DSLR Opinions/Suggestions

Nikon D3100 is typically around $700 (with 18-55 lens), it is a 14.2 megapixel DSLR. I find it easy to use and capable of great results. Check adorama.com for other DSLRs too.

If you are starting out in DSLR, then it comes down to deciding between Canon and Nikon, for most part..
I bought a Sony Alpha 330 because I had some old Minolta AF lenses, and they are compatible with the Sony Alpha series. I also found a Used Minolta AF 100-300mm Zoom for $60 CDN, about a 1/4th the price of similar lens new.. The Sony would be in the price range you are looking for..

Of course, there are a lot of Nikon and Canon compatible lenses out there, so finding a deal on a lens to suite your need shouldn't be too hard..
I would suggest trying them out in the store, an see which one seems the most user friendly /comfortable to use..
My boss has a Nikon at work and I found it a bit hard to figure things out without a manual..

My $0.02 worth.

The Nikon D3100 and Canon 500D are in you price range, both are really good DSLR cams.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/613613-REG/Canon_3818B002_EOS_Rebel_T1i_500D.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/730210-REG/Nikon_25472_D3100_Digital_SLR_Camera.html

This is a good review on both of these DSLRs.

http://www.youtube.com/user/DigitalRevCom#p/u/80/WGZwk9YgeKg

It all comes down to picking Nikon or Canon. Personaly I have a Olympus E-PL2, it's a Mirco 4/3 format camera. It's smaller and more compact. I like the portability over a full format DSLR.

I use a Rebel Canon T1i camera. I love it and it works great. It's around $700. I'd follow the link others have posted. They have good reviews. But the key point of taking pictures isn't just the camera itself. They say a picture is 50% Camera and 50% user. When you make your choice I'd recommend the following links to help you take clears, sharper images.

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/tips
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/

These webpages have helped me understand a lot about photography. Their tutorials and guilds will help you photography (If your unfamiliar with DSLR's) and get outstanding results.

I think everyone knows this, but it's worth mentioning none the less; The most basic way to tell camera quality (ideally, in relation with model), is by the number of digits used in the model. Speaking from the Canon brand, the most amateur-friendly SLR models are the EOS 4-digits which would only be the EOS 1000. A casual photographer would usually get a 3-digit model such as the EOS 500D, or the EOS 600D - which applies to the lower bracket of your budget. But since you have the budget for it, I would suggest choosing from Canon's Semi-Pro line or better known as the EOS 2-digits which are 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, and 60D.

From my personal point of view (as a casual travel photographer), I would suggest Canon's award-holder, the 40D. With good natural lighting, you can get the best photo regardless of how the machine is only 10.1 MegaPixels which is relatively low, even compared to the 3-digit models. But once you get to know the power of your machines, you will see that when it comes to the Semi-Pro to Pro lines, quality lies beyond MegaPixels, and you start to consider things such as the processors in the machine such as the one in 40D which Canon boasts and brags with up to today.

I do highly suggest the 40D. You can see some sample shots of mine (the theme of which is Rural Street Life), you can see a couple in my DeviantArt http://iwannabegodzilla.deviantart.com/

Well whatever you do, DO NOT GET Canon 50D. ;)

I'd just like for you to note this particular statement:

" Beauty is in the eye of the beholder ".

This applies greatly in photography. No matter how advanced your camera is. As long as you don't know perspective, lighting, rule of thirds, ISO and lastly shutter speed handling then your camera may it be a point and shoot or SLR will be for naught. But you'll eventually learn majority of those along the way. I have a friend photographer who uses a Canon 350D and by far that camera is her partner. She takes shots so awesome that she is now one of the famous fashion bloggers here in Philippines

Now going back on getting a camera. You may wanna check this site:
http://www.dpreview.com/
That place holds all the information you need in any camera that was released in the market.
Take your pick there, check the specifications, performance etc. That's the site that I used to pick my camera. By far i'm now with my Canon 500D and loving it. Also do get a tripod immediately. It's a must if you ask me.

As my friend adviced me at the time I bought my DSLR, I give you the same advice: why don't you look for a used prosumer camera instead of a new entry level one?
As Rochefort said, beauty is in the eye of the beholder so you don't need the last sparky camera, instead you would like a camera that you will be able to grow with, so I would suggest you to look for a used Canon 50D (or 40D too, she's my partner and I'm very satisfied, although is a bit bulky and heavy since she has a magnesium alloy body instead of ABS) or a Nikon D90 or similar (I'm not very knowledgleble in the Nikon field).
The main difference I recognised between the two brands, controls apart, is that Canon cameras cost more than Nikon's counterparts but the lens are cheaper than Nikon's.
It's up to you, http://www.dpreview.com/ will give you a lot of information in order to decide for your first camera.

I´ve used the last 1 1/2 years a Nikon D5000.
Sold this one and since today i use a Canon EOS 550D

The first question is to choose between one of this brands in the DSLR range.

Both brands deliver good quality. But i think the Nikon Bodies have more quality than the Canon ones.

I will post a few shoots tomorrow after a round through bavaria ^^

Since you're from Texas, check out some pawn shops. There are excellent deals and you can haggle with prices and test out what works for you. My fiance does warehouse and it's insane what kind of nice things people bring in.

I ended up getting a Lumix LX5 and it does everything I need it to. It was a very pricey purchase, but can't see myself managing several lenses and it's small size allows me to keep it hidden (I've had my belongings stolen enough times..)

D3100, or D5100 if you can stretch to it. Canon equivalents if you like them better.

People will tell you to look at used prosumer cameras, but it's not worth it. While they're tougher and have more controls, you make great sacrifices in sensor performance in almost all of them. The new $800 D5100 absolutely blows away my two-year-old $1800 D300s, which is actually due for replacement but is still a current model.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll probably head over to Best Buy or maybe Fry's and get my hands on different cameras suggested and see which ones I like best.

what is 500D? some 15 megapixel camera? get 550D. its the best for budget. even if you are low on budget, the cheapest u can ever get is 550D. 600D is just 550D with swivel screen thing. Go get 50mm f/1.8 lens too!!!!!