I'm a beginner photographer and looking for a camera?

i now have a high end olympus. however its more of a fun night out camera then one that could be used to get photos published. I had some of my pictures sent into a mag by a sponsored buddy of mine. so before i can get published i dont need a camera with all the bells and whistles, just the basics with a burst shot capability. I would also like an auto focus. if you could recomend a camera that would be great.

i now have a high end olympus. however its more of a fun night out camera then one that could be used to get photos published. I had some of my pictures sent into a mag by a sponsored buddy of mine. so before i can get published i dont need a camera with all the bells and whistles, just the basics with a burst shot capability. I would also like an auto focus. if you could recomend a camera that would be great.

In response to the first answer, thank you, and i have already had training in focus, appature, even darkroom production. im moving to digital for mags a wanted to know what would be a good camera to start is.

I'd recommend buying a Digital SLR, as you will learn a hell of alot about photography by owning one of these. Any of the following cameras would suit you, they're all 10 MP apart from the Nikon D40 which is 6MP. You could pick up one of these off ebay for a decent price.

1. Canon EOS 400D
2. Nikon D40X
3. Sony Alpha A200
4. Olympus E410
5. Nikon D40

They are all adequate for your needs, but I've put them in order of preference.

Also, if you want your pictures published, some companies have specific requirement as to the camera you use. Getty Images, who are the leading stock image provider in the world have the following requirement:

"If you are shooting on a 35mm digital camera it must an approved camera from this list: Nikon D200, Nikon D2X, Canon EOS 30D, Canon EOS 5D, Canon EOS 1D MK 11, Canon EOS 1Ds, Canon EOS 1Ds MK 11. All medium format backs (e.g. backs by Phase One and Leaf etc) produce sufficiently high quality images to be accepted by us."

Nikon D50 seems to fit into ur desires,, i started with that one and i still have it and love it<3 of course now i know most of its tricks and what not and it does have auto focus... but question, why would u want auto focus if ur learning? u learn better without the AF function jajaja but w.e u can turn it off.. thats what i do at least

GLuckkkk