The shutter lag is very very acceptable. There is a small amount of lag but not like what most point and shoot digitals have (i do consider this still a point and shoot camera). Having come from the analog slr world to the digital world (psuedo slr) world (I have been using a Sony digital camera for 5 years now), I expect some short comings with any digital camera. I didnt want to go throught he expense of buying a dslr and all the lenses (not worth it for every day shooting). The 9100 is a fantastic compromise plus the added benefit of having all the extra features. Many people complain about how the camera is a bit complicated with all the menus etc and having to ‘read’ the manual….. well all i have to say about those comments is.. what do you expect for a camera of this caliber. I think any of the higher end P&S (prosumer) cameras will have the same learning curve. If you want to know the cameras short comings or positive points one has to read the manual and get a working knowledge of the camera. I feela dslr would have the same if not more, learning curve. So far I love this camera. With an energetic child, i probably wouldnt hesistate to buy this camera over a true dslr. Everything you do with a dslr is doable with the 9100. I suggest manually setting the ISO to 100 possibly 200 tops. Like an slr camera … if you push the ISO you will increase the grain/noise. If everyday shooting was being done originally with 100 ISO film, then why not with digital as well The Auto setting for shutter and apeture is pretty good. I would also suggest experimenting with Auto and Apeture Priority… only because the metering system on ANY digial camera is easily fooled by high contrasting foreground and backgrounds.

Hope that helps a bit

Russ

Did you get any chance to compare the shutter lag from this camera and a SLR camera? How bad is it?
I’m still trying to decide whether to get a SLR-like or a SLR camera since I’ve got energetic 3 years old boy who just can not stay still :p