Is the Nikon D7000 good? Should I go for it or the Nikon D3100?

I'm a beginner photographer. Should I go for the Nikon D7000 (which is KINDA out of my budget) or just buy a Nikon 3100? And use nicer lenses?
And what types of lenses should I buy? I'm TOTALLY NEW to lenses and I need an SLR camera so help me out?

Especially if you're just starting out the D3100 will be more than enough camera for you and with the exception of low light situations the photos will be just as good.

As for lenses I'm using the kit 18-55mm Nikkor on my D3000 and it's a cheap but very good lens.

So my recommendation would be to get the D3100 with the kit lens (maybe get the 55-200mm as well if there's a deal that includes it). You won't be disappointed with that setup. And it'll leave you in a good place to decide what type of lenses you want/need once you know what you enjoy photographing.

D3100 is lighter, cheaper and both have same image quality. Video is same too. So if you don't need 6fps of Nikon (for sports photographers), then you're just fine.

Here's a post called 'Buying a DSLR, what's important, megapixels, features, brand, price, quality and which one to buy - http://www.the-dslr-photographer.com/2009/03/which-dslr-to-buy.html

Good luck! The site has many more tutorials, tips, reviews and guides!

The D7000 is a very different camera to the D3100 - but they are both very good.

For what you will probably use it for from your initial question, I would suggest that the D3100 is ideal. It is small, light and takes a nice picture.

The only drawback you may want to consider or factor into your decision process is that the D3100 uses a slightly different lens mount to the D90, D700, D300, D300s, D700 and D3's. These cameras use the 'turn screw' focus system, whereas the D3100 uses a motor in lens system. I think you can still manual focus though.

In real life, what does this mean? Well, just consider in years to come if you get bitten by the photo bug that any D3100 lens may not work with a higher specification body. In the bigger scheme of things this is probably not going to be an issue.

I would go for the D3100.