WEll I have a Fuji Finepix S5600, it is about 2 years old now but takes great pictures and I still use it.
You can get the successor cameras at a good price. They are in between compact digital cameras and full DSLR cameras, all the convenience of a compact but you have all the control of a DSLR, ie exposure, aperture etc...you just can't change the lenses. The later versions of the Finepix the zoom is actually a zoom ring like a zoom lense so you can zoom in very quickly. Also you can select manual focus but on mine it is cumbersome.
The other camera is Nikon P90 which again is a step down from a full DSLR 12 MP all the functionality of a DSLR, just can't change the lenses.
Next is a Nikon D90 that my dad has. That is a DSLR and not cheap but a very good. It's about £800 so probably $800 US.
If you want to get into photography a DSLR is the way to do.
Personally thought I'd go for A Nikon P90 ro Finepix S5XXX series as they are just below an SLR in what you can do but superior to most compact, in your pocket cameras.
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