Is the Nikon D7000 too much camera for a first DSLR?

I want to get into photography and want a good camera, but I'm afraid I will never get great shots if I have a camera that is too difficult to learn.

Get the best camera you can afford.
Then take an intro course on it and join a photo club so you can learn from others. And practice, practice, practice.

That depends more on your learning style/ability than the camera. Are you someone who gives up easily when faced with difficulties? Are you prepared to put time & effort into something or do you want 'instant' results?

The D7000 seems to have scene modes as well as the pretty standard P, A, S, M modes so you may be able to start simple.

There's no difference in learning with a D3200, D7000 or D4. The principles of photography and all of the settings are exactly the same.

I think the key phrase is a first DSLR, and the answer to that is no. It's a simple camera that will not overwhelm you. If you're not familiar with how camera's work, you won't find it any more difficult that a D3000 or a D5000.It's just a better camera than those. One thing that is important to understand is that even the most advanced camera's in the world all operate on the same ideas. That is the triangle of exposure. You need three things. The right shutter speed, the right aperture and the right ISO. All camera's work this way. A $100 dollar camera needs these things as much as a $50, 000 dollar camera.

Learn about the triangle. Lots of very talented people in here can help. I would, but I tend to type all day long and I'm tired.

The learning curve for any DSLR is about 99.9% the same. All of them require that you actually read & study the Owner's Manual. Taking photography classes is the very best way to learn about photography. There's much, much, much more to photography than just learning to use the camera. Until you learn about Light, Composition, Exposure, Depth of Field and Seeing Photographically don't expect very good results.

If photography classes aren't available these are good learning sites:

LIGHT
http://photographyknowhow.com/photography-lighting/
http://photographyknowhow.com/quality-of-light-in-photography/
http://photographyknowhow.com/direction-of-light-in-photography/

COMPOSITION
http://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/10-top-photography-composition-rules

EXPOSURE
http://www.digital-photography-school.com/learning-exposure-in-digital-photography

DEPTH of FIELD
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/...-field.htm

SEEING PHOTOGRAPHICALLY
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/aesthetics-1.shtml

I know GE does not make SUPER good cameras, but alot of people say that the ge x500 is good for beginners.

6 MP for the low price is an extremely good deal
The lens works great for zooms, wide angles, and even macro images
The panorama mode works really great (as long as you do it right)

Uses four AA batteries instead of a rechargeable battery
The clarity of the LCD screen leaves a lot to be desired
I'm sure this is just a draw-back of using AA batteries, but there's no hot shoe.

I would suggest that you start off with a bridge camera which have the basic options of manual and auto settings and use it to learn the basics of digital photography - and its limitations! Once you have learned the basic principles you will also have a better idea of the facilities you want to have on your next camera thus can upgrade with confidence.

Since that upgrade will be to a DSLR you then need to bear in mind that the body comes dear BUT the real workhorse are the lenses so you can look to the body to provide the range of facilities and the lenses to provide the visualisation of your images. Despite the complexity of a DSLR most photographers do not NEED or USE all of the available features hence the value of knowing the facilities you WANT.

Do not mock the bridge camera as a tool; I started my digital photography in 2001 with a Fuji 6900 which I used over 18 months ( including have 2 front covers on a national magazine! ) from which I upgraded to a Nikon D100 thru to my current D700. My specific interests are suited to the Nikon range and I have now been using my D700 since July 2009; despite the innovations of later models the D700 still meets all MY needs hence there there's no need to upgrade simply for the sake of having the latest piece of kit. That camera is supported by a 24-120 f4 lens which is virtually my standard lens as it meets 90% of my photography needs.

In the wider context of learning be patient; learn by experience and self-criticism; buy the best body you can afford and upgrade by buying lenses.

Looking for cameras and gear is fun. I do recommend the Nikon D7000 though. Canons are good but I've always loved Nikons

Nikon D800 seems good. But its expensive. Well worth it though