Go with Canon, hands down. The powershot series is the absolute best on the market right now for the price/quality ratio. Mine has lasted me nearly three years and the quality is still as good today as it was the day I bought it. And its VERY durable; this camera has been dropped on cement, sat on, stepped on, banged around and it upholds VERY well.

For examples of photos taken with mine, check out
http://aussiestock.zoto.com
http://dontstay.zoto.com