Don't forget that the rubber can make a big difference. I bought some cheap, 'soft' pads a long time ago, and was very surprised about the difference.

I'm a Shimano guy, and I can't complain about any of the dual-pivot models. I can't tell the difference between my 7700s and 7800s.

That said, my short friend has very small, Campag-equipped bikes, and they both brake better than my bikes. This is either the brakes, or the tiny head-tubes (?).