Buying a dslr camera?

I'm planing to buy a dslr camera. This is going to be my first dslr camera. First of all, I'm not into making videos at all. I've been shooting photos with a compact digital camera, and now I need better a equipment. I'm into landscape, travel, Macro, little bit of action, potraits and normal other photography.

I'm a hobbyst, I need to improve my photographing skills, specially to take photos creatively. You know what I mean. I don't want to become a total slave auto focus. Anyway, I'm student and I have a budget problem too, My budget is around 500$. I've been thinking of Nikon D3100 (since lots of people recommend it), I have been interested in Canon rebet Xsi 450D which seems to be a good camera. Then I have found some good bargains for Used cameras Nikon d5000 and canon 500D.

So I need this camera in an photographic edge. To shoot artistic photographs. So now I'm confused. Cameras complexity doesn't matter. I easily get going with any tech stuff just within few mins.

I really appreciate your advice.

Added (1). Ps: I'm planing to buy this camera for two, three years and then I'll upgrade to a better camera. Right now developing and sharpening photographic skills is the most important thing.

Look on craigslist for good used Nikon and Canon dSLR cameras.

As you know, the camera is fully capable of shooting the subjects you want, but you will need lenses.

One type for just about each of the listed subjects.

10-24 mm for landscapes
60 mm or 105 mm macro lenses
70-300 mm for shooting action or a 18-200 mm for a single lens solution until you can save up more pennies.

I think you would be better off with a used D5000 that a new D3100. The D3100 is just to simple and lacks basic features that you would expect for a DSLR.

Take a look at Canon 550D. It's called the Canon Rebel T2i in the US. It has an 18 mega pixel sensor and takes great photos. It also has 1080 HD video, with a choice of frame rates. The video quality is superb, it looks great on my high definition TV.

Any one of the two camera you mentioned is good. All the other stuff has to do with the photographer (and to some extent the lenses), not the camera.

Once you fiddle around with it for a while you will be able to decide for yourself what other lenses you need (besides the lens that was included with the camera, probably 18-55mm)