The time delay in digital cameras is certainly shortening but no doubt a problem for some. I was aware of delay with my old camera but haven't been aware of it with my new. I've managed to capture butterflies and birds - though they'd be better if I bought the add on telephoto lens. I haven't been around fast moving children though have picked up some great shots of my great nieces ranging in age from 3 months to 8 years;-) Re batteries, My old digital camera went through batteries fast and used 4 AAs. My Canon S70 has a special battery - rechargeable lithium iron battery. I haven't gone anywhere near using it up with taking considerable number of pictures with a lot of zooming and playback (both things which flattened even special AAs fast). It's supposed to be good for 140 images or 210 minutes of playback time. I haven't taken quite that number of images in a session/day but have taken 70+ with lots of playback included. I'd certainly need a heap of AAs to match that - but I bought the camera to be easily carried so I don't want to carry a big bag of AAs ;-). I'm yet to receive a low battery warning. I recharge when I come home. Perhaps times are changing? Cathy At 02:39 14/03/2005, you wrote: >One recommendation I will add for digital cameras is to find one that >uses ordinary RECHARGABLE AA batteries. Some cameras use special >batteries that are hard to find, and expensive. Digital cameras go >through batteries FAST; you'll want to get a few spares and a charger. > >Digital cameras are nice! There's one difference, though, between my >digital camera and my film camera that's been hard to adjust to. >Digital cameras have a quite noticable lag from when you press the >shutter release until it captures the picture; with a film camera it's >instantaneous. Not a big deal if your subject isn't moving (grave >markers), but a lot of my pictures of children are their backs! If >action is important, be sure to try it out when you're looking for >cameras. The last time I was shopping for a camera, the Sony cameras >were supposed to have the shortest time delay, but they were still >unacceptable for fast action, in my opinion. > >Kraig