Entry-Level Cameras Aren't Cheap and Many People Just Need Their Smartphone

"Hey, Dan. I wanted to ask your help on buying a camera. I have a budget of around $300". It's a question I get asked a lot, and one I struggle to answer. Not because I don't know what I'm talking about, but because how can I recommend a dedicated camera for $300? For what you can get for that price, one has to ask themselves if the one in your pocket is all you need anyway?