[DonC]

Steve:
I second Chuck Brandt's recommendation for the Canon G4 or G5. I shoot a Canon D30 with full up interchangeable lenses etc. and get some really superb results but I've also had a chance to shoot with some of the smaller units and by far the G4 and G5 produce the most detailed shots. Add in the amount of control you can exercise over the camera and I can't find any fault. The full automatic settings even make the photos taken by my brother in law look good and he's a complete zero when it comes to things more complicated than an pencil.
DonC