Does a DSLR or a compact digital take faster pictures?

Does a DSLR or a compact digital take faster pictures?

Mark Comon (Vice President, Paul's Photo, Torrance, CA) gives expert video advice on: What is the difference between a "compact" and a "big zoom" digital camera?; Will a DSLR or a point-and-shoot camera give me higher quality photos? and more...

When I take pictures with a digital compact camera, you press the button and the camera takes some amount of time to focus, set the light, set the distance and take the picture. That's shutter lag. On the digital SLR, when I press the button, it takes the picture right away. On my digital compact camera, I have the ability to set the camera to the motor driver action or the sequence mode. One of two things happens when I do that; number one, the camera shifts to a lower picture quality or lower resolution so that it can shoot quickly. Or secondly, the camera fixes the exposure lightness and darkness and the focusing distance on the first picture. Most digital SLR's adjust the light, adjust the distance on every picture and are able to shoot three, five, eight or sixteen frames per second, thereby getting quick action, fast moving subjects as fast as you can pull the trigger. Your digital SLR will generally take the picture.