Just because you are a beginner, you don't have to find a camera with training wheels ... those are what P%26amp;S cameras are all about ... the camera decides everything except the composition.
DSLR's on the other hand are fully adjustable, so you are in control, whether they are entry level cameras or $40,000 professional ones.
This is the camera right now that provides the most bang for the buck.
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Digital-18-5鈥?/a>
This and other DSLR's a completely capable of producing professional quality images ... it is up to you to learn how to do just that.Which DSLR camera should I buy (for a beginner)?
Any DSLR is going to offer you high-end features: RAW photo formats (each manufacturer has their own, a few are starting to use Adobe's DNG cross-platform standard), manual focus and exposure, multi-zoned auto-focus and exposure, and various other controls.
The Nikon D40 someone mentioned is a great starter camera, but the standard kit lens is not a image stabilization lens. If you're shakey with a camera, you will learn in time to hold it stable, but time it will take. You should definitely look for a model with a stabilization system... these are excellent today. Canon and Nikon put this in the lens, while a few of the other brands (Pentax/Hoya and Sony, to name two) manage an anti-shake system by moving the image sensor, so it works with any lens. I usually recommend Canon and Nikon (take you pick), but it does look like Sony's in the game for real these days (they bought up the old Minolta-Konica SLR line, but Sony's also a big gun in the camcorder business, so they know their tech).
Going back to Amazon, there's the Canon XS, for just under $500 with an image stabilization (IS) kit lens.. a great value! Like many newer models, this also includes a cleaning system, to help shake dust off the sensor.
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-10-1MP-Digit鈥?/a>
Nikon's answer to that Canon is the Nikon D60, which is similar: 10Mpixel sensor, dust reduction, other great features, including a stabilization lens (Nikon calls it ';VR'; rather than ';IS';):
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-10-2MP-Digit鈥?/a>
Sony's entry in this category is the A200K, with in-camera stabilization.
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Digital-Stead鈥?/a>
You can find full reviews of these, and also read the user-reviews, as they often tell you how people feel a short time after they get their cameras.
Anti-shake technology isn't a miracle cure... it can give you a few extra f-stops, or as many as five, depending on your natural steadiness. If you're shooting at very high speeds, hand shake is usually not a major issue. But you might consider a tripod or monopod to help you out with that shakiness.
For the record, I own a Canon EOS Rebel Xt, a Nikon D70, and a Sony HVR-A1 camcorder, so I'm pretty unbiased.
The Super Steady Shot image stabilisation on the Sony A200 is pretty good, it allows me to capture low shutter speed images. It is built into the camera body, so ANY lens will work with it, unlike the Nikon where you need to buy lenses specific for stabilisation.
The Nikon D40/D40X/D60 don't have an auto-focus motor either, so you may wish to avoid those or you will be stuck in manual focus on the vast majority of Nikon lenses available, especially used lenses.
The Sony A200 is excellent and the price/features ratio is unmatched.
Although the Nikon D40 and Canon 400D Rebel XTi are entry level priced dSLRs, neither have image stabilization. For a maybe $100 more you could get the Pentax K200D with Shake Reduction. I couldn't seem to find the K1000D on Amazon, look at that too. If you can't spend the extra money, you can use a higher shutter speed, a tripod or start meditating 20 minutes per day.
Canon XS, XSi, or Nikon D60.
They all have image stabilization.
Get a tripod if you shake a lot.
Get a Nikon D90 if you need to record movie.
The lens zooms further too.
Canon: XS or XSI
Nikon: D60
All three are great starter DSLRs and come with image stabilization lenses in the kits.
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