Entry level DSLR for HIGH quality photos?

I'm looking for an entry level DSLR camera to have excellent photos.
I may not use videos that much.
My preference is to get excellent and detailed snaps.

From my research i noted that Nikon D3100 is the best entry level DSLR available.
Is this better than Nikon D5100 or any other Canon DSLRs.

As I said, I'm looking for HIGH quality photos not video recording.

Please share your opinion.

Thanks in advance.

Added (1). In addition, my budget is less than $700.

The camera is only half the equation. For high quality photos you need a high quality lens.

An entry level camera with a high quality lens will produce better photos than a high quality camera with an entry level lens.

http://www.youtube.com/...k5IMmEDWH4

With your budget the D3100 is a good choice. You will be the limiting factor for quite some time to come, not your camera.

Your two given options are fine for your budget. Unless you already have lenses available, you cold flip a coin.

Once you have moved up to DSLRs, the choice of camera body doesn't make much difference (unless you want to take five or more shots in one second, transfer the images wirelessly, or get a "full-sized" sensor). The choice of lens does have a significant effect, as Selina and Boater have noted. But the major factor is knowing how to use the camera properly, and knowing the conditions under which getting an excellent shot is impossible-this can only be learned, not bought.

Well you aren't going to find the D5100 for less than $700.

You said you are looking for high quality. It's not like D3100 has 84% worse image quality than d5100, all DSLRs are the same here. But remember if you don't know how to use the camera nothing will help you, so you have to read and practice. Some people think that cameras take pictures. It's not true.

Here's a DSLR Buying Guide - http://www.the-dslr-photographer.com/2009/11/which-dslr-to-buy/

Get the;

-Nikon D3100 camera body only
+
- Nikon 50mm 1.4G

It should be less than $700. With this lens you'll get sharp result, if you buy your camera with the kit lens you'll find out soon enough that most result will be soft.

The cons of this set up is obviously the 50mm, there's no zoom therefore you'll be stock at 50mm for a long time if you're not planning on buying a more versatile lens, the good side, it's a very sharp lens.

The D5100 is better than the D3100, but it would be more complicated for you, if you're a beginner, i guess you are?

Yes the D3100 would be great, especially with the Guide mode. The Canon T2i would be better but it's an Mid range dSLR. And everybody says that Nikon's system is easier to use.

If your budget is under $700, you could buy an Nikon D3100 kit lens ( 18-55mm), and if you have money a cheap but good 35mm 1.8, or even 50 mm 1.8