Simple, high quality digital camera?

I've been doing some research on a good digital camera for about a week now, one that's close to a point-and-shoot, but honestly produces crisp, high-quality photos. I'm looking for something along the lines of a Nikon Coolpix-type camera, in terms of simplicity, but I was wondering if there's a digital camera like that that could take very, very good photos whose subjects may mostly be of portraits of people and travel pictures. I'm not too particular with an all-around camera, meaning one that can adjust perfectly to all types of picture-taking conditions, but I'm leaning heavily on a camera that does its job perfectly under ideal weather and lighting conditions. Above all, it's the ease of use and crisp quality that I'm looking for. I hope there are seasoned camera owners out there who might be able to suggest something. Thanks a lot for your time.

P.S. Something in $200-$300? Thanks again.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.asp...

$149.99 After $50 Off
Kodak ZD710 7.1MP
10x Optical 50x Total
Image Stabilization
Video Capture Mode
ISO up to 3200

$149.99
Item # 281650
Shipping & Handling: $9.99 *
It comes with 2 gb memory card
price is only till May 2, then it goes back up.

Kodak is the most user friendly of all the cameras with their menu. It has a faster lag time of taking pictures. Less problems compared to Coolpix users.

Panasonic is more sturdier, I had a Lumix DMC FS3. It fell twice from a dinning table and it is still working fine (had for 1 1/2 years now). If it was a Coolpix, most likely I would have lens error with the first time it dropped. But just in case, since you're goint to travel, get an extended warranty for your digital camera. Here's a site you can see on the Panasonic.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Panasonic...

I love my panasonic. I have an fz8 that has 10x optical zoom but there are some great cheaper models around too. Panasonic use leica lenses so in terms of lenses you can't get better. They have a simple mode that you just turn it on and pres the button to shoot as well as full manul modes and a variety of modes in between

Canon 7.0 megapixel.

Peace
:-)