First time SLR camera?

Well I'm 14 and want to get into photography, so I'm looking to buy my first Digital SLR camera (:
I don't know whether i should go with Nikon or Canon and what would be a good starter camera?
my budget is probably between 500-1000 dollars

I'd go for either a Canon or Nikon but don't get steered away on an Olympus buy - definitely not user friendly!

A Nikon D3100 or Canon Rebel will fit the bill.

All dSLR's are basically the same. It does not matter what brand or model you get. If you know how to use one, you can use them all. The advantage of Canon is the number of choices of bodies and lenses to choose from and the huge number of stores selling them around the world. The advantage of Nikon is its technical nature like easy access to controls even on their low end models. The advantage of Sony is styling and ergonomics and add to that the availability of superior Carl Zeiss lenses which can be used on it. The advantage of Pentax is its high level of compatibility to all lenses made for Pentax ever - future, new, old and prehistoric.

Canon and Nikon are top brands. There are other emerging brands too, but currently those two are at the top competing for the first place. Any entry level cameras will suffice. (hint, "entry level"), go to your local store and ask for an entry level and there are various ones they will present to you…

if you do buy them, it also depends where you get them from… Store, or online? There are cheap places online (some are grey market though -- sorry if you're getting confused more)…

I think Nikon has better beginner DSLRs than Canon. Try the D3100, it is a great beginners camera.

You can consider Canon EOS Rebel T3 I purchased the Canon EOS Rebel DSLR camera a month ago and I absolutely love it. I read all reviews on a few dslr's and finally made my decision and I have no doubt that I made the right decision. The main reason I wanted this camera was to take sporting pictures of my cousins kids, I needed something that wouldn't blur where its not perfect its 10 x's better than my old digital camera. The lighting has alot to do with it. I have noticed that if the lighting is not good then don't use the sports setting, use the manual setting it uses the flash and takes good pictures.