I don't know much about cameras and I'm not going to get into a Nikon/Cannon debate, but I bought this camera a couple months back and I notice a huge difference between this camera's pictures and a regular point and shoot.
$305 is a great price for this camera. It is refurbished
As you can see here, the camera costs $350 from the same seller at its own website instead of their ebay store.
Here is a nice review