Compact P&S w/ shortest shutter lag (comparable to SLR)?

[silo113]

My canon A70 finally crapped out (for the 3rd time, but no longer under warranty) I'm looking to replace it . I have a Digital Rebel XT SLR and have come to love how quick pictures are focused/taken. Which current compact point & shoot takes the fastest pictures? I'm not set on Canon, but have heard good things about the A620. Any recommendations are great. People that own both SLR and P & S would be very helpful. (P.S. I have already searched) Criteria: 1) short shutter lag/quick pictures 2) size comparable to A70 , but preferably smaller 3) ~$300- wife needs good automatic features 4) no Sony (don't believe in proprietary memory cards) Thanks a lot for your help.