heres my theory

200 bucks will get you a good point and shoot camera 2-4 megs

300+ will get you a good quality camera

i opted for a good point and shoot camera for parties and little things like ebay, sony u30

 

Before you buy a camera, figure out what you're going to use it for. If you're only shooting to put photos on the web, grab a used 1 or 2 megapixel camera. You'll save a ton of money and have something to learn on that works just fine. Remember, a computer monitor displays everything at 72 dpi. 1 or 2 megapixels is fine for that.

If you want to print 4"x6" photos, 3 megapixels is about the lowest you should go. You'll even be able to get some decent 8"x10" prints from that with a little work in photoshop.

If you want to do mostly 8"x10" prints and larger, get yourself a 6+ megapixel digital SLR camera like the Canon Digital Rebel or whatever the comparable Nikon body is. Canon and Nikon are the BMW and Mercedes of the camera world. The money you spend getting one of those brands will make life easier down the line if you really get into photography and want to buy more lenses.

I have a Canon EOS D60 and a bag full of lenses. You can see some of my stuff at
http://public.fotki.com/photoben

 

Thanks for all the input guys. The canon a80 is right at my price range ($300). I just had an idea instead of dumping money in my car i would actually put it into good use and get a camera.

My goal is to use the camera to take good quality pictures. Im not going to use it at college party's (fu AF ) So what is just as good as the a80 but possibly a better buy for my in the price range

 

i got a canon a80 2 weeks ago and i love it

 

I just got the canon for $300 shipped. I cant wait

 

i just got the nikon coolpix 3200 new for $200. more than i need honestly.