Ive really been looking into getting a camera, and unfortuneatly santa didnt bring one Im not looking to spend a lot, but id like to stay around $500. Should i go the SLR route like the nikon d3000 or the canon rebel, or just get a decent digital camera. Ive been taking a lot of pics with the camera that came on my video camera and they are pretty poor quality so im just looking to upgrade. Thanks for the help
If you're going to spend $500 on a camera, get a DSLR. The quality is so much better than a standard point-and-shoot that you'll be amazed. For your budget you'll be best served by picking up something used on ebay. This is a great time of year to do it as people are unloading stuff in place of new gear they got for x-mas. You can pick up a good used D3000 with lens for probably around $300-$350. If you want to bust your budget a bit you may be able to find a D3100, which will do both stills and video.
Just my .02; I got my D3000 for $450 with the kit lens, 18-55, and it would definitely be worth your money since you are looking to spend that much anyway. However, I agree with Justin that if you want to do video at all go for the 3100.
Definitely get a used DSLR (unless video is a major priority). With the money you saved, you can pick up a better than stock piece of glass for it, or have more money to start saving toward a better piece of glass (the kit lenses are alright, but they're kit lenses for a reason...optically they are no where near the best). Quality is about the glass with DSLRs, not the body. Buy one general purpose lens to get yourself started (18-55, 17-50, 17-55, etc.). Learn the ins and outs of the camera, learn to shoot outside of auto and the "scene" modes, familiarize yourself with good composition techniques, and zooming with your feet (you may be forced to some with a "normal" focal length lens), and then you will be much better off than that large majority of entry level DSLR users who never take off the stock lens or leave auto mode. Good luck!
I love my DSLR especially for astrophotography. I set my lens at 18mm, the ISO around 400-800 and since my lens is 18-55mm my aperture at f/5.6 and my shutter speed at 30" and it takes some nice pics just need to get down to focusing better ... here are a few pics with my Canon Rebel XSI.
