digi cam dilemma

come monday, i would be attending my 2nd basic photography lesson but i haven't got a camera yet! for the past week,i had been looking at cameras which are semi-manual or prosumer(something between professional and normal consumer usage) class... and after a week long search, reviews and recommendations, i hv narrowed down to the last 2 choice. either the Fuji FinePix E550 or the Konica Minolta Dimage Z20.
the former is an older model(launched july 2004), higher in megapixel(6 megapixel to be exact) and the later, new(launched this year), lower in megapixel(5) and bulkier in size.
i would favour the dimage more coz of its functions but the size is a deterent. user reviews for the camera is good so far. haven't seen a complain abt the set and ratings by users were high.(on a scale of 5, 1 being worse and 5 the best)
the finepix though old, has a better res. smaller in size and lower in price(quoted @ S$460 frm sim lim.) users review noted that there is a slight problem with the lens extending fully but that could be easily rectified. and user ratings are ranged between normal to good.(on a scale of 1-5, 1 being worse and 5 the best)
currently waiting for my brother's friend, MC(who had done extensive research b4 buying his new digi cam recently. and also an expert on digi cam) for advice.
actaully i am really very torn between the 2 coz both are good in their own ways and that's y i need a 3rd opinion b4 buying. hopefully can settle it by tomorrw and test it out on the soccer session in the evening.