I'm a beginning photographer looking to buy a DSLR?

I'm a beginning photographer about to invest in a DSLR. I've been reading up for a while now and I've narrowed it down to these four:
http://shop.usa.canon.com/...RRWidgetID

http://shop.usa.canon.com/...RRWidgetID

http://www.nikonusa.com/....TechSpecs

http://www.nikonusa.com/...s.Overview

I will be taking mostly portraits and and pictures of the outdoors. Which one is best for a beginner?

I would go for a Nikon D700. Better noise ratio than the ones you mention.

The T2i is the nicest camera of those you have listed. But just so you know, lenses make the shot, not the camera. If you want to take pictures of people (and assuming you buy the T2i), I would also buy the Canon 50mm ƒ1.8 ( http://www.amazon.com/...00007E7JU/ ).

Ok i don't know much about the Canon models so i will just go over the two Nikon cameras you mentioned.

as you probably know, the D3100 is the new and improved D3000; it has more features and overall it's a better value for your money (the D3000 is $550 where as i just bought my D3100 for $580 on amazon; love it! )
the D3100 was a great buy at it's original price of $700 and is an even better buy now.

i do know that entry level Nikons are specifically beginner friendly cameras. The D3100 has a guide mode that lets literally walks you through anything you want to do until you learn how to use the camera.

like i said before, i don't know much about the Canon models so you'll have to rely on other answerers for those reviews.

Sony A390 and then a Minolta 50mm f1.7 or Sony 50mm f1.8 lens.

I would recommend for Nikon D3100

My first option would be the Canon EOS Rebel T2i, you should get a http://shop.usa.canon.com/..._171462_-1, my second option would be the T1i with the same extra lens for the T2i. If you want a lens for sport - shooting, get the Canon 75 - 300 f4 - 5.6