Harley, so how do you find the shutter lag on the G9? Is it acceptable to you? Would you be able to shoot candid photos of people as they go about their activities? Or is it strictly posed shots and landscapes?
Oakleaf... the shutter lag is noticeable on single shot, but is much better then most compact cameras in continuous shot mode. Not as fast as the DSLR's but for a small camera ok for action.
It is a fun semi serious camera, image quality is excellent with the Canon processor, same processor that is in the Canon XTI/400D and in my opinion it's all about the capture with digital photography.

Sorry I'll miss this thread, we are headed out of town for the weekend... off to play