Wanted FAST small point & shoot

[rrosenwald]

I want a very compact digital (maybe like Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T30 or EASYSHARE V610 Dual Lens Digital Camera) that is in the 5-7 megapixel range that is VERY fast from the time one turns it on to be ready to take the first photo and that recycles very quickly. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Good optics and good optical zoom would be plus.

[Militaris]

Check out the Canon PowerShot SD700 IS, or any of the newer cameras in the Powershot SD range.

The Fuji FinePix Z1/Z2 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX9 are also worth a look.

The Sony you mentioned is also a good option.

[wicker_man]

The Casio EX-Z750 and Z850 are quite fast small cameras, 7mp/8mp and 3x optical zoom.