I'm back with yet another question :)

In trying to choose a compact digicam, someone once told me that I should choose a camera made by a manufacturer like Nikon or Pentax, not a film or electronics manufacturer like Kodak, Fuji or Sony. Is this good advice?

THanks again
Debbie

Well, we're talking about digital compact cameras, right? :)
Knowledge about lenses from traditional camera brands is needed but the heart of the digital camera is the electronic sensor and then electronics manufacturers can be good at it. For example, many "real" camera manufacturers use sensors made by Sony originally and then they modify them to have their own settings.
Also, electronics manufacturers can ask prestigious lens makers to help them. You have on the Sony 717 a great lens made by Zeiss, on the Panasonic bought yesterday by Jan it's a fantastic Leica lens etc
I think it's hard to reply to your question. You can have an excellent compact camera from Casio and a bad compact from Nikon. I think it can vary depending on the model... Hence it's good to read the reviews on the specialised sites :)

Olly

Thanks Olly! That makes a lot of sense. Of course, that means the options I have to look at just got bigger LOL not sure if that's good or bad. I'll probably be back to bug you with even more questions now ;)