Looking for some recommendations on a decent DSLR for a starter camera.  Nothing too crazy, looking at around $500-$600 max.

I literally know nothing about them, I just want to be able to take good high res pictures.

On that note, what publications would anyone recommend on how to get a starter like myself up to speed on photography basics.  Large print and pictures are always helpful.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1023353-REG/nikon_1532_d3300_dslr_camera_with.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1090459-REG/nikon_13461_d5200_digital_slr_camera.html

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/nikon-d7000-dslr-camera-with-18-140mm-vr-lens-black/2071002.p?id=1219068635598

My vote is the Canon SL1:
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Rebel-Digital-18-55mm-Lens/dp/B00BW6LY2Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420508849&sr=8-1&keywords=canon+sl1

Here is a very detailed review with lots of pictures by a guy who objectively uses Nikon but says that Canon/Nikon are equivalent, so I consider him unbiased:
http://kenrockwell.com/canon/rebel-sl1.htm

Here is his detailed article on Nikon vs Canon:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/nikon-vs-canon.htm

Not my listing, but I would be very tempted by this Canon in the EE.  I bought a package deal with an older model (T2i) on the EE for not a whole lot less than this one a year or so ago - granted it had more accessories, but the body in this one is much newer.

Just bought this as my launching point for a new hobby.  Love it so far.

If you're looking for a book to be able to reference or read when you might not have web access...  Understanding Exposure by Brian Peterson






Covers the basics, and IMHO is easy to read and follow.



edit - and this thread has a lot of good sources.
 

Awesome start for me guys, thanks!

Refurb Nikon D3200

http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Products/Product/Refurbished-dslr-cameras/D3200-Refurbished.html

For Nikons, the D3000 and D5000 and D7000 lines are great places to start. Which one you like may depend on how big your hands are.  The D3000 and D5000 lines are very small; the D7000 line is much more reasonably sized.

Your best advice is to go to a camera store and play with the cameras. Check out their size, weight, shape, button placement, etc.  Buy the one that feels best in your hands.  If you don't like the way it feels, you are just going to let it collect dust at home.

Avoid Ken Rockwell, he's an idiot.

Ask yourself if you really need an DSLR or if you need a good point-and-shoot like a Sony RX100 III. A lot of people think they need and want an SLR and never end up taking it anywhere or learning enough about it to actually take halfway decent pictures.

Read "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson, it's a good starter book. Read it before you buy a camera and see if it's something you actually want to pursue.

Thoughts on the T6 line that is coming out by Canon?

D7100 Nikon, the new one is about to come out so the price is going to drop and refurbs are already at the 700 mark.

If you really want to start taking photos with a DLSR, I suggest buying refurb.  I bought a Cannon Rebel T3i a little over a year go from Cannon.  It was a refurb on sale, got it for $384 before tax and shipping.  Its a good enough crop frame to learn how to shoot.

Or like someone else mentioned go for a Point and Shoot that has the same type of controls as DSLR.

60d body is on sale for cheap at B&H today.  
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/732047-REG/Canon_4460B003_EOS_60D_DSLR_Camera.html
$479.00

I wouldn't get too hung up on a DSLR these days. There are a lot of very good mirrorless cameras out there.

Mine is one of them. I have an Olympus OM-D EM-5, and it's fucking phenomenal. I started on a Canon T2i and then had a 7D with a couple VERY nice lenses. I ditched that stuff for the OM-D. It's that good. It's smaller, more compact, more handy, takes comparable if not better pictures (than the two I mentioned) and has an awesome jpeg engine. Shit, for most casual shooting, I don't bother shooting raw, because if I get it right in the camera, it comes out looking awesome.

OP could probably find a used EM-5 within his price range. The lower end lenses are pretty inexpensive. I have one of the expensive constant aperture zoom lenses, and one of the cheaper longer-range zooms, and the cheap one is sharp as fuck. I can't believe how nice it is for the $100 I spent on that lens.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=14748

SL1 kits are on sale again for $349.00 with lens.

3-28-15 expired, but keep checking back. This one comes and goes.