I use a Canon T1I..great body for the money. I will echo what someone else said..lenses matter more than anything. That being said I think the perfect point and shoot with Manual capability has to be the Canon SX210IS it can likely be found at clearance prices well south of $200. It's 14 megapixel with a lot of great features.
I take it with me when I don't want to lug around the DSLR. Here are some shots from the past weekend at a 3d Shoot.

 

 

 

 

 

I have 2 Nikon D-7000s, and a D-800 on the way. That said, it's all about the lenses. In fact, the priority for great pictures might be: Composition, Light, Lenses, Camera. in the Nikon vs. Canon DSLR world, pick one and stay with it. The reason is lenses, as with those two great camera makers, the lenses never really go out of date. I recently sold a 25 year old manual focus Nikon 600mm f 4 for $2,000.

If I had to choose, I would shoot with an old Nikon D-70 camera (ten year old technology) and keep my 300mm f2.8, and be happy. if I were forced to choose between a new Point and Shoot 16 Mega Pixel camera and an old DSLR or even SLR 35mm camera and "great" interchangeable lenses, I would take the camera with the interchangeable lenses. For me, the options are greater, the ability to adjust is greater.

Of course, I have point and shoot cameras, the Lumix waterproof models, and they can take great, publishable pictures (and underwater, and underwater HD video). but in my opinion, everything has to be just right for that to happen.

But at the end of the day, if composition and light is right, even the I phone can take a truly great photograph.  My opinion, of course. See our longbow hunting pictures at  www.jaycampbellphotography.com,  private gallery longbows, password "Buffalo", capital B. 

Best, Jay and Karen Campbell

Canon 5d with a 70-300 is L lens and a 34-105 IS L lens.  Awesome pics

I am just getting into the DSLR camera's and purchased a Nikon D7000.  It is way more camera than I will ever learn to use, and not sure it was a good choice for my first camera.

You'll be fine. Go to kenrockwell.com and click on camera reviews,  go to nikon cameras, and look at the d7000 "user guide." With the U1 and U2 dial modes this allows you instant changeable modes for people and things.

I was told in hunting you do not want to cut corners on boots or optics and I prescribe to that.  With cameras, as Jay shared above, lenses make a big difference. My first lens actually cost $600 more than my D7000 camera body. I refused to buy one of the package deals because they always pair the camera with a lower quality lens...not bad lenses. Be careful and protect your valuables when in use and not in use, they are expense to repair or replace!  I'd suggest taking classes.  There are also DVDs that go over in detail all the components of the Nikon D7000.  I found it all super confusing at first but as I combined classes with the DVD I became acquainted enough with the camera to us it and play around with it and that is when things really came together.  There is still a lot for me to learn with the D7000 but I'd rather have a camera I know I can still grow with than one I have maxed out or grown out of.  Keep at it with your D7000 you'll be glad you did!   The only downfall with the lens I use is most of the time is its weight.  I refused to take the camera and lens up over the mountain to trout fish at a remote lake when out west Elk hunting this fall...opting for my point and shoot feather weight camera...which as Jay also pointed out takes great pictures too.

vey nice

Nikon D7000

I used to shoot a Nikon D80.

Before that a Canon 10D

Each was a great camera.

I am a firm believer that the best camera is the one that you have...   :D

I need to replace a Canon XTi ...a 12.1 MP one with maybe another one with the ? whats it called rear view, not thru the eyepiece, wife hate them, any suggetions on NEW canons?

I like my Sony Alpha 100.

I have my Nikon D7000 up for sale right now.  You will get a good deal, on the newest out there right now.

I've been very pleased with my Olympus OM-D EM5 micro four thirds (mirrorless technology) camera.  The owner of the local camera shop said he was using it more than his $3,000 Nikon set-up because it's automatic mode was spot on so often.  It's waterproof and about 2/3 the size of a regular SLR.

I've taken three classes at our community college (3 hour evening courses) and that has also helped immensely, but wow, what a huge amount of information and a lot to practice with to put it all together. As mentioned above, if you're going to dive into the new technology, it's best to set aside some time to take classes as well.

I just picked up a Nikon D7100. Really like it so far. Huge learning curve but WOW!!!! does it take nice pictures.

+1 for Olympus mirror less system cameras, om-d is the best,  I got the ep3 before the  omd came out. Love it!

Dslr will give better low light performance however

Canon 5D MkIII and several "L" lenses. I love that camera, but it's a bit heavy to carry bowhunting (though I'll probably do just that on my mule deer hunt this fall).

I used a Canon G1X compact on my caribou hunt with T.J. last fall. All of the photos published with my caribou hunt article in TBM, the cover, and the cover a couple issues back (silhouette on red wall) were taken with that camera. I have two 16"x24" canvas prints on the wall from that hunt. The image sensor is only slightly smaller than the sensor in the 7D, but the low light, low noise capabilities are better. I know. I had a 7D and sold it because I wasn't happy with the amount of noise in the images above ISO 640.

At $699 it is a pricey compact, but worth every penny. It was always in my pocket ready for action instead of buried in my pack. A small dry-bag kept it safe. Highly recommend it unless you are wanting to do wildlife photography as the zoom is only equivalent to about a 28mm-105mm. Wish it went to 24mm, but 28mm works.

Jerry

I was into photography 10 years ago, using SLRs and slide film. When I finally switched to digital, I went with a point and shoot because I was tired of carrying around so much camera gear. It felt like photography was "taking over" my other hobbies.

While using the point and shoot, I missed the control and the picture quality of the SLR format, but it was nice to travel light.

I just got a Panasonic G3 mirrorless camera this spring and I have been enjoying it. It is just small enough to throw in my daypack without a second thought and big enough to have a lot of control features, 16 megapixels, and interchangeable lenses. And for only $350 for the body and one lens, it is way more "disposable" than a fancy SLR (which is good for me since I work around water). It also shoots HD video which has been fun to play with.

Sorry to bring the thread a little off topic, but mirrorless cameras are relatively new and I thought you guys might be interested to hear another firsthand review.

Here is a sample pic from yesterday's mountain goat scouting trip:
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Here's a couple from my Olympus OMD E-5 mirrorless camera. It's about 2/3 the size of a regular 35mm. Close up shot and Taquamenon Falls in Michigan's Upper Peninsula on a cloudy winter day.  

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I just bought and Canon T5i with the 18-135 lens, and it is fantastic.  It's probably too much to carry out hunting, in fact I know it is.  I take a Canon G9 with me hunting, and it takes great photos.  I've used it on a several shots that were used for magazine covers, and it's simple to use.

Canon is a lot user friendly then Nikon, this is what I found when I was at your stage, eventually I went from a 20D, to a 40D, to a 50D, a 5D, then a 7D, now a 5D MKIII.. they also hold their value pretty well

I have a Canon 30D for sale now.  I also have a couple of lenses, bag, tripod, filters, speedlight, etc. etc. if someone was looking for a really all encompassing starter package.