I can't really advise on compacts, lol I pack a canon 1-D, so I'd say find something that offers an optical view finder, the sunlight issue makes the others a toy. I had a client in the other day with snaps from a fuji compact - I must say the reproduction was great - we printed his pics to an a4 brochure and they were spot on (for a compact).
We have an array of toys at our studio - our latest toys are the HD cameras, but I prefer my older DVCAMS - better lens and ccd's. I was out shooting in Belfast City Centre the night with them, security guards really suck! They stop everything just cause they can!
Lol - I get so side tracked, I should be out in my car taking pics, or at least telling you to buy a fuji or canon, lol.
Get a Fuji - seems cool.