Which is the best digital camera (not the SLR type) to buy in terms of a reliable brand, features and price?

Am looking to pick up a digital camera and want to know the best brand to buy, in terms of features and reliability. Could someone tell me the ideal pixels to go for as I have been informed that the file size of 10MP cameras are huge and it is a waste of money to invest in them 7.1 MP suffices for normal use. Am looking for a high optical zoom but still want the camera to be compact. Please advise brand and model number if possible.

Surely most people don't need 8 megapixels, but the camera I recommend has 8, at 4X optical zoom. Battery life is above average, and takes AA rechargeables. Also has manual controls aside from auto. Website dpreview.com has Beach Camera selling it at $185- So are you overpaying for 8 megapixels, which you may not need? No, because the over all camera I'd say is definitely worth $200 or less.
I don't know what price range you're looking at but my camera gives me excellent 8X10 prints. It's 6 megapixels, 12X optical zoom, image stabilizer, has manual controls and comes with battery charger. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H2.

I did a lot of research and reading, debated on getting an SLR and ended up getting the Canon PowerShot S3 IS. I am very very happy with it. I get really great pictures, and it has an awesome zoom. Best you can get on a non SLR. They have a new S5 IS coming out if you want to spend the extra money. I haven't looked into the extra features and whether or not I would think it would be worth the extra money. You can compare the both on amazon.com.

Vintage Music and Sadiqua have both recommended excellent cameras that are classified as compact cameras, but they might not qualify as "compact" in your mind. If they are small enough for you, by all means ignore the rest of my answer.

There are two more super-zoom cameras that come to mind. The Canon Powershot TX1 and Nikon Coolpix S10. Neither one of them will rival the image quality of the others' recommendations, but that are a lot smaller and the perfomace is adequate for some.

You can look near the bottom of this chart for dimensions. You can also click on "Our In-depth Review" for all but the new S5-IS, which we can assume will be as good or better than the S3-IS.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_...

I'd check further into the brand Olympus. This is coming from someone who's tried a lot of cameras, but doesn't know a lot about them. Compared to the other ones I've tried. The Olympus ones are great quality and never ware out. 7.1 MP would be worth it if you got this camera.

canon
any of them

my suggestion
go to yahoo shopping
digital cameras
digital camera GUIDE
be sure to check titles on the left side
the guide should answer your questions

I love the Canon Powershot A570 IS. You should definitely include it in your shortlist of cameras to try.