I want to buy a digital camera that takes photos quickly (short time between pushing the button & photo take)?

I want to take photos of small children & animals. But by the time I push the button & the then the picture takes sometimes they are not looking at me anymore. I just want to capture images more quickly w/o loosing too much photo quality. I am not a real "tech saavy" person, but I enjoy good quality photos. Please help me!!!

Get a Nikon D50. There is no delay between pictures at all and no delay between the time you press the button and the camera takes the picture. It has a few "consumer friendly" automatic modes, including a "child" mode, that make it very easy to use, but still offers total photographic control when you are ready to take charge. The "kit" lens is a decent lens optically, but you might want to upgrade to the Nikkor AF-S 18-70 f/3.5-4.5G ED DX lens for a bit more range and a lot more durability. When you are ready to add lenses, the sky is the limit with Nikon. Then, when you upgrade your camera, you will have a nice, useful collection of lenses.

Get a 1 GB memory card, such as the Sandisk "Ultra" for decent write speed.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d50.htm

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Ni...

Circuit City has it for $630, with the lens.
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Nikon-D50...

Walmart had it for $660, but they are out of stock on-line. Maybe a local store has it.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...

The memory card will cost $50-60 or so, depending on sales or rebates.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com has a kit with lens AND 2 GB Sandisk memory card for $650. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controll...

The D40 is the hot new cute DSLR from Nikon, but frankly, it costs the SAME as the D50 and is not as versatile, should you decide to learn more about what you are doing. I'd just buy the D50 and be done with it, as the D40 is going to be hard to find anyway.

Your best bet is to buy an SLR (Single Lens Reflex) camera. The digital SLR's don't have that long lag time like the point and shoot cameras do. Also, you are looking through the lens so you see what you are taking a picture of. Take a look at the Canon Rebel as it has pre-programed shooting modes as well as some manual modes. The added bonus of an SLR is that if you do decided to get tech savy, you have the ability to add lenses.

I won't say another word except to back up Dr Sam's answer. AS usual for him it is well researched, well thought out and completely accurate.

I personally own a D50 and can back what he says from personal experience. Once you learn how to use it, the possibilities are endless and the picture quality is excellent. I have won a competition and been offered money for pictures taken with this camera.

You would have to think he deserves best answer for his response.