Which camera would be best for me to purchase?

I'm an amateur photographer and up until now I use to have a GE 8.0 mp E850.It broke and I think its time for a huge upgrade. I'm looking for something below $500, possibly a Nikon or Canon (which ever is best). Any suggestions? Thanks.

Added (1). I'd like a digital SLR. Possibly even a Polaroid camera.

Your budget is enough to get a brandnew entry-level dSLR. They are all good, whatever brand or model. All you have to do after buying the camera is to learn how to use it.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...4291645407

http://www.illustratedphotography.com/basic-photography

Canon PowerShot S95 camera definitely rocks. The small size means that it's easy to keep in my pocket at all times. My other camera is a Nikon D700 with a huge, heavy lens that I hate to take out just because of its size. The S95 is giving my pro camera a run for its money. The picture quality is great and the in-camera scenes give you so many options as well as full manual mode. Shutter lag is virtually non-existent. The LCD screen is bright and fairly accurate as far as colors. My last Canon, the G9, had a purplish tint to the LCD and didn't display colors properly. The S95's screen is polarized which makes it much easier to see in bright sunlight. The downside to this is that if you wear polarized sunglasses, the screen goes black when turned horizontally.