Best Beginners Camera?

Hey everyone whats up
just joined the site and i love it but i've already got some questions, so here they are.Im 16 years old and i am interested in photography, so i went out and bought a canon point and shoot digital camera and it was absolutely great. So, once i decided that i liked taking pictures, i wanted to move up in the ranks of the camera world and buy a new camera. But, as i began looking, i began wondering.
Questions were coming out of the wood work so i figured id ask the experts(thats you guys)
My biggest question would be this: As a beginner in the world of photography, what would be the best camera for me? I'm not looking to spend thousands of dollars right yet but i was looking for something more like $300.00.
Any info would be terrific and i look forward to seeing the responses, thanks!

Walmart has a new Olympus E 420 for $350.
But if your max limit is $300, any used dslr would probably be the best.
Pretty much most recent entry level dslr is fine for learning about photography. I'd probably go that route. Check out the sell section here and see what cameras are going for what price and go from there, I'd say anything from Canon Rebel XT and up for the rebel series or Canon 20D and up for the xxD series should be fine to learn photography with.

My ten cents 10101010 is it must be a dslr ....so you have to save up a bit because 300 probably is not going to get what you and want and we all want ... you shooting..... sometimes with crap in your hand it is hard to feel inspired right? SAVE get a great camera.... because as soon you get all settled in with the one you like they will switch it all up .... Brand whore says go Canon .... lenses and all that crap the bill just gets bigger ..... Stack all the money and spend it on photo equipment **** rent, water, gas, just camera **** ...It is a bulletproof plan right????? That is free advise from Twist's-half-ass magnt.

Also consider the Nikon D40.

I started a few years back on a canon rebel xti I and it was the best camera I could have started on. I was able to learn so much about the technical side of taking photos because it was a dslr. Point and shoots just don't allow you to be creative with your photos like a dslr will. Just my opinion though

If you're looking for a Canon DSLR, you'll have to look at used equipment. Right now, the lowest priced Canon DSLR is the XS at $450 (with the kit lens). Here's some used options under or around $300:

10D - $254 - http://www.adorama.com​/US%20%20%20%20368073.​html
20D - $299 - http://www.adorama.com​/US%20%20%20%20366877.​html
XT - $324 - http://www.adorama.com​/US%20%20%20%20368145.​html
XT - $324 - http://www.adorama.com​/US%20%20%20%20365848.​html

But note that none of those seem to come with a lens.

With Canon's xxD series "prosumer" cameras I would not go below a 20D. They are good camera.

If you want a Rebel (I still have my XTi, great little cam) the XT or XTi I a good choice. Personally I would skip the Rebel XS unless you need a warranty. The XTi has more [Important] features then the XS which is really stripped down.

white chocolate wrote in post #9317923
As a beginner in the world of photography, what would be the best camera for me? I'm not looking to spend thousands of dollars right yet but i was looking for something more like $300.00.

A good second digital camera in the US $300 price range would be the Canon SX120 IS. Its capabilities are enough to be useful, and it has the advantage of using readily-available AA batteries.

From time to time, some mail-order houses will sell refurbished cameras that come near your price range. Refurbished DSLR's can be affordable ways to get involved in a higher level of photography.

As a beginner, realize that experience counts more than equipment. This forum is full of messages from people who have spent thousands of dollars on cameras and lenses, only to find that equipment is more difficult to operate than they expected. That's one reason to spend more time learning the rudiments of photography with an advanced compact camera, so you're prepared when you have the means to afford a DSLR. Even the most expensive equipment on the market can't perform miracles if you're not ready to use it.

While I agree with the first part, I disagree with the last, & think that a Dslr makes all the difference. At least seeing exactly what was going on in the frame did for me & encouraged me to pursue photography.

Yes, they expect everything to be done for them so they can get shots like the football Canon ads. Like P.T. Barnum said, there's one born every minute.

I agree with usukshooter & recommend a used 20D which is within your budget. I still use one, & for me, light is more important than the equipment used to get the shot. When you can get shots like this every time, it might be time to think about upgrading the kit lens which isn't all that bad at f/8-11.

holy moly
thanks for all the info guys, i really appreciate it.

i guess 300 wouldnt be max but $450. is pushin it.
After reading all this i think i have a few ideas and tons of options to persue.
But i have one last question, the 20d and the dslr do have lenses available to upgrade correct? I.E. later down the road i could buy better lenses correct?

All dslr's accept various lenses in the Canon EF or EF-S mount (Canon 20D and later), so you can select from the hundreds of lenses available to upgrade later on.

white chocolate wrote in post #9321853
holy moly
thanks for all the info guys, i really appreciate it.

i guess 300 wouldnt be max but $450. is pushin it.
After reading all this i think i have a few ideas and tons of options to persue.
But i have one last question, the 20d and the dslr do have lenses available to upgrade correct? I.E. later down the road i could buy better lenses correct?

Canon has about 65 current production different lenses that will all fit a 20D. They range from the $100 EF 50/1.8 II to the $12,000 EF 800/5.6L IS USM.

I agree with the above posters suggesting you search and find a used dSLR camera, preferably one that is available with a 'kit' lens like the EF-S 18-55 IS.

I find almost all P&S cameras cumbersome to use, even the more advanced ones with manual controls. The vestigial viewfinders are terrible, and composing with an LCD is to me very counterproductive to seeing the photograph.

If you can find and swing a used 20D that would be fabulous, but a used XT or XTi would be very, very good too.

I think a used DSLR is the place to start, since you'll be able to grow with it and can sell it later for about what you paid for it. If $300-450 is your budget, you can probably find a used 20D, XT, or XTi body for about $250-300, and a used 18-55mm IS lens for another $100. You might also find a new Rebel XS + 18-55mm IS lens kit for $450 or so.

I owned a Rebel XT and took a bunch of pics with it. It was small and I wanted more, so I bought a 20D (used of course). Both of these cameras served me well whether it was shooting wildlife or sports.
I moved to a 30D, then 40D which I still use.

I think you would be happy with one of the Rebel series (XT and up). But the 20D or the 40D will be noticeably better as far as feel and a few more features.

Don't forget, once you get a body, lens fever will strike big time!

10D and 300D go for buttons on Ebay these days and are both great cameras to learn with.