Start-up time and shutter lag
Digital cameras are complex electronic packages. When switched on, some of them take a finite and noticeable period of time before they are ready to 'point and shoot'. This can be important if you are likely to be using the camera to try to capture 'unplanned' snaps of children or animals.
Similarly, there is something called shutter lag. This is the delay between pressing the shutter and the picture actually being taken. Again, this can be very important if you are trying to capture something on camera; certainly if something is moving very fast (like a car or a runner) then you may find that your camera has missed the very thing you wished to capture!
There are a number of very useful web sites which give information on shutter lag etc, but it is a good idea to try the camera for yourself in a store, as using a camera is very much a matter of personal preference.
