What's a great camera for graphic designers that is inexpensive?

I really want a good quality camera but I'm on a budget between $100-500.It can be a point and shoot camera or a dslr, preferably Canon, Nikon, or Sony. I would like to know what would be best for me to buy before I waste my money on something not worth it?

Are you an artist?

P&S cameras - Coolpix P510 & P7100 and Powershot SX40
Entry-level DSLRs - Rebel T3 (with an 18-55 kit lens) and Nikon D3100 (with an 18-55 kit lens)

Regardless of which camera you buy, you'll also need a genuine spare battery, 2 or 3 8GB Class 10 SDHC cards, a card reader and a case. A tripod might come in handy, too…

$500 can get you a brand new dSLR. If you know how to use one, get one. Any brand or model will do. They are all basically the same. If you don't know how to operate a dSLR, get a Sony Cybershot instead that falls more on the higher end of your budget. They are easy to use to get decent results most of the time as long as you give the camera enough light to work on.

Entry level DSLR.

Indeed those three brands are good. If you are intending to use the images in print then go for a DSLR (or CSC, but DSLR is more practical) since the sensor is physically much larger (though same megapixels) than the sensor in a compact point and shoot.

You can get a decent DSLR used for about 300 bucks on ebay or craigslist like a canon xs or xti you don't need any better then 10-12mp if it isn't for high res bilboard design work. And 50mm 1.8 lens for another 150 which is a GREAT lens to start with.