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Definitely Fuji or Olympus - I've one of each and they produce excellent photos. With the Olympus I've found that if it's on high optical zoom it will produce somewhat of a grainy photo (overcome during editing process). With the Fuji there is the same problem, with the addition of the flash. I generally have it disabled all of the time, and use natural lighting as the flash can often cause the light to reflect if there is a white/light surface. For some reason, the Olympus doesn't have this problem!

Generally when you buy an SLR (such as a Canon 40D), all you will get is a body - no flash, lense or storage. For example the 40D retails at around €1100, then you'll be required to obtain a lense (Sigma 30/1.4 lens is what has been recommended to me) - it can amount!

I personally would recommend a budget Compact SLR, like the Fuji S5800fd which retails over here at around €200, or the S9600 (not sure of RRP). Unless you plan on getting into photography as a serious hobby I'd recommend the S5800 to begin with, as the images are pretty good with a high MP setting - and it has that all important stabiliser which means there no need for a tripod it's all point and shoot. I've been considering buying one myself, as generally SLR's are heavy and clumsy, the S5800 is light and compact it's technically not classed as SLR as the lense isn't separable from the body.

Will put up some sample photos when I get a chance

Hope this helps.