Best kind of camera?

I am doing a photography course in year 12 at school, and i need a good camera to use. The ones the school provides are Fujifilm finepix s somehting 900? They are quite good, but the lens isnt replacable, so if it gets scratched, you're stuffed. I don't want to pay a stupid amount of money, as it is my last year of school etc, but I would like a semi-decent photography camera, not just a cheap-y 'happy-snap' camera. I am looking to spend no more than about $500? Give or take. Any ideas? Thanks.

Also, yes, I want a digital SLR camera!!

the Nikon D40 is an excellent camera and it fits your bugdet.

Take a look and play with one in a store.

Another one I really like is the Olympus Evolt (E-410).

BTW, any photography class is better than none. :)
Great if it inspired you to forward your interests. Good for you and keep at it! :)

You want digital slr camera ?

try this one
Nikon D40 Buy New: $419.95
http://shopping.edailyshop.com/PhotoandC...

Canon PowerShot Pro Series S5 IS 8.0MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
From Canon
Price: $327.00


The camera is quite easy to use, especially with the use of dedicated buttons such as the movie and delayed exposure functions. The only problem that I have experienced is with the manuals.

In some cases they appear to start in the middle of a process without telling you how to begin. Movie playback comes to mind as one area that I had a hard time with. Still, with patience I have been able to overcome most problems with the manuals.

Wonderful camera overall

http://www.siamwebpost.com/?cat=32

A photography class that starts you out on a digital point and shoot? I wouldn't even waste my time.

For $500, you can have a Nikon D40, an Olympus E410 (maybe even a E510) or a Pentax K100d super, they are all great !

Canon PowerShot A570IS is a perfect choice for you righ now and it's discount here.
http://astore.amazon.com/canon-powershot...

Look at some of the older models of SLR's Canon XT, Nikon D-40 Olympus E-500. they are all about 2 years old and 6-8 MP. Thy should do everything that you need them to do. They wont have Image stabilization or live preview though.

Canon XT is 449
Nikon D40 is 487

Olympus e-510 does have stablilization and a 2 lens kit will run you about 633