Digital cameras: not original - but still need help deciding what to buy

not original - but still need help deciding what to buy

Hi, I am a senior in high school and i've had a mild interest in photography for a number of years. now though I'm looking to get a little more serious...not slr serious, but something I own that will give me some inspiration. My old camera broke, and right now I've been using our sony DSC-S75 (probably hasn't been manufactured for a couple years). I am very open to suggestions, as I said before, I haven't owned anything very complicated so Im not completely sure what i want, mostly im looking for something that can inspire me, and Ill adapt to it. I think 3 mp is enough for me, for sizing, I find our old camera very manageable, its around 444 grams (15.7 ounces) 125 x 52 x 65 mm(4.9 x 2 x 2.6 in), so around that or less, and very possibly much more if you'd recomend it. $300's a good price, maybe like around the 2-350 price range. Also looking for a fun amount of manual features.

I've spent a couple nights looking around, and right now I'm thinking
Cannon Powershot S2 IS
and the Olympus Camedia C770

wow, that was long, anyways, wondering if anyone had any comments for me?