does the olympus x-560 wp take photos fast?

Well ma'am I'm sorry but all automatic cameras, which SLR cameras are - automatic - have what's referred to as "lag" time. That's the time between your half press and the actual shot. The reason is the camera, any camera, requires time to focus and expose.

This time will be longer in low light and much shorter in sunlight. A camera works exactly like your eyes. In a dark room, trying to read is an effort. In a dark room, for a camera trying to focus, it's the same kind of effort.

There is however one trick that might help you, one I use all the time in lower light. I'm assuming your child is quite young and you don't want to startle him with flash and that's a good idea.

So, here's the trick. When you're in a position with your son that you want to get some shots, do your half press from the distance you want to shoot and wait... hold the half press and wait for that one smile or gesture and fire. Do this again and again. Even if you shoot one hundred photos and you only get that one that you really like you've succeeded. Also remember, once you do the half press don't back up or get closer, that will change your focus and you'll need to half press again.

I wanted to shoot my grand daughter by candle light. Lots of work - 4 hours over two nights... she's 13 and does understand what a camera is for. I took more frames than I dreamed I'd have to but I got one so I was successful. Here's a look at what is possible in low light.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimsphotostuff/390258...

Also you can find books on low light shooting. It can be very tricky and disappointing regardless of the camera you own... they all function the same way from $100 to $25,000 - they all react to light.

So give your camera a chance to do its job, try the trick above and see what happens. If you have

success let me know... it would be fun to see a photo.

Good Luck, Jim