Canon Rebel EOS.
I think it was $800 in 2010 when new and I've bought a couple lenses for it. Most of my photos come out the best using AV mode on the camera and a quick photoshop touch up.
This is one of my favorite unedited pics I've ever taken, last year in huntinton beach, CA.
2nd pic is what happens when your lens breaks. I had to pay highway robbery at a best buy in San Francisco for a new lens (ended up buying a telephoto lens too) when the same lenses on ebay are 1/3 of the price >
What could I do? We were halfway through one of the best vacations I've ever been on.
Last is a telephoto shot of Alcatraz... this was a couple miles away...