I second both of those websites. Both feature amazingly in-depth reviews of cameras.
My first digital camera was an old Casio several years ago. Apart from being fixed focus and only VGA resolution, it also had a voracious appetite for AA batteries. I didn't keep it long.
In June I bought a Canon Powershot S300, which is slightly larger than their original Digital Ixus. Great camera and the 2.1MP resolution was sufficient for most applications, including 4x6 on an ink jet on photo paper. Recently I sold that and bought a Canon Powershot S40, which offers 4MP and fully manual controls (if you want them). Different form factor to the S300, but still very small. So far I've been very impressed.
A word of advice - if you are buying mail order in the US, beware of the "bait and switch" east coast camera dealers. They usually have the "too low to believe" prices. I can recommend <a href="http://www.bhphoto.com" target="_blank">www.bhphoto.com</a> and although their prices aren't the lowest they are reputable.