I wonder if someone could help me with this, I am using the HX9V and have difficulty getting a good shot of the kids indoors, obviously the lighting isn't the best, using the flash produces harsh red-eye but I don't mind that because it can be removed in post, but I find the camera takes too long to focus and take the shot, does anyone have this camera who can offer some advice?

It doesn't have a person mode per se, but a background de-focus and in auto mode (face detection), which I do not like using because it can produce some awful results!

Any tips?