Manipulations recomendations?

[Volkswillow]

My Boyfriend is looking to set up a "Automotive styling consultancy" business (nope, I don't know, either) He's looking for a camera that takes pictures with a high enough res. to stand up to a fair bit of manipulation, but that's small enough to take anywhere, and looks professional (but not 'photographer' professional)

He keeps asking me which one I think he should get, but I don't know how high res. is high enough, or any of the other things that need to be taken into consideration.

So.....Any recommendations for a good (but basic) camera which takes images big enough to modify considerably, looks good and is fairly cheap?

[Kalfireth]

How about the Canon Ixus series? They're incredibly small and sleek, but are capable of quite high resolution images and the optics are good as well.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canonsd400/

There's an example :)

[tim11]

Any recommendations for a good (but basic) camera which takes images big enough to modify considerably, looks good and is fairly cheap?
The idea of good look, professional and what is 'fairly cheap' is different from one person to the next. And also there is CHEAP in term of value for money....
Will the photo be used for wallpaper size poster? If the largest print is around 14x11" then a 5 Megapixels should be enough for the job.
I love the SD400 but [personally] I'd class it in the lifestyle pocket camera category; other people may have different opinion, of course.

Let me suggest few cameras, all 5MP:

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 (comes in black or silver). A handy value for money photographer's camera. I love this one most because it's the one I have. {bias alert} ;)
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/cameraDetail.php?cam=604

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 (comes in black or silver). Smaller brother to the FZ20 above. Has less functions.
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/cameraDetail.php?cam=680

Canon PowerShot S2 IS. Nice camera though I think it looks somehow gimmicky and looks less professional than the 2 above.
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/cameraDetail.php?cam=718

There will be a learning curve for all these cameras though it won't be much challenge for a keen amateur. The best thing about them is you can use them as point-and-shoot or you can have manual control over them.
Anyway, that's just my own opinion and taste which may not be the same as yours. I suggest you surf around, choose a few cams then go to the shop to have a look and feel them before deciding.