Best DSLR camera for beginners?

Hi, I don't want to spend more than $600 and found some deals on Best Buy for Cannon and Nikon cameras. Which one is the best one?

Also, do 18 vs. 24 MP make a difference?

600 $ won't buy a cannon. Maybe a Canon camera.
18 vs 24 MP is a difference of 6 MP

You'll find endless discussions on whether Canon is better than Nikon, but the simple answer is that it probably doesn't matter. You could throw Pentax, Sony, Fuji, Panasonic etc. Into the mix and the answer would be the same - a good photographer can take good pictures with almost anything while a bad one isn't going to be any better just because they've got an eye-wateringly expensive camera.

Does the megapixel count matter - not really. I've seen great pictures taken with a 4 MP camera!

Pentax K-70.

The number of pixels isn't a big deal any more.

Does 18MP vs 24MP make a difference. The simple answer is yes, but really, it depends upon your needs. If you're only making small 4x6 prints, or never cropping, or only uploading to the internet, then there won't be any difference. At this point, the lens that you use will have a much larger influence on image quality than the resolution of the sensor. If you crop heavy, say, for example, you took some soccer shots and wanted to crop in because the players are too small, then having the additional 6MP will be beneficial. Or, if you wanted to make prints larger than 11" x 14", then the higher resolution sensor will be a noticeable benefit.

Keep in mind that having more pixels comes at the expense of having smaller ones. The only way you're going to fit more pixels on the same sensor size is by making the pixels smaller. The smaller the pixel, the more noise you'll get at all ISO settings, and the lower the dynamic range. This is why people who shoot in low light will avoid high-mega-pixel cameras while landscape shooters (who are always at the lowest ISO and therefore don't have to worry about noise) will go with higher megapixel cameras.

For the beginner, it really doesn't matter which camera you go with. As a beginner you probably don't have a real understanding of what types of photos you want to do, plus your preferences will change over time. There really isn't a bad DSLR on the market today, just ones that are better for you. If you're into spots, then go with a Nikon or Canon. If video is super important, then skip the DSLR and go with a mirrorless Sony or Panasonic. If you're shooting in low light, then go with a Pentax DSLR or a Sony mirrorless because both have in-body image stabilization. It's rumored that both Canon and Nikon will be introducing new mirrorless bodies in the next few months and that they'll have in-body image stabilization, too.

There's no "best" DSLR camera. There's going to be one that is best for you, but not necessarily best for someone else. Without mentioning anything about your needs, desires or expectations, it's literally impossible to make any kind of recommendation. And besides, as a beginner, you could blindly just pick one and you'd be happy with it.

If you want more precise recommendations, then you must provide more details about the types of photos that you want to make.

There's no such thing.

The best dSLR for a beginner is the most expensive dSLR that beginner can afford to buy. They're basically all the same anyway meaning all of them are difficult to use if you don't know anything yet. Worse, the cheapest ones, called entry-level, are difficult to use even if you already know what you're doing. That's why, if you can afford to learn photography with an expensive, top of the line, full-frame dSLR then so be it. No one should stop you from doing so.

Canon, Nikon, Pentax: all quality DSLR cameras that with your growing expertise will keep up with your demands. Personally, at this price range, I think the mirrorless (MILC) cameras are a better buy. While dpreview suggests the Canon M100, my preference is the Olympus or Panasonic micro four thirds cameras. I found a used Olympus OM-D M5 for $500 that has served me well. I suggest you read this review to be a better informed buyer.

Cannons are field artillery weapons that have nothing to do with photography.