numbers to quantify digital view screen delay and shutter delay on compact cameras

[pcDigiMan]

Considering purchasing a new pocket camera for the wife and myself. In the past (2 years ago) I noticed the delay involved with looking through a View Screen and then the shutter delay were considerable. I noticed this when taking photos at action events. Does anyone have numbers to quantify digital view screen delay and shutter delay on new (and old #'s to compare to new would be interesting) Canon compact cameras such as the Elph or similar?

When I look at camera specifications how does Canon display delay resulting from the digital view screen and shutter delay?

[etaf]

its often the focusing that causes such a delay - if you pre focus you can often get faster responses - it can be a problem in action however, i have managed to capture action by knowing what is expected to happen and prefocus
see here
http://www.dpforums.com/dpgallery/showphoto.php/photo/5916
and
http://www.dpforums.com/dpgallery/showphoto.php/photo/5263

on steves reviews he often provides the delay time for cameras reviewed
http://www.steves-digicams.com/default.htm

if you want to test in a shop - get a friend to stand and raise an lower there arm at a constant speed - then take the picture when the arm is horizontal and see where it is in the picture - then you can compare different cameras lag time