Fri Feb 03, 2012 11:28 pm
Yes, I really liked the Canon s95 (~340.00 USD) and the Canon Powershot G6 (Less than $100 used!) for learning how a more complex (full manual) camera worked but still having digital, the hotshoe, etc. I have about 100 GB of Canon G6 photos still sitting around, and they are 10x better than people using similar P&S cameras at the same event (esp low light).
I've since had a Digital Rebel, 20D, 60D, and 7D DSLR body with all sorts of L series lenses (for 500x the price), and learned less than I did with the simpler models.