These three words do not get along quite well, especially if you add 250€ to the picture.
A friend of mine asked me for an advice on which compact camera to buy since -keep this in mind- she wants to start learning about photography.
What? A compact camera for learning? I tried to convince her to change her mind and buy a reflex, but I did no good at all. She wants a compact camera and no chance to spend more than 250€ !
Total chaos.
1) I know nothing about compact cameras.
2) What can you learn if you do not have AT LEAST aperture and shutter control?
3) I cannot suggest anything that does not have decent optical qualities

Now I don't know this girl very well, so I'm not sure how serious she is about learning. but...
- Canon does a few compact cameras with aperture control and that would be awesome, if I liked Canon at all.
- Nikon does robust, techie compact cameras, good for someone who wants to travel with it, but no manual controls
- Panasonic Lumix does the most optically gorgeous compact cameras ever, but no manual controls.

HEEEEP!