Photography tips and discussion

Hey guys, I am also looking to get a new camera and I could use some opinions. My budget is around $500 and I have been looking at all types of cameras, these two specifically:

Canon Powershot S3 IS
For me, pros:
-12x zoom!
-Price is really nice $350 (maybe S4 is coming out soon?)
-Features are good enough for me
Cons:
-Nicely built but bigger than I prefer
-I hate small LCD screens (2")
-(Read that) images are soft

Canon Powershot G7
Pros:
-I love the built!
-Compact with ALOT of features
-10MP!
-6x zoom is pretty good
-Bigger LCD (2.5)

Cons:
-Have read conflicting reviews ?
-(Read that) no grip, hard to hold single-handedly without touching a button
-(Read that) indistinct half press point, hard to focus;
-Bit pricey? around $500.
-(Read that) battery is not great

You might say that now that I have a pro/con list I should be able to make my decision but I still don't really know. As of now, I've actually held the S3 in my hand, but not the G7 yet, apparently BestBuy doesn't carry it (Our store at least). I'd really like to hear especially if someone hear owns either to tell me their opinion of it. I've read a lot about the G7 and people being disappointed at its lost of some features (RAW, swivel screen, remote, etc.) but I'm not a professional photographer, so it's okay. I haven't had any previous G series anyways. In fact my last camera was a Powershot S410 lol.

And if anyone can recommend me any others, I'm still keeping an open mind.
I prefer Canon, because that's really all I've ever used, but hey, I'm up for something new.

I'm no pro, please don't go too techie on me

Jam it back in, in the dark.