i just recently got a fuji finepix A500 for about $120 CDN.
im by no means a photographer or anything like that, i am the typical holiday/special occasion camera user. but for the price and the quality of pictures it has done thus far, i am more than happy with it.
my sis has an hp or similar specs and my aunt a kodak also of similar spec
and the kodak and fuji pics, looked pretty similar, the hp while still ok was the worst of the 3.
but like i said im no camera expert im just going on my personal experience.
and the fuji A500 for the price, ( was buying one under $200) i think the best choice.