Which digital SLR for under £500?

I'm going on a 6/7 month trip to India/Asia/Australia and am looking to buy a good digital SLR to take some pictures!

I'm a complete novice but am hoping to read a few photography books. My budget is £500 as I don't want to be carrying anything more expensive with me and I'm sure there's no need anyway.

I'm considering a few options.

1. Spending ~£250 on a Nikon D40 or Canon 400D with standard 18-55mm lens
2. Spending ~£160 on a D40 or 400D and then a better quality lens though I wouldn't know which one.
3. Spending £430 on a new Nikon D3100 or maybe even £490 of a 550D (though this is a little expensive). These 2 have the advantage of doing video which I'm sure I would use in the 6 months.

Which option would give me the best quality pictures for the best price? And also any cameras in between to consider?

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

I recommend one that I own and know to be excellent - the Canon 1000D. I've had mine for over a year with excellent results.

At it's current price, in pounds, you should have room left for a nicer lens than the kit that comes with it.

Best bet would be a new or used D3100. I would suggest a D40 but you said you needed video capabilities. Get rid of the kit lens and invest in the 35mm 1.8.it will auto-focus on your camera and can be used in low light with handheld shutter speeds. If any cash is left over look into an off camera flash such as the SB-600. Join Flickr and do some reading on the appropriate groups for the equipment you purchase.

For you, I believe that the Nikon D3100 is the best choice. The kit lens is good, and the camera includes video. All for a good price!

Cheap body.

Sony A200. Minolta, Sigma, Tamron etc., lenses off eBay.

The advantage over the Canon is that All lenses will be image stabilised as the Sony has IS in the body, not the lens.

http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/index.asp

You can consider Nikon D3100 18-55vr Kit

14.2 megapixel DX-format CMOS image sensor delivers lifelike images with vivid colors and reduced noise
EXPEED2 image processing engine provides enhanced movie recording, high-sensitivity performance and maximum image quality
High ISO (100-3200) light sensitivity - manually extendable up to ISO12800
D-Movie - full HD (1920 x 1080) movie clips: record beautiful high-definition (HD) movie clips with sound
GUIDE mode: quick and easy-to-use in-camera assistance