DSLR Selection

[inkista]

Nikon D3100 is kinda the same as the Canon 1100D (T3)
Nikon D5100 is kinda the same as the Canon 600D (T3i)

See:

Template:Nikon DSLR cameras - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Template:Canon DSLR cameras - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If you are considering the Nikon D3100, I'd also look at the Canon T3/1100D. Both of these are the entry-level dSLRs. I would also ask if you like taking low-light fast-action photography (indoor sports, stage shooting), because there is the slight hiccup on the Nikon side about only having autofocus with AF-S lenses.

All the other brands, Canon, Pentax, Sony, Olympus, do not have this kind of issue. All the current lenses will autofocus on the camera.

Whether it matters to you depends on what you want to shoot and with which lenses.

[theeventof]

I am a happy D3100 owner and have no regrets with my choice.

That being said - My honest opinion would be to save the money on the body and put that 200 dollars towards a second lens. The 18-55 kit lens will get boring fast and you'll want something that can really test your photographer limits.

Unless, of course, you're planning to do a lot of video with the DSLR. The 5100 has an audio in which is kind of nice and it has the swivel lcd which will let you take low or high shots or shoot around objects which can be kind of cool....

Just remember both bodies are excellent cameras and both have their good and bad. Have fun with whatever you choose and look forward to jumping to the next level once you've built up some skills and a collection of lenses