Where to begin when I want to buy a digital camera?

For some time now I wanted to buy a new camera. I searched the net to find countless choices! I'm more puzzled than ever. Even when I try to read the details I get lost with the technical terms and the extra lenses, filters, flashes etc. Sony, Kodak, Canon or Nikon. I managed to take amazing pictures with Polaroid or even a mobile's cam. I don't want something specific. I want some recommendations of some affordable, hundreds not thousands of dollars, cameras. What necessary extra lenses or filters etc, I must get. I want it for personal use. A friend recommended 'Canon EOS 400D Digital' if you have a previous experience with it please share it.

Your looking at SLR cameras that why they have extra lens and stuff.slrs and for professionals. For you just get any digital cameras. Try the lumix 14mp one its great

Decide what you want from your camera and what your willing to spend. Hold a few cameras and see which one feels good to you. Do you want a DSLR? In my opinion that only makes sense if you want to make a hobby out of it.

The 400D is a bit old. I would get either the 500D or the 550D, both are much better and have video as well.
If a DSLR is over your head, get a DSLR-Like camera, which is much easier to operate and has no extra lenses.
From Canon, you can get the excellent SX30, which has a x35 zoom lens.
For the best DSLR feel, get Fuji's HS10, which has a x30 zoom and its focusing and zooming is fone by turning the lens itself - like on a DSLR.