[sassan]

If you need a camera without much future add ons and want to keep it (Price will drop and will not hold like Canon) consider Olympus E 410 that here with 2 quality lens comes under US$ 600 (Brand new).

Your other really good option is to go for Samsung K10 (under US$450 sometimes even 399$ and because of arrival of K20 may even be found cheaper brand new) which is the exact everything (Minus kit lens) of Pentax K10 (As dealers have hard time to sell this one because people are crazy for major brand names, (Not to say Samsung is a small name but they represent better in TV than camera world), this one goes much cheaper than its more famous cousin) that is one very high end camera body with weather seal, offered only on Canon's top line of 1D bodies, etc etc and takes all old non AF & AF (K mount and not screw 42mm mount) Pentax lenses that are a bargain for the quality. Not to mentioned that Sigma and Tamron lenses with these mount type also go significantely cheaper than Canon or Nikon as not many people buy them and therefore dealers have problem to sell and won't refuse any good offer so more power to buyers.

Remember you can find a very good second hand camera if you are very lucky or know the ins and outs of the seller but otherwise you may find yourself buying someone else headache & trouble and with digital electronic devices that just like a normal light bulb have a certain number of shutter click, etc etc use, and a fragile, easily irreversably damagable sensor, I prefer the peace of mind that one year manufacturer warranty offers and a new item for limited use and limited budget.