Which brand is best: Nikon, Cannon, or Pentax?

I'm curious to know which brand of camera is best to buy and for starting photography. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Added (1). I don't have a budget.

Added (2). I mean no budget as I can spend whatever on it.

Nikon

Canon definitely
Also has best battery life

It really does not matter.

What does matte is how you intend to use the cameras

If you are anticipating using a dSLR professionally then the camera systems with the most accessories, available lenses for rental and ones that can be tethered to a compute, if such a thing is important to you, then you need to consider Nikon and Canon (not cannon, they shoot cannon balls).

Both those systems have over 70 current lenses available and each have three different full frame cameras available.

When you say you nave no budget, does that mean that you have an unlimited one or you have very little money to spend?

You need to know that entry level dSLR cameras cost from about $700 and up.

You also need to know this.

http://bythom.com/iceberg.htm

If instead you are asking about P&S cameras, then any of those brands make excellent P&S cameras

I personally love Nikon. Because all they specialize in is Photography equipment and Lenses.
Now for starters. I would go with an entry level DSLR so you can learn about the camera.a Nikon D3100 or Nikon D3200, The prices are great for a DSLR and it leaves room in your budget to get a Lens for it.

http://www.amazon.com/...003ZYF3LO/

http://www.amazon.com/...007VGGFZU/

You can also use film lenses on your camera if you are not up for paying the high prices a lens can cost.

The camera in your hand is always the best one. It's better than the one you left at home, or the one in the store you didn't buy. Because it's in your hand and you can take photos with it.

But on a practical level, the camera isn't that important - the lenses are the important bit. For general purpose photography any manufacturer is ok. It's only if you want to do something specialised that there's much of a difference.

Don't listen anyone who says Canon rocks and Nikon sucks, or the other way around. Both brands make awesome cameras and lenses.

I use Canon, and at my job, I constantly recommend Canon to a starting photographer for a few reasons. The #1 biggest reason is because of the selection of lenses. The first lens any photographer should get is a 50mm f/1.8. Nikon makes two. There's the regular 50mm f/1.8, and there's the 50mm f/1.8G. Only the 50mm f/1.8G will autofocus on entry-level Nikon DSLR bodies, and it's significantly more expensive. Canon makes 1 50mm f/1.8 lens, and it focuses on all current Canon DSLR bodies. Period.

If you literally have no financial barriers, then by all means, get a Nikon if you like them better. Most of the brand loyalty you'll see among photographers is really just based on personal preference and opinion. I've always preferred Canon, but I know lots of fantastic photographers who prefer Nikon. I admit that Nikon may be ahead in terms of features and stuff right now in the industry, but I doubt whether it will stay that way very long. Canon and Nikon have been trading places for years.

So head down to the camera store and see which cameras you like better. For beginners, take a look at:

Canon Rebel T3
Canon Rebel T3i
Canon Rebel T4i
Canon 60D

Nikon D3100
Nikon D3200
Nikon D5100
Nikon D5200
Nikon D7000
Nikon D7100

Way more people use Canon than Nikon so I guess that's your answer

The brand war is completely meaningless… A camera is just a tool and they are all about equivalent… Or at least they are equivalent in all the important areas. I shoot Canon but hand me a Nikon and give me 10 minutes to figure out the control layout and I'll create the same quality of images as I would with my Canon gear.

Choose the one your friends have (so you can borrow their gear) or the one that feels best to you in your hands (ergonomics).