Point and shoot camera tend to be VERY slow in terms of time from pushing "take picture" button to actually taking picture. Commonly referred to as shutter lag. As a result, it can be tough to take pictures of small kids or sports/action with point and shoots. If you really want quick shutter reponse, then you will want to look at SLRs or higher end non-SLR cameras that function much like an SLR but cannot interchange lenses. In other words, your typical small point and shoot will not work so well.

If you are talk about time from picture being taken to full storage on the memory card and then being ready to take the next picture, then that will depend on resolutions of camera (i.e. how big the file is that it needs to save), the type of storage media (some flash memory storage card systems are faster than others), and amount of buffer the camera has (some cameras will have fast buffer memory that will allow you to take some rapid pictures in a row filling up the buffer and then saving to the flash memory "later").

It would appear that several of Canon's PowerShot cameras might compete well with this camera. My suggestion would be to go to a local store and try them out.

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[soapbox] Backup good...no backup bad!! [/soap box]

Here is a review from CNET:

[url]http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/canon-powershot-a550/4505-6501_7-32314543.html_

It appears that it does not have full, traditional "manual" mode (i.e. you set shutter speed and aperture), but I could not really tell for sure. It has some sort of manual mode.

You might want to go to the Canon SureShoot A630 if you really want a traditional manual mode. I have the A610 and it will do a true, traditional manual mode. It works fine for a point and shoot camera. If you are expecting more, then you will need to look at higher end non-SLR cameras and SLR cameras. If you go with a point and shoot, then you have to accept the inherent limiitations.

I believe the Olympus C-5500 is an older model that may not be readily available. That might make it difficult to find it in stores.

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[soapbox] Backup good...no backup bad!! [/soap box]

Most current mid-priced an up point and shoot cameras will manage shot to shot times of 1.5 to 1.6 sec. if you're not using the flash. Using flash the shot to shot times will be controlled by the flash recharge time. General rule - the more/bigger batteries the camera has the faster the flash recycle time.