Hi, I'm new here and have a few basic questions

[Ma'Deuce]

Hi all. wondered if a few of you would be kind enough to get me started on purchasing a dig. camera to replace the one I've got? I know this has got to be one of the most frequently asked questions, but here goes anyway.
What camera can i get that will take a picture WHEN i push the button? and can i get a camera that will take a picture everytime i push the button as fast as my finger can press it? My wife and I have, well, a lot of pics that are about 3 seconds too slow:mad2: . I don't want to wait for the little green light to stop flashing. i don't want to wait for the flash to warm up. i don't want to wait.
We've got a 2yr old that moves pretty quick and if your not on the button before she does that "cute thing", your going to miss it. same with the dogs. it's gotten to the point where we've almost given up on trying to take pictures of our little girl because it damn near causes a divorce due to not getting the picture fast enough. We're looking for something in the $300 range.
Can anyone help? or at least give advise? Thanks

Tim

[Ma'Deuce]

A little more info on what we plan to use the camera for. As mentioned, action shots of the little one and of our dogs. Holiday family photos. Vacation photos. and there are times when we go rock climbing and NEED to get "that shot". We'd like to be able to get at least 100 or so photos on one memory stick(doesn't sound like that will be a problem), and easily download, edit, delete and email photos that have been taken. Most all of the cameras anymore come with acceptable zoom for these applications, however, zoom and focus speed are a concern for us. the quicker the better. there's got to be something out there better than the sony mini disk camera that we have now. Soooooo Sloooooow.

Tim

[Sebastian]

All cameras work like this:

Half-Press shutter -> acquire focus -> Press shutter -> open shutter curtain

The better the camera, the faster this happens. Any camera you use will have to focus before the picture can be taken. Better cameras can focus continuously, giving you greater flexibility.

I suggest you learn techniques that have been used for years successfully to counteract the issues you mention. Try prefocusing, so the camera is already focused when you press the shutter. Learn the shutter release delay so you can time the action better. Even on $1500 digital SLRs there's a delay, and all of us need to learn it to get timing down. Higher-end bodies have really short shutter delays measured in milliseconds, but those cost about ten times your budget. You don't need a new camera, you just need to work around the limitations of what you have.

[direktor]

True that all cameras have a shutter delay and one has to learn to anticipate it, but I just picked up a 20D after having a Coolpix 995 for the last 5 years.

I can tell you the 2 cameras are not even on the same planet, shutter delay-wise or otherwise :-)

Ma'Deuce, look into an affordable DSLR like a Canon Rebel...SLRs have dramatically lower delay times.

[cyberlord]

Any of the entry level prosumer SLR cameras will have much better if not unnoticeable shutter lag. However all digital cameras have some lag (as previously stated).

You can learn technique or upgrade to an entry level SLR.

Canon Rebel, Nikon D50, or Pentax DL are all good cameras and have, compared to point and shoot cameras, negligible shutter lag.

I opted for the lowest cost Pentax DL and have never looked back!

Tim

[another view]

Nothing will beat a DSLR here. However, setting up some of the manual functions on the camera will speed the shutter lag time - less things the camera has to decide when the button is half-pressed. Most notably would be focus - as inconvenient as that may be.

My old Nikon Coolpix 5000 is much faster when everything is set manually. The current version of it is the 8400, but it's above your budget. Manual focus isn't a strong point with any camera like this - leading back to the DSLR being the best choice...

[Andy67]

on my camera you can put it on a kids/pets function that takes the photo the second you push the button, try changing the setting on your camera, hope this helps