In my opinion, if you're going to shovel out the money to get a digital camera, you only have a couple of real choices.
(Sorry, I'm a camera snob.)
As a photographer, I have been asked this many times - and my other photographer friends do agree with my recommendations.
The BEST camera for your money is a Canon Powershot A95. Canon, by nature, has been around longer than other companies making these digital cameras.....you will get BETTER quality lenses, ranges, zooms, etc. for the price you pay.]
REVIEW:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_.../a95_qtvr.html
(But if you find another Canon you like better......you can always trust Canon, so I give them a decent thumbs up, too. Nikons can be trusted as well....especially the Nikon Coolpix cameras - they're all really good.)
Another camera I really like (and I feel bad recommending a Sony, but this one has truly passed the test with high ratings across the board from camera critics) = Sony DSC-W1.
REVIEW:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/w1.html
For my most professional pictures, I use my Nikon SLR....but in my purse, I carry my Powershot A95 everywhere!!!!