Point and shoot cheap but outstanding?

Look for a Nikon Coolpix L120 you should find it in the $200 range as it was $225 last year. Good simple long zoom camera.

OP You are never going to find a camera that does everything you want. It will always be finding the best fit soultion and there will be always some drawbacks. #1 generally offers good advice so that model is likely to be a good fit.

Only way to really get better photos, is to learn some things about photography, at the very least best ways to frame photos.

i recently bought a Nikon Coolpix AW100 for just a little over $200 CAD and i was very impressed with it. its water proof, shock proof, and dust proof. it had some great features to play around with like panoramic photos and is very easy to use. image quality was also very good for a small point and shoot. i bought this camera for my recent trip to costa rica (i wanted somthing tough) and i found the only downfall was the zoom, i seen alot of while life and the zoom just wouldn't cut it to get a good photo. but it sounds like you will be using it more for landscape so this shouldn't be a huge issue.

You can find what you want:cheap,easy and working underwater.Simply forget about the latest models.For instance - Pentax WP are good for you,but not the latest,if you find WP60,WP90
you should not pay more then 200 bucks for new.It is simple,works underwater(3 meters),strong
build,shoots nice movies - but works well in good light,you can find them on e-bay,2nd hand shops;Sony made similar camera called TX-5,(looks different) - already replaced by new models,which are out of your budget,it shoots better photos then PentaxWP.
TX5 is smaller and more lady-like,it is touch type(underwater as well!) - if you look for it - you will find it!

I have recently bought this....

http://www.olympus.co.uk/consumer/29_digital-camera_sz-10_24147.htm

Available in the UK for about £120. Incredible bit of kit for the price. Lovely looker - too.
Very little, if anything at all anywhere - comes close for the same price.
Read what the pro's say about it - too....

http://www.steves-digicams.com/camera-reviews/olympus/sz-10/steves-conclusion-158.html

If you are getting a camera with a really long zoom don't forget you may also want some kind of tripod, maybe just a mini one like but it would be rerally useful. A tripod is also handy for night time photography when you don't want to ruin your pictures by using the flash.

Good point raised (re:tripods) from *6.... fowler9.
Mini-tripods have a universal fitting - and can be bought new for about £3 in The UK.
Don't know where you're from - but a currency converter will give you the price in your home town.

I got a Samsung ES78 before I left last August by the way. Absolutely made up with it, it worked flawlessly and did everything I asked it to. Not sure if this model is still available.

A lot of T.T.er's hated the word 'Samsung' when S suggested a couple of models last year.
Personally, I think sSmsung make some superb cameras - with excellent value for money.
Good shout.