people own a digital point and shoot camera? Can these camera capable of taking good, beautiful fireworks photos? Especially those with trailing lights?

I had shot many fireworks with Point and Shoot Cameras before I bought my DSLR Canon EOS 400D. Let see how the effect come out. (please on the picture for larger version.)

My very first digital camera was Olympus C200 Zoom. I did not know much about camera then. This camera did not offer me much control. My best setting was automatic night shoot.

Taken using Olympus C200 Zoom Camera in 2004

Years later, I thought I need a better camera, one with higher megapixels. So I bought the Canon Powershot A95. This camera provided me with full control over the setting. But I did not make full use of these setting.

Taken using Canon Powershot A95, P Mode.

Soon, I learnt some techniques to shoot fireworks. Fortunately, there was the fireworks festival for me to try out these techniques. I was surprised by the effects, especially the trailing lights.

Taken using Canon Powershot A95, Manual Mode

After I got my EOS 400D, I hardly use any Point and Shoot Camera for some time. But I still get a Point and Shoot Camera as a carry around camera. Recently, I decided to try out this point and shoot camera’s capability to shoot fireworks.

Taken using Canon Powershot A470 using SCN-Fireworks Mode

This camera does not provide much manual control. It has special scenes function. The fireworks functions works well. The reason why the fireworks was so small was because I was too far away. And I was operating another camera, (see my earlier post.)

In conclusion, Point and Shoot Cameras are capable of shooting fireworks with trailing light. The important items are, we need a tripod (or some good support) and the right setting. The setback is that, the zoom is not as fast as with DSLR Zoom lens.