The question I am asked most frequently by beginners in the night classes I teach is "What camera should I buy?" The answer is a series of questions. How do you plan to use it and what kind of pictures do you want to make? How will the pictures be used? How much can you afford to spend? The answers to these questions are the key to making the decision because there is no camera that is perfect for everyone or every purpose.
Your objectives will be the first limit on the type of camera you choose. Someone who needs a camera to take photos of an extended backpacking trip will find their choices limited by the need to keep their pack weight down. He/she will probably also want something that is fairly rugged and perhaps weather resistant. If you plan to do a lot of action photography you will need features that are appropriate to that. If you want to make very large prints of landscapes for exhibition, a large format camera may be the best camera for you.
Cameras are constantly changing as manufacturers invent and add new features. There are many more cameras out there than I can possibly know about so I will not be making any specific recommendations here. You must discover for yourself what is the "best" camera for you but I can give some tips on how to find the camera you'll love.
Don't buy a camera just because the salesperson says it's just what you need and will make all your relatives look like Hollywood stars. They are trying to get a commission (or get rid of something that has set on the shelf too long). It's your job to figure out what you really need.
The first question above is the most important. When you decide what kind of pictures you want to make read about photographers who are doing similar work to learn what equipment they are using. I don't mean the make and model necessarily but the type of camera that has the features they consider important to achieve their photographic objectives. You can then look at cameras that have those features as good candidates for your own work.
How much you can afford is a limiting factor for most of us. As a rule of thumb, buy the best you can afford. This often means used equipment. Don't be afraid of buying used equipment if it's from a reputable dealer. Most of the cameras I own (or have owned) were used. Unless you are going into photography full time you probably won't use it hard enough to wear it out anyway. If you like being in control of your exposure and focusing manually you may have to buy used gear to get the features you want because so many of the new cameras lean toward automation.
The lessons on camera types and camera formats list some general features and the advantages/ disadvantages of each. Several magazines put out annual reviews of new equipment and/or buyers guide issues. The popular newsstand publications are usually limited to 35mm (and now APS) equipment. Shutterbug does regular features on medium format. You might try the Medium Format Digest (links page) or one of the many user groups on the net to learn what other photographers recommend. Don't be satisfied to ask what they use, also ask what they like and don't like about it. Write to manufacturers for brochures and check their websites. View Camera magazine is an excellent source for those interested in large format. The publisher of View Camera is about to launch a new magazine for small and medium format photographers called CameraArts.
If at all possible, buy your dream camera in a store where you can handle it (or at least from a mail order house that gives you a 10-15 day, no questions asked return privilege). We are all different and the camera that one person loves may feel all wrong to the next person. Your camera is your primary tool. It should feel 'right' in your hand(s). If it feels clumsy or awkward, you won't be happy working with it. Try it "dry" (no film). Do the controls seem to be comfortably and logically located? How does it fit your hand? Can you look through the viewfinder comfortably? Is the focusing easy? You should eventually be able to use it with almost no thought so that your attention is on the image you are making. A good fit from the start will hasten that day.
If you are disappointed that I haven't told you what camera to run out and buy you should go back to the Tips For Better Photos and reread the last tip. Also remember that we are talking about the best camera to make your pictures, not mine or anyone else's. Only you can decide that. The search for the "right" camera to make those pictures may be one of your most important steps in the road to success. Happy hunting.
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"Do your best. Someone might like it." Author unknown