How large an optical zoom capability do you want? The point and shoots are around 3x, but some of the "bridge" cameras go quite a bit higher. My dad recently purchased an Olympus that had an 18x optical zoom.

More is better, but it's the lowest thing on my list, I'd trade price for zoom if I got the other 4 things.

This.

Recognize that Total Lag = Autofocus lag + shutter lag. If you autofocus first (by pressing shutter button halfway down) you eliminate it and have only shutter lag.

Some links: Shutter lag and start-up time comparison

More on shutter lag

Digital camera buying (part 1)

Another thing you might actually like is a still camera with video recording capabilities. (make sure it can do sound and video). The length of video (and still pics) that you can save depends upon the size of the compact flash (or SD card) that the camera takes. The bigger the better. I recommend at least a 1GB card. (These often don't come with the camera. No matter. Buy the size you want after the fact.)

I personally think the Canon point and shoots are great cameras and good values. The A630, for example, gets 4-1/2 stars from Amazon reader reviews. (You can learn a lot by reading the reviews of people who bought a particular camera).

While I can't speak to the shutter lag issue, I have had GREAT results (I think) with my Kodak DX-something-or-other.

The key to a good Kodak is making sure you buy one with the Schneider-Kreuznach (spelled from memory and almost certainly mis-spelled) lens.

Ours is over 3 years old now, and we are still quite happy with it. I just recently noticed mrs richat covering part of the flash with her finger for indoor low light shots, which works really well to cut down on that freaky over flashed thing that happens with most point and shoots I've used.

Many co-workers have purchased models with the same lens to much delight. Oh, and you can usually grab one for around $250.00 at Costco.

Okay, now that I've read some of spock's links, I can easily say, that as long as I do the half-button-push focus thing, I have captured many shots of my girls in mid-air, etc. Without the pre-focusing, it's much tougher to accomplish. I don't find it hard at all, so long as I pre-focus.

I got a Canon SD 600 at Costco a couple months ago and I have to say I am supremely happy with it! It's small and easily fits in pockets, takes video and I haven't noticed that much lag with it. I bought the 1 Gb card to go with it and have yet to fill it even after nights of drunken photo taking. It came with a rechargeable battery and a little charger.

All good stuff so far, thanks folks.

That looks pretty sweet Jan, have you used one?

I can't find pictures taken by this camera on the Flickr

I swear by my Canon PowerShot S50. I picked it up for $150 on Ebay and I love love love it. It does the video thing, too, which is fun.

I have a much bigger Lumix, the FZ7, which I bought just over a year ago. It's totally groovy, but not compact, (it's what they call a 'prosumer' camera, midway between a point-and-click and a proper camera) so I'm thinking also of getting a small compact too, and I love the look of that compact Lumix. It packs a huge amount of features into such a tiny camera.

I JUST BOUGHT A LUMIX FZ5 AND I LOVE IT.

/lumix shouting thread.

btw, acro, I find the small gorillapod is just fine with my FZ7, if you're thinking of getting a tripod. I didn't know there were two sizes, and would've bought the bigger one if I'd known. But the smaller one holds the weight of the FZ7 with no problem.

AND YES, PANASONIC LUMIX ARE THE MUTT'S NUTS!

I got the Lumix to replace an old Canon A80 4Megapixel-3X Optical zoom---It's 6 years old and still works, despite being dropped, soaked, etc. Here's a newer version, 4X, 7MP, available for ~$120USD.

I want to upgrade my camera to the newish Canon S5IS. Great camera, not cheap though.

No one cool EVER takes my advice. Only Luddites I work with.

I have a Canon SD450. It was bought strictly for lag issues in focus. I went to a store with my own SD card and tried a half dozen cameras by taking a picture of my daughter. With the Canon set on "Kids and Pets" the latency is extremely low between click-and-pic.

I was a little worried about the form factor in that anything that slips easily into a pocket slips out easily as well, but it has help up very well over the past three years.

The only thing that pisses me off is that it doesn't show up as a drive when you plug it in.

Well, I want to thank you guys for turning me on to the Panasonic Lumix line. I'd love to buy a Canon XTi — but for a fraction of the cost it looks like I can get a LOT of bang for the buck with a Lumix. I'm on the verge of ordering one now. The model I'm looking at is more than a Point & Shoot, but that's OK with me (and it has a "simple" mode if you want to point & shoot). I also like the wide-angle/macro add-on lens you can get to turn it into an effective 16mm to 400mm (+) range and with image stabilization, too. Leica optics too? Geeeeeez!

Thanks everyone. I really like the form factor of the smaller Lumixes, and it seems to be what I'm looking for. I'll go try one out.