What camera is recommended for beginning photographers?
How many megapixels? And does it matter?
Cannon vs. Nikon
Cannon coolpix
Http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/dslr/d3100/
If you wanna commit to it I'd recommend a Canon Rebel (there's plenty of different kinds, ask the worker at your store for the strengths and weaknesses, as well as which one is more cost convenient for you). My friend loves using it over his Nikon, even though they are both very capable cameras.
It is definitely an arguable question, Both have their advantages. I have heard that Nikon lenses and accessories are generally dearer, however don't count on that statement, and i've also heard that canon in general are easier to use. I have had a canon 1100d with 18-55mm lens for 1&1/2 years now. It's been a fantastic camera plenty mp's, and it only cost me $390 at the time. You can get them for less than that though. I know lots of people with nikon too, and they're happy too. Just do abit of research to help decide what features you would rather.
Be careful when talking to sales people at camera shop, they can have bias toward certain brands just because what they want to sell.
Start with a compact camera. Get the one with the least number of megapixels. Yes, you read that right. Manufacturers jam way too many megapixels on sensors in order to impress naive buyers who think that it's important. In reality, it results in sensors that do quite poorly in low light and big files that fill up your hard driver more quickly. 10 megapixels is more than adequate in a compact camera.
The brand doesn't matter. They're all good. Get one that feels right to you.
If you learn to love photography, you will become more knowledgeable and get an idea about what camera to get when your compact camera is not sufficient in some settings.