What DSLR camera should I purchase?

I'm planning on purchasing a DSLR camera in the near future. I'm a little stuck contemplating between getting a Canon or a Nikon SLR. I'm trying to stay under the one thousand dollar budget but I've noticed it's really hard to get a really good one that's inexpensive. Buying the extra lenses and memory card, etc also cost more however if the camera is good enough then I guess it'd be worth it. I've taken a look at the Nikon D3100, if anyone is familiar with that model please let me know if it's a good choice. It's my first choice since I saw it for under $800 and some of my friends say it's reasonable. The other model I been speculating about is a Canon T3 Rebel. The T3i is a bit pricey so I guess I'm gonna stay away from that… Or, who knows maybe it's worth it? : /

I will suggest you to buy the Nikon D3100, the quality is quite good, and it is reasonable

Try looking at a pawn shop or something.trust my friends and I have come up for shopping at pawn shops and buying used online…
i prefer canons myself. The way i see it is canons are like chevy, and nikons are GMC. Haha
this is the website where i got most of my stuff.http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?mxp=1000&atclk=Category_DSLR+Cameras&ci=6222&mnp=0&N=4291645407+4291570227&cm_sp=Filters-_-Category-_-DSLR_Cameras
i filtered it a little already.canon, slr, 0-1000 bucks.saw a t3i camera kit for 850.

I like Nikon brand, what i have now is a Nikon D5000, so far so good, i have bought it for more than half year, it is a 12.3MP DX SLR digital camera with 18-55mm lens, the quality is pretty good, i know that price falls to $599 with free shipping, you can have a look at here：

I can only comment on Nikons as that is what I own. For under $1, 000, you can buy a D3000, D3100, D5000, D5100, and a D90 - with a kit lens.

The differences?

Within the last year, three of the cameras have been discontinued, but you can still find them. In a few months, they will all be gone.

The D3100 has replaced the D3000
The D5100 has replaced the D5000
The D7000 has replaced the D90 - but the D7000 is more than your budget.

At the worst case, the oldest camera design is only around 3yr old, but a lot of improvements can come about in 3 years.

If it were me, I'd chose between the D3100, D5100, and D90.

The reason I specify the D90 is that while it is older than the other two, the picture quality between them is about equivalent, and the D90 is a higher class of camera, and will give you additional capability, such as an internal motor-drive for lens focus (can use AF-D and AF-S lenses), as well as remote controlling external flash capability.

Also the D90 kit lens is a 18-105mm lens, while the others are 18-55mm. So the D90 will give you a bit more reach on the telephoto end.

While initially the D90 would have been above your budget, since the release of the D7000, they have been on discount for under $1, 000. While it is a bit older design, it is a great camera for the price, and it's the one I'd buy.

But I'm a bit biased as I have the D90 that I paid over $1, 000 for awhile ago.

Under 1 thousand dollars? Don't worry, great DSLRs are even the cheapest ones, they're all the same thing, some just have more options and other stuff that you need when you're a pro.

Nikon D3100 is the best beginner model out right now, good that you're already aware of it. Canon Rebel T3 is it's competitor (not completely cause it's cheaper, but it's near) and while it offers less features, it's still great.

T3i is actually competing with Nikon D5100 so don't worry.

Nikon D3100 + Kit Lens that comes, then a memory card for ~$20 and that's it. Lenses and other stuff come later when you really see how DSLRs work like.

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