Are you in the US?  KEH.com has a large selection of used cameras, a used Rebel series camera with 12mp+ is a good starter camera.  You can also look at bhphoto.com and adorama.com.

Yeah, I'd certainly buy used.  I'd go into a store (or ebay) and just get the best Canon or Nikon I could.  I don't follow used cameras too much but like gostwyck said a 5D MK 1 or a 30D 40D 50D etc.. the highest number you can afford

For a lens, skip the kit lens and just get the 50mm 1.8

If you are in a decent sized city in the US start looking at craigslist - there are some potentially very good deals on 2-3 year old cameras often with better than the kit lenses. The advantage is you get to go check out the actual camera and see how it works before buying it.

My first DSLR was a Nikon D80 (10Mp CCD) which I've still got and like (40K shots and still going). You can get a good one used for under $200 I would think + standard 50mm f1.8 for say $80.
A much better buy (also with an eye on 'versatility') would be the Canon 5D full frame as proposed by gostwyck. I sort of regret having Nikon because only Nikon lenses can be used.

A Canon camera + adapter can be used with just about any lens including old M42 Pentax lenses, Olympus OM lenses etc some of which are excellent as long as you don't mind using the lenses on manual.
A friend of mine recently picked up an ancient 35mm f3.5 Pentax M42 at a market for �10 and discovered that at f8 in the studio that it's the sharpest corner to corner lens that he owns. Far superior to his Canon 28-70mm f2.8-4.0 zoom. The only thing I doubt is that you will be able to get a 5D body within your budget. Price here in NL seems to be between �400 and �500 at present. Good hunting.

Quote from: OM on September 12, 2012, 18:49

I sort of regret having Nikon because only Nikon lenses can be used.

Nikon lenses are the reason many of us choose Nikon.

Same with me but Canon. Either one is very well produced and supported.

Here's and example for the OP of what someone can find for entry level photography and good quality. Not mine, not and AD, just an example of FM forums buy and sell where I've picked up a few cameras and many lenses. Everything in the open, no eBay shipping fee games or Craigslist scams.

This is about as good as it gets for around $300. I would agree if someone can get a camera and the 50mm prime, it would be better quality than the kit lens. You can find camera only for $210 and 50mm f/1.8 for $90, there's your $300 Kit! 

Price: $325.00
Payment method: PayPal
Item condition: 9 Shows signs of use, but very clean
Shipping instructions: Insured UPS shipping within the CONUS

For sale is a Canon EOS 20D camera with EF-S 18-55mm lens kit, plus BG-E2 grip and additional battery. In very good cosmetic and perfect operating condition. Some wear marks on the hot-shoe. The kit lens has barely been used, with no wear marks. The included battery grip is like new and includes the AA battery tray. An additional battery is provided for a total of 2 batteries.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1149425/0?keyword=20d#10967220

Two batteries, grip and a lens, you'll need a CF card. Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS usually goes for around $100

I'm not sure the 20D would be a good choice. It's an early model and the image quality wasn't so good back then. Noise could be a problem.

But the OP wants, $300, or under, DSLR with a lens, what can someone get? It was the best for $300 that I could think of and really, I still sport shoot with a 10-D and a 20-D they aren't that noisy. ISO 100 Has everything gone Pro-Only? Big sensors are better I don't care if someone has a P&S with 12MP, the 20-D will crush it for image quality and lower noise.

If he didn't say DSLR I would have answered G-12

I want a Porsche and only have $3000 what can I get. 

i m not sure if there is a best camera . but for 300 bucks, i would suggest visiting the used camera stores locally or maybe someone here on MSG has one to sell u.
300 isn't much to spend for a camera. even the lense alone would be over that.
maybe used prime lens and a camera would no doubt be the way to go for you.
prime lens is cheaper and faster and better glass in most cases for the same cost as zoom.
i would say, go with more money on the lens vs the camera, it is the lens that takes the photo.
still, in the early days of microstock some people actually made money using PNS. but today a PNS cost as much as a DSLR, so best , as u say, get a DSLR. an older one of a Nikon, Canon, Pentax,etc.
only thing is you still have to spend a lot more on the lenses. unless you shoot everything using the sweet spot for the lens you have.

As the King already told us -  Nokia 808 PureView 41 MP Cell camera is the future of Microstock...

Nikon D5200 is a good option. Second hand you should get it for that money with the kit lens. It was my first camera and it made me a lot of money with stock. I have a D7100 now but this does not make me more money it's just something I wanted to have. So if you would ask me go for a D5200.

I second this. And along the same lines, any Canon T2i or later (T3i, T4i..., the "i" is important) used is great. My T2i saw some heavy use and most of my port was made with it. Once I got my 6D, I just replaced worn-down rubber grips with original spare parts and now it is still doing it's job in the hands of my girlfriend. What a great little camera.

Sorry... I meant D5100.

The OP is still looking for a camera two years later?

Checkout this list, especially first one:
1. Canon 40D.
2. Nikon D 200.
3. Nikon D80.