Sharpen, reduce noise, in-camera, ugh!

Hi,

I have been online looking at the images from some digital cameras and
reading reviews. Some of the "better" cameras have relatively soft images -
which is explained as being the result of in-camera noise filtering. Some
of the cheaper (and / or more compact) camera images look relatively
sharper - but that is explained as being the result of in-camera sharpening.

This situation discourages me from buying a new digital camera.

I would like to have a camera that does minimal filtering but still saves
images in some low-loss compressed format. I would like to sharpen and/or
reduce noise using image processing programs on my computer - after the
fact, as I choose.

Any ideas, suggested links to information? Can one turn down or turn off
image filtering on any modestly priced compact cameras?

I would prefer a compact or sub-compact camera. I am tired of carrying
around an old SLR.

Thanks,

DaveC