Canon Sx100
Does the Canon SX100 IS has a shutter lag?

I would like to take pictures of a squirmy one year old and I like the camera due to the range prices. He does not want a bulky SLR.

Short answer: if you have a shutter lag, there is not a digital compact on the market that has no delay trigger. Shutter lag is caused by the fact that the sensor video camera is taking the time (when you look at the screen to take the picture) when you take a photo of the camera has to reassess the image (and possibly redirect) before it can take the picture. The only way to achieve this is truly round with a digital SLR, SLR sensor uses a separate approach and do not have to produce a video image to the focus (Because the mirror system) and so have shutter response times faster than the human body. Having said that covenants are getting better, and are improving processing capabilities year after year. Check out the user forums to get a detailed response on this camera or, better, go to a store and ask to see itself. The results can be quite good for what your trying to do, but do not expect to be fully snapshot.