This is our second foray into digital. The first, at $200 & 2 yrs ago, was only slightly satisfying. The camera got dropped & we've been snapping away with the cracked front glass (I think the lens must be okay) and surviving with only some fuzz on each photo'sbottom left , argh

I started at Consumer reports who had an article which recommended CasioZ750, KodakV550, CanonSD450, PanasonicDMC-FX8. I have bought the panny, but am having second thoughts.
This forum seems like a good place to research.