Get a Canon XT, the discontinued one (8mp), for cheap, and then spend the money on the lenses. As you improve, change out the body for higher-end Canon's and use the lenses on them. Put your money into the lenses not the body. Digital cameras are no longer treasured items, they are merely

 Don't buy a Porche to learn to drive. Don't buy a pro camera system to learn photography. I would recommend an SLR system. Digital (DSLR) will give you the advantage of seeing and learning cheaper-if you shoot a lot.