The king of all compact digital cams is Canon PowerShot G12 and nothing can beat it in image quality in this category. But it is expensive and very limited zoom.
If you need medium zoom with top image quality then go for Panasonic Lumix FZ-35K (FZ-38 in Europe). Don,t go for its newer model which is FZ-100 as image quality is not as good as FZ-35K.
If you require ultra zoom with good image quality then Canon PowerShot SX30 IS is the choice.
Canon S95 is very good in low light photography if that is what you would be shooting.
Sony HX100V is the new entry in the competition and looks impressive but nothing really from Nikon is this category that can compete above cams.
I personally own Canon G9, Panasonic FZ35-K and Canon EOS Rebel T2i. For me if there is anything under DSLR that gives maximum Manual control then that is FZ35-K. I have uploaded some Panasonic FZ35-K images in Photography thread.
I hope it helps.