A 500$ camera that can get me professional-like photos?

Which brand should I choose Canon, Nikon or Sony and why? I'm planning for a road trip across Egypt and I want a camera that would serve such a hard job and would help me through competitions…

I'd choose a Nikon. But that's just my opinion. You can get the same results with a Canon, Pentax, or Sony.

Two things you don't understand. Professional cameras start at about $3,000 and go up. No $500 camera will have the technical quality of a professional camera - it doesn't happen.

Second, what you call "professional-like" isn't about the camera, it's about your skill with the equipment you have. A "professional" is a person who does photography for a living. I did it for many years but that didn't make the best or even close. What it did do was give me the skills to take photos that others will look at. So what does this mean? Well it means if you don't have the skills to make excellent photos it doesn't matter what camera you have, you won't get the results you're looking for. If you do have the skills then you should be able to make nice photos with a $100 point and shoot - get my meaning.

It's not about the equipment… It's about you.

Put entry level camera models on pieces of paper and put in a hat and draw one out. Buy that one.

I'd choose Pentax (making SLRs before any of the others), but that's not the point.

You can't get a professional camera for $500, but you CAN afford an entry-level DSLR with 18-55mm (3x) zoom.

Just find a dealer, handle them, and choose the one that feels best to you. How good the photos are, depends on how much time and effort you're prepared to put into learning how to use it.

A Pentax K-50 with 18-55mm WR lens for about $547 would probably get you the best durability in a DSLR for close to your budget.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...amera.html
The Nikon P7800 for about the same price is a premium compact that should give you a good balance of capability, compactness, and durability.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...amera.html
Whatever you get, do get a good padded case for it.

Canon T3 is a good buy
http://www.amazon.com/...004J3Y9U6/

or the Nikon D3100
http://www.amazon.com/...003ZYF3LO/

both fit your budget

Pentax makes great cameras.

I would agree with the better environmental-sealed Pentax for a road trip in desert countries.

In good light almost any camera can take quality photos.

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