What is a great camera to get for a beginning photographer?

I'm in high school and i love taking pictures of nature and hanging out with friends and family and i'm thinking in going into the photography field later on. But unfortunatly my samsung camera from over 3 years ago broke. Any suggestions on getting a camera with great quality and a great price? Now i'm looking towards a Nikon or Canon and none of those wimpy digital cameras that break easily and are smaller than your hand.

So you want a DSLR?

look at the Nikon D3100, D3200, D5100
Canon Rebel T3, T2i, T3i, T4i
Pentax K-30

"none of those wimpy digital cameras that break easily and are smaller than your hand"

So, you are looking to get a DSLR camera? (camera with interchangeable lenses?)

"i'm looking towards a Nikon or Canon"

Even though Canon and Nikon are everywhere, very popular, and very advertised, doesn't essentially mean that they are the best- you've got lots more options from other brands such as Pentax, Sony, Panasonic, and Olympus. Just because they are lesser-known brands (compared to Canon and Nikon at least) doesn't mean that they are "wimpy". Each brand offers excellent options.

Pentax is known for their weather-resistant DSLR camera bodies and lenses. They also make some of the smallest and compact DSLR cameras.

Sony, Panasonic, and Olympus are dominating the mirrorless camera market with their compact NEX, GH, and Pen mirrorless cameras, they are like large DSLR cameras except that they are much smaller.

Canon and Nikon are just there, chillin in the middle- they offer a little bit of everything.

CANON SX150IS @ low cost

http://www.canon.co.in/personal/products/compact-cameras/powershot/powershot-sx150is?languageCode=EN

Actually to become a great photographer camera is very important, but creativity and talentless is most important. About choosing camera I can suggest for samsung camera.