I'm torn between a Nikon 31000 and a Sony Nex-5?

I'm going to buy myself a DSLR to be used for my travels. So basically, the camera will be used to photograph sceneries, still shots and the like. And oh, I also like to make videos once in a while. I own a digital camera but I want better quality pictures since my good ol' digicam can't give me the 'blurred-in-the-background-of-the-subjec… Effect that a DSLR can. I'm a newbie when it comes to DSLRs so a good advice will surely help.

Everyone would really say the Nikon, for a beginner I would really say the Nex-5, I just got one and it's amazing, just like a point and shoot just so easy to use. I would really recommend this, I just don't know about lenses if you get more, I guess you need special ones, I heard you could use your old ones too. I would be stuck too.

Now the Nex is a SLR, I would really get this one as your first, see the videos and details here: http://www.sonystyle.com/...1666192672

I would really buy this, I honestly don't like what people are answering because this is a new one and breaking the bulky hard to use SLRs.

Sony says: The NEX-5 has all picture quality of a DSLR, yet it's about half the size, half the weight and far less complex. Pulling off this minor miracle took some clever innovations in glass, silicon and software code.

This camera IMO is the best starter for photography, it even has a built in photography dictionary, I suggest video research too-

I agree, and it's all on you. I would get this.

A Nex is not an SLR! It is a souped up compact, probably rather awkward to handle but of excellent quality images. An SLR is easier to handle. Go to a shop and try.

For an objective opinion on a sony product it seems a bit silly to quote sony.

The Nex series is an interesting development and they are capable cameras. BUT…

The viewvinder is still electronic and therefore not quite as fast as an optical viewfinder.
The system is still rather new and not yet mature. The lens lineup is minimal. Yes, there's an adapter to use sony alpha lenses but that lineup is not much better.
The formfactor is not as thought out. Yes, with a small lens it's a nice camera but anything bigger on it and you have major balance issues.

Nikon's D3100, for that is the correct name, is a truly impressive beginners camera. Good ergonomics, like all nikons, good sensor, video, a useful guide mode. Add a 18-105 zoom to it and you have a nice do it all combination. Add a very affordable 35mm f1.8 and you have a nice general purpose setup that can do wonderfully blurred backgrounds.

Well the two cameras you picked are certainly different.

I think if you visit both camera companies websites you will see that Nikon has many more lenses available as a system as well as for the D3100 (AF-S lenses)

Faster, medium telephoto lenses will give you the opportunity to use selective focus, what you call "blurred-in-the-background-of-the-subjec… Effect" which is actually an out of focus background. Blur is caused by camera or subject movement at slow shutter speeds. This technique is available when using the correct lens and technique on either camera.

If the video feature is important to you, only the Nikon D3100 has Full HD video (1080p) and can use auto-focus while in the video mode

I find the Nex-5 difficult to hold, especially when using telephoto lenses

You should hold both in your hands before you buy either one