Digimom,
I'm sure you'll get some replies recommending cameras, but I thought I'd pass along a tip regarding shutter lag. If you press the shutter halfway first to focus, keep it pressed until the right moment, then press all the way to take your shot, you'll all but eliminate shutter lag in any camera (other than your cell phone, that is). Most times that shutter lag is just the camera doing all its calculations (focus, exposure, etc.)
Zakb,
Thanks for the tip. I'll have to try it after I decide on which camera to get .