I'm looking to replace my old 2MP digicam. I'm a camera moron, so I can't tell snake oil from essential features. I'm told that 5MP is plenty for the amateur, so that's the range I'm looking in.

I know there are a bunch of shutterbugs here, can I start a camera flamewar?

Must haves:

• small (no SLR plz!)


• takes decent pics


• sub $300

Nice to have:

• uses AAs so I'm never stuck with a dead battery/camera


• multishot/continuous mode


• relatively low light photos (longer exposures, ISO something something, duh I'm a camera moron)