I have had one for 5-6 years. It has a fully automatic (point-and-shoot) setting that works very well. Once you learn the more advanced features, it has plenty of support for anything you would like to try.
I took over 40,000 pictures with mine and loved it until my wife dropped it a few weeks ago. Make sure to use the neck strap.
Since this is an older camera, you can pick one up for very little money. A great buy. Keep in mind there is also the XTi, XS, XSi models available as well. Those are higher megapixel and have more features, but will cost more.
All of the photos here (except one) were taken with the Canon Rebel XT:
Had the camera over a year--Instruction manual misplaced- Don't know if the camera isn't working...
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Had the camera over a year--Instruction manual misplaced- Don't know if the camera isn't working because of failed batteries or because I have forgotten how to turn it on