[fedordzen]

Get the camera that fits your needs and don't fall for all the marketing hype. I'm assuming you basically need something for quick, no fuss, handheld snapshots with little post-processing (photoshop...etc).
More megapixels does not always mean better--3 megapixels is sufficient for most casual shooters (4x6in photos and sharing on the internet).

Apart from that, it sounds like these are the main criteria you should be spending your money on:
- compact size so you can take it anywhere
- good and fast autofocus
- Image-stabilization, so you don't get blurry images from your hand shaking
- low-light shooting performance
- good and proven processor for accurate color, detail, and depth
- at least 3x optical zoom with slightly wide-angle lower end so you can take handheld shots of yourself with a friend or two in the frame
- good battery life


I've found the compact Canon cameras to be great all-arounders that fit the criteria above. I like the Panasonics for their rich features and Leica lens, but don't like their low-light performance and sharpening algorithms--too watercolor-like. Sigma has the awesome Foveon processor, but is less user friendly. Nikon, Fuji, and Sony are very good too but I find that Sony slightly overprocesses the color to be more vivid than reality which isn't great for those of us with darker complexions.

Basically, if you stick with traditional camera namebrands you probably won't be dissapointed. If the brand also makes refrigerators, microwaves, and paper shredders, it can be a gamble.

Good luck.
-Michael