If you're after a compact camera, and want the best, take a look at the Leica M8.
Flickr: Camera Finder: Leica: M8
The catch is that it costs a fortune.
M8 10.3MP Digital Rangefinder Camera Body, Black: Amazon.co.uk: Your Store
The good news is there are cheaper Leica cameras, for example:
Flickr: Camera Finder: Leica: D-LUX 3
Better still, skip the top brand name, because Panasonic do compact cameras which have Leica lenses, some of which are almost clones of the cheaper Leica cameras.
For example:
Flickr: Camera Finder: Panasonic: DMC-FS3
You can't go far wrong with that Panasonic.