What camera is amazing for the money and for semi-professional photography?

If I wanted to try and start doing some semi-professional photography, and I only have $600 maximum to spend on a camera and whatnot.what's the best to go with? Nikon? Canon? What specs?
The more information you can offer, the more grateful I would feel.

I think that the difference btw Nikon and Canon is all personal preference. My top of the line Point and Shoot is a Canon and I love it, and everything it does, but my dad got me my first DSLR and he is a Nikon lover, so I have Nikon DSLR. I have no idea what the price range on Canon DSLR's are because I haven't really looked into any of them, but the entry level Nikon's 3000 and 3100 (newer) aren't bad at all with the kit lens right around $550ish depending on where you buy- and sales etc. But I can tell you that the package that Nikon puts together will get you started.

A semi-pro camera like the Nikon D700 or Canon 5D (full frame) and Nikon D300s or Canon 7D (cropped sensor) will certainly cost a lot more than $600.

$600 will barely buy you an entry level camera like a Nikon D3100 or Canon T3

You need to visit the Nikon and Canon websites and make a budget for not only the cameras you need but the lenses as well

If I were in your position, yet knowing what I know about cameras, I would buy a used Canon 20D from a seller who gives you a warranty on it and use the rest of the money to invest in a good lens.

It's not the camera it's the photographer plus lens are more of an investment rather than the camera. NOOB!

Http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10051_10051_275682_-1

Just got this, it's amazing. Especially for a first more advanced camera, the pictures are great. And the price is awesome.

If your going to do semi-professional photography I would recommend buying the cheapest DSLR assuming your shooting digital. Buy the body only. Then spend the rest on a good zoom lens. If the lens is cheep the picture will not look good even with a top end camera. Then when you have 1 good quality lens when you out grow your cheaper DSLR you can step up to more expensive cameras and you already have a quality lens for it. Hope this helps.