I've been using a Sony DSC-F717 for almost a year now (getting ready to sell it and upgrade to an F828, actually). It's been a GREAT camera that's stood up just about everything Mother Nature has thrown at it and it's taken some of the best shots I've ever snapped through a camera. The reason I bring this up is that the guts behind the V1 are VERY similar. Zeiss optics are quite nice for a fixed lens and the V1 is very intuitive and easy to use. The night shot feature is rather laughable, but neat to have. I haven't shot with a V1 but I have picked one up and the only complaints I had about it are lens capability (not enough optical zoom for my tastes) and size (too small). Again, since the guts between the F717 and V1 are so similar, I feel pretty confident mentioning my joy with the F717 here.
Oddly enough, at my recommendation and one of my friends, my wife bought her boss a V1 just a few days ago for his birthday (new baby coming soon, so new camera). For a nice "point and shoot" with a fair amount of features, it's a really good camera.
I wish I could comment more on the Canons, as they are the love of my life in SLR format and I swear by their miniDV camcorders, but I've had little experience with their digital stills. Pretty much zilch on the Nikon front as well, except for a brief 1 week stint with a Coolpix 900 a few years back. I hated that thing...
