which to buy?

First, I think the major review sites are pretty objective. I think they make a serious attempt to avoid being influenced by their advertisers (unlike a lot of magazines).

Second, most digital cameras are capable of making some really fine photographs, as long as you stay within their design limits.

Because cameras are so similar you might expect disagreement between reviewers. Maybe one reviewed Camera A when he was having a bad day and another reviewer just found that Camera A fit his hand better than others. That sort of thing could cause differences of opinion.

All that said, I'd look closely at the Fuji for the simple reason that Fuji has developed a special CCD sensor that does a very good job of taking excellent pictures in lower light conditions. That can mean a very nice picture using ambient light rather than flash which can often be harsh.

Pne other thing to bear in mind if you buy a Sony is that you will be limited to their memory sticks. It has always puzzled me why Sony decided to branch out in to a format that can only be used on their cameras. You would have thought that the Japanese would have learnt a lesson after the VHS/Beta wars.

Every time I see someone considering a Sony I feel compelled to warn them about proprietary technology. Sony has an " Alexander complex " when it comes to their own ways of doing things, which can make storage and transfer of photos a much bigger issue than with what I call more mainstream manufacturers like Canon. SD cards, for me, have become the standard means of moving files from camera to PDA to laptop. One can always purchase a very cheap and light card reader, but why not pick technology which shares the same storage technology when SD is so widely available around the world?

Also, pay close attention to batteries technology. Know how you are going to recharge before you purchase the camera.