If your looking into Canons I highly recommend this site,
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/ they have an excellent used section as well as tips & tricks for all types of budgets. Id skip the point and shoot BS if I were you and just step up to a DSLR, you can always find good deals on new & used.
If you decide to buy new, also read this website.
http://www.dpreview.com
Just remember its not always the actual camera that makes the photo, its knowledge and lessons learned that really make or break photos.