Okay, already, INW, here's something a bit more helpful!
PC Magazine did a review in Dec 2000 (which means it was actually written in Aug/Sep) and recommended the Olympus 3030 but it was pricey then at £660 + VAT. It might have come down, or there might already be a A or B model 'cos that's the way these things go. Click this link for that review.
http://www.zdnet.co.uk/pcmag/labs/2000/12/dc/02.html
Just reading the review will help you form your own opinions about what is important to you.
There's an ad in today's paper for a "half" price sell off of a Fuji FinePix 2200 by Dixons at £175 inc VAT. Its got 2.2 MPixels which is good but I would worry that the tiny lens isn't going to let in much light.
I still love my two and a half year old Olympus 1400 (pixels) but it's big and I wish I could take pictures in quick succession. There is a 5 second or more delay between clicking the shutter and the camera being ready to take the next picture. As soon as I had bought it, Olympus brought out a model which could take 3 or more pictures in quick succession. More memory, I guess. Optical zoom is the thing to go for. I can see little virtue in digital zooms of up to x20 as you forfeit much resolution
The pace of development in this technology is fierce. Two years on, your treasured possession will be well obsolescent.
There is something to be said for buying your first one cheap while you get used to it so that you are better able to judge what to spend your big bucks on if that day ever comes.