I ended up buying a Fuji f50fd and the Quality and ease of use is amazing it takes great movies and fits in ya pocket. Like most other people if the camera is a burden to carry it will see little or no use but I have found with the Fuji I have taken more pictures and movies than with any other camera that I have owned.A great buy very pleased.
Bilbo.

Sorry if this is a bit late, but www.cameras.co.uk has superb and thorough reviews on just about all digitial cameras, plus some good suggestions on what to get at what price.

Ian

Another, even later post ...

take a look at www.steves-digicams.com

this site does nothing but review digital cameras, with comprehensive reports, sample photos, and a 'best buy' list for each type of camera.

Also food for thought - note the USA prices, they are in the region of dollars for pounds. Even after shipping, and paying VAT, you can save upwards of 25% on the UK price. I've bought and shipped several cameras from Tri State Camera (blatant plug) in New York over the years, and never had any problems.

For what its worth I have just bought an Olympus Stylus 1030SW. Which you can drop from 6 feet, stand on and take under water without any additional case or fuss. Its only thin and the menu system is great, as is the software supplied.
Example. Want to take a pic of a face by candle light or fireworks, or underwater; simply select the appropriate picture from the menu and the camera does the rest, the results are great.
The software allows you to for example, put a title on a picture by typing in a box and then choosing a colour, then placing the text. Example "Happy Birthday" and then print it out. it even has programs for taking pics for use on HD TV's and Ebay. Highly recommended. Bought mine from Dixons online.