Good Nikon or Canon Camera under $1000 with lens?

Hi, I'm new in professional photography, but I'm looking to buy a good camera under 1000$ with good lens preferably. I'm choosing like most of us between Nikon and Canon cameras. More interested in Nikon. Just maybe because most of my friends have canons, just want to be different. Any help will be appreciated.

I'd look at a Nikon 5100…

First off, it's not professional photography. "Professional" means that you earn a large share of your regular income with it, i.e. You do it for a living. Using a DSLR that professional photographers might use as a backup camera (they use $1, 800 - $42, 000 ones) does not make you a professional photographer. But that's just to get the terminology straight.

Anyway, it might not be a terribly good idea to buy a different camera brand just to be different. You won't be able to share lenses and other equipment with each other then. Well, i wouldn't lend my lenses to anyone else anyway, but for e.g. Flashes that can be a serious limitation.

Also be aware that the lens is more important than the camera, but it's generally a good idea to start with kit lenses to find out what kind of photography you really are into.

Is video a requirement for you? This may change the list of options somewhat.

Cameras that i would consider are the Canon (European name / American name) 1100D / T3 or 550D / T2i. The 600D / T3i is just a 550D / T2i with a swivel screen and an additional flash feature, but significantly more expensive, so i'd skip it.

On the Nikon side, consider the D3100, D5100 or the older but still very good D90 (the predecessor of the D7000 and currently still available new and at very attractive prices)

Also consider the Pentax Kr.

I think most of us like Nikon best.

BUT I just got a new Samsung. I wasn't thrilled at first because I wanted a Nikon but if you didn't know it was a samsung, you probably would'nt know the difference

It digital and has 14.6 mega pixels. Great for close-ups but lacks in distance like almost all digitals. You would need a different lens I believe.

It's around $600-800. Mine was at a discount. Amazing photos. It's a great camera for those learning/starting out. Mines a digital camera and i'm still figuring it out. There are so many functions.

Btw, it's features are really cool/ One feature allows you to take 30 photos in one second. It has optical image stabilization and all that cool stuff. It recognizes faces too. Oh, and amazing video.

Check it out.

The Canon EOS Rebel T3i Digital Camera Kit provides you with the T3i body and a Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS II lens. You'll be ready to shoot from day one with this set-up. Just charge the included LP-E8 battery pack and pop in an SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card and you're ready to start making photos! And should you want to expand your selection of lenses for the T3i, all Canon EF and EF-S lenses are compatible.