Based on Experience and other owners of the brands,not SLRs:
Sony: I think they are outsiders too, they have a big brand name and they make digital cameras with plenty of features haven't seen one with a good value (pricy)
Nikon: Great Looking pics, easy to use, good value. I found the pictures very natural, much like Canon cameras.
Kodak: Many might say outsider but I think Kodak is the best point and shoot cameras, they provide great pictures, some better than cannon. And they are considerably cheap compared to the rest.
Canon: Great pictures, easy to use yet usually plenty good manual functions. One of the top contenders definately. Great natural colors.
Casio: I have never liked Casio interms of their Cameras, but my dad convinced me to buy it. Menu a bit difficult than other cameras but Im very satisfied with the overall package of the one I bought.(own Casio EX-Z750)
I think Nikon and Canon provide the overall best cameras with Kodak offering the best Value for money. My Casio is still pretty new and I dont have experience with many other cameras by Casio so I cant rate too much.
PS: I prefer Notebook, the only downside is the price. You have to pay atleast three times the price of a desktop to have equal performance = graphics, speed, memory, storage.