I have a Sony CyberShot. I'm not sure on the pricing since I got it for free (having parents who love to go to the casino has its perks!). I love this camera though. It's small and there are a lot of settings. Uploading pics is easy too.
I had a Sony CyberShot for years and it still hasn't failed me.
However, it's going to be retired soon, and judging from the glowing reviews from the BFF, I'd have to ditto what others have said about the Casio Exilim. Depending where you go, you can get those for less than $200.
Also, if you want some reviews of cameras, visit Cnet.com. That's where I went when I was shopping for a new camera, and that's how I made my decision. Sometimes you can't find the cameras on their lists in the stores, since it seems like the manufacturers are releasing a ton of new models every year, but it's a good place to start.