Looking for a camera recommendation

[raincityboy]

I'm just starting to get into photography, and wanted to see what anandtech pros would recommend for me.

Looking in the $500 to $700 range.

I do a lot of hiking, and kayaking.

What other info would be helpful for a recommendation?

 

[ElFenix]

one of those compact waterproof olympus cameras would be ok for kayaking. you couldn't drop it into the ocean but it wouldn't mind getting splashed

 

[jpeyton]

The three best options around $500 are (in no order):

Canon Rebel XS
Sony Alpha A200
Nikon D40

Go to a camera store, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc.; hold them in your hands, look through the viewfinder and play with the controls. Report back with your findings.