Can you recommend a sub $600 camera?

[driftless]

Yes, but the OP was just considering mirrorless options not used DSLR gear. I was just being responsive to the OP's question.

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.....I think that would be better for the OP's pocketbook than a m4/3 system if he plans to get lenses. Not knocking on the m4/3 systems, I know many people out there who love their 4/3 cameras. ........

Why don't we let the OP decide his own pocketbook.

Yup, mirrorless is pretty darn cool.

 

[kelub]

I wanted to throw my support in for the Sony mirrorless line. I sold my 8yo Canon DSLR body and lenses and went to an NEX-C3 last year. The pictures are amazing, the sensor is the same size APS-C sensor the entry DSLR's have, I even have the option to swap lenses still... and it does HD video with stereo audio. It's a great little camera. There are still plenty of manual setting options if you want to use them, but even if you let the camera do the thinking the results are spectacular. I take all my pics in RAW and post-process in Aperture, same as I did with the DSLR.

If you feel a DSLR is overkill and want a powerful all-in-one camera, you can't go wrong with the Sony NEX's.

 

[100Teraflops]

I'm looking to get into photography a little more heavily. I enjoy taking pictures on my iPhone 4 and want to turn into a bigger hobby, nothing more. My basic budget would be anything <$600. I was thinking something between a a point and shoot and DSLR would be the right fit for me. I've had a little bit of experience with DSLRs that my friends use professionally, they're nice but a little overkill for me.

I've seen some really nice micro four-thirds which seems like they're targeted for people like me. I picked out a few to compare and was wondering what someone a little more knowledgable than me thinks:

Olympus PEN E-PL2
Olympus PEN E-P2

Nikon 1 J1
Nikon 1 J2

Of course I'm open to suggestions but these are just a few that caught my eye.

Since most cameras are in your price range, you have to separate which features attract you and which features you can live without. Borrow a friends camera if you haven't already and go from their. Unfortunately, your price range has tons of winners, which is not necessarily a bad thing. I'll be honest, if I were you and I didn't want a DSLR, I would have no idea what to buy. The market is flooded with entry level-do-all cameras. I hope this helps one way or another.