If you would let go of price just a bit I think you'd do better and have a lot more choice. Flash refresh is not going to be great on any consumer camera so let go of that one too. There may be small differences between them but the big jump comes when you get to a DSLR. Also, a bigger speed issue is how fast the camera writes to the card and is ready for another picture. This is even bigger than the flash issue. Again, most consumer cameras, especially ones in your low end price range are slow here.

I have had many digital cameras and my small, pocket camera is currently a Canon S400 (elph) which is a nice little rig.

But, believe it or not, there is a rather large downside to small size and low weight: camera shake. Few talk about it but it's a real issue and it's true: the smaller, lighter cameras tend to take blurrier pictures because there is not enough mass and weight of the camera to hold steady as the shutter is pushed. My heavy, big 300D is steadier in the hand than any elph.

i do like Canon cameras though and I'd consider a used S30 or S45 (not newer, those models are best in class) or an A95 or something in that range that takes CF cards (or, if you like smaller media, models that take SD cards).

I've taken some great pictures with an S30 and it was one of Canon's most popular cameras in its time. If you can find a high quality used one I'd go for that. Battery lasts a long time although recovery after shooting is not any faster (or slower) than other cameras in its class.

The menuing system on Canon cameras is excellent and the build quality on the models I've mentioned is first rate. My last camera before my current 300D was a Canon G3 and it was incredible. If you would let go of size as a requirement I'd go for a used one of those, great camera and big enough to be steady in the hand.

Good luck, let us know how the chips fall.