Canon T2i/550D, Nikon D3100, or Pentax K-r?

I've been doing D-SLR camera research, and I'm down to these 3. Which of these would be best for someone starting off D-SLR photography?

Neither of these really outclasses the rest. I'd go for the d3100 because I like nikon, I like the interfaces and it's got a friendly pricetag.

They are all excellent, to say the least.

You will have to go to a camera store and try each of them out to see simply which one feels better in your hands, which one is easier for you to use and operate, etc.

All of these systems are great cameras capable of excellent and phenomenal results.

Well the most bang for the buck would be the Nikon D3100 ($700) with its video mode able to auto-focus.

The number of available lenses for Nikon and Canon cameras is very impressive and there are many good used lenses available for them too.

I suggest you enter a camera store and actually hold all three in your hands and see which one you like the best and which has the easiest menu to navigate

If you consider you want to use the video on the camera's the sony A33 is the best for video. If you don't really need a "good" video function the canon 500d will function good enough for a beginner D-slr photographer.

500d & 550d don't have any differences except for that the 550d can use 24-25-30 FPs for video's.

so out of the 3.none video= sony A33, pictures canon 500d.

The sony a33 has auto focus just like the d3100 but due to the translucent mirror technology it has accurate and fast auto focus.

the d3100 auto focus during video is dreadfully slow.

so once again either the sony A33 of the canon 500d.

I had the same diliima and have decided on the Nikon D3100.

The K-r may be too much for you so go with the more common and popular choices.