I want to buy a DSLR, nikon d3100?

I've checked out the nikon d3100 and i liked it (even though i don't know much about cams lol) but i don't know if maybe there are better dslr, i'm a beginner.recommendations?

i want a camera thats good for portraits, i will be using it a lot to take pictures of my self (with the timer of course lol)

Refurbished one for $480
newegg.com
very good store
no tax or shipping

The D3100 is a great camera for beginners into the dslr world. It will give absolutely brilliant shots and amazing video quality. It sure would be your best bang for the buck. For the lens you'll have to figure out according to what kind of photography you want to do, the one i'd suggest that is inexpensive yet gives outstanding quality is Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AF Nikkor. Read this review for the Nikon D3100 to aid in your decision:

http://www.amazon.com/...2Q4KNDSWK/

I've looked around and this is the best price i could find for it:

http://www.amazon.com/...003ZYF3LO/

For the lens, check out for discounts:

http://www.amazon.com/...00005LEN4/

I've had the Nikon D3100 for almost a year now, and love it! It's a great camera, typical of Nikon. In my opinion, for the price there isn't a better DSLR. The Nikon brand has the most lenses to choose from, which adds to the value.

Now any DSLR is capable of good portrait shots, sport shots, landscape, anything, but what really makes the picture look the best is a good portrait lens. The lens matters more than the camera. So pretty much, any DSLR with at least 6 megapixels will suffice. But the lens is where it gets tricky. For Nikon, a lens like the 50mm f/1.8 would be good. Since the aperture is f/1.8, it opens wide, letting in more light quickly, resulting in quicker pictures. So it's good for any type of lighting.

I always buy all of my gear from Amazon, because it's still from the manufacturer, it just goes through Amazon!

Nikon D3100 competes with the T3 from Canon. For portraits, any DSLR will be good, plus for much more. D3100 has higher max ISO, less noise, better video, so it's a better deal.

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