I have yet to use a compact digital camera that comes close to a DSLR for shutter-lag, and certainly not for image quality. Have you considered looking at a used digital SLR? I shot with and made a lot of money with a Canon EOS 10D. I would take that 6-megapixel digital SLR over any available compact camera if I was serious about shooting sports. I think some of the Canon 12-megapixel cameras might have better image quality than the 10D now - at least at low ISO. But the shutter-lag and AF performance of even the best compact won't come close. I think you should be able to find really good deals on used cameras like the EOS 10D, 20D, XT, and XTi, now.