I need a photographers opinion?

I was hoping to buy a DSLR for summer when I go places. I'm at a beginners level, but I know enough to work the camera. I just don't know if the Nikon D3100 or The Canon Rebel T3 would be a better choice.
Nikon is 14.4 MP at 599 and Canon is 12.2 MP at 599.So they both are the same price but Nikon has a higher MP. Except Canon shoots videos. So which one do you think is a better investment?

There's no way you can tell the difference between 14.4MP and 12.2 MP.

Ignore the megapixels and compare the rest of the features to decide what you like more.

NIKON also shoots video. It's a matter of personal preference really. Go to a shop and handle both, see which one feels best.

Since I use a DSLR as a photography camera and a camcorder for video, I automatically ignore the video aspect. As far as the megapixels go, you won't notice a difference between the two cameras.

There really is no all around "best" camera. The best camera is what feels natural in your hands and that you know how to use properly. Both Canon and Nikon make good cameras.

That is why I always recommend visiting a camera shop and trying the different cameras out to see which feels the best (size/weight/control operation) in YOUR hands.

Just pick the cheapest, they are both excellent
I have a nikon D300 and a D3X
One of them has double the mp of the other and there's no way you could spot the difference unless you make massive enlargements

The amount of pixels is immaterial at your level.
Both do video.

here is a side by side comparison
http://www.dpreview.com/...ikon_d3100" rel='nofollow' class='ext_link'>http://www.dpreview.com/...ikon_d3100

Best thing is to go to a store and handle both of them and see which one you like and can handle the best.

Summary of previous answers;
Ignore video (you want to take pictures not video)
2 mega pixels won't make much difference.

and to add - look at the quality of the lenses you can afford with either option (both have a vast range) the lens you get will affect the picture quality more than the difference between these two cameras.
So first understand what makes a good lens for what type of photography you wish to do. Sorry if I have made your decision harder but thinking about this now saves money in the long run. Oh and the lenses are likely to still be around (if they are quality ones) long after the camera has been replaced.

Between these two cameras then Nikon has a slight advantage overall for the price. The only downside is that the Nikon is a little more limited if you start buying lenses. The Nikon doesn't have a built in motor for autofocus, so you are limited to buying AF lenses that have the motor built into the lens. Its not a big deal if you are just going to use this as a starter camera or just for casual use. I personally feel the Nikon controls are more intuitive. Here is a real good side by side comparison of the two cameras. Have a fun summer!

http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/side-by-side?products=canon_eos1100d&products=nikon_d3100