compact and fast AF? with burst? exists?

[jh_on_the_cape]

Hey I am considering getting a new camera this weekend (no tax in MA this weekend!).

We have a Canon digital ELPH S500.
Love the compact size. However, it has been inadequate for us to take pics of our very fast moving children, esp. indoors and totally hopeless for low light mtbing. Our friend got a D40 and took some awesome pics so it got me thinking. the canon simply cannot focus sometimes or hesitates and just kind of chokes up or something.

I am looking for (not in any real order)
1. compact - could be a bit larger, but really want small... hence the hesitation with the D40.
2. easy to use. even with a D40 we will be using autofocus. we are not that into photography and dont have tons of time to photoshop. i crop and rotate, that's it.
3. fast autofocus. or at least faster
4. image stabilization
5. ability to do burst photos (like take 5 photos really fast). i found this awesome on my friends camera. not necessary, but would be cool.
6. simple video.

willing to spend about 500

i dont need to be able to change lenses.

I was so overwhelmed at the camera shop! I need help. i am hesitating on the d40 because it's so big.

thanks!

[drg]

Welcome to PR.

Have you looked at the review section for various users comments as well as the Pro Reviews?

If you can, try out a few cameras in the stores. It may tell you if they are among other things 'fast enough' which is to say they have minimal shutter lag. Take a memory card with you, (most of the cameras you will probably look at take SD though a few many take something else) and then bring home samples.

If the video option is important, consider buying a video camera. or at least be sure that the camera supports one of the standards such as MPEG-4 directly. Samsung, to name one, requires that with one series you 'convert' the image via a software solution. 640x480 video should also be supporte.

Fujifilm currently makes the best low light small p/s type cameras, though some find their daylight performance only average. A 'child' mode is starting to appear (it sometimes is called something else or use the 'sport' mode) that makes the shutter release more quickly, but the AF may not have fully locked on to the subject.

Check out the reviews and the share your thoughts and you'll undoubtedly get a few more responses!!

[jh_on_the_cape]

Thanks for the reply.
Yes shutter lag is important. That's really the problem with our current camera.


I looked up the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX9
and it seems to have what I am looking for. The only issue is that I really cannot go around and try these. I will either go to someplace like bestbuy or walmart and get something but they have limited selection and no real help, or just pick something based on web reviews and buy it online...

would something larger like the canon s3is have less shutter lag because it has a larger lens, or is there more to it?