Good shots are almost entirely dependent on the photographer and not the camera and often the best shots do not come from the Full Auto on any camera.
There really aren't any 'easy' manual modes but this is not to say that manual is particularly difficult. You need to read the manual and learn a little about how to use the meter and the relationship between ISO sensitivity, the shutter, and aperture.
I've never had a problem looking through any viewfinder and I've taken pictures in the Judea desert at high noon... If you find too much light to be coming in from the sides then you can purchase an 'eyecup' from various makes such as Hoodman, which will conform to your eye and block out any side light.I use Nikon cameras. I know that used D3100, D5000, and D70 (with a lens) on Amazon are within your budget. These are all DSLRs. Compare their size and weight and make sure they're not too cumbersome for you!
