DSLR choices: Canon Rebel T3, Canon Rebel T1i or Nikon D3100?

[London3]

Hey there, thinking of investing in a new DSLR and have narrowed down my approx price range and where I stand. I THINK My choices are:
Canon Rebel T3:
http://www.henrys.com/63826-CANON-REBEL-T3-W-18-55-EF-S-IS-IIBLACK.aspx
Canon Rebel T1i:
http://www.henrys.com/23781-CANON-REBEL-T1I-W-18-55-EF-S-IS.aspx
Nikon D3100:
http://www.henrys.com/61709-NIKON-D3100-W-18-55VR.aspx

I have heard people swear to each of those 3 and tell me the other 2 are useless, ive had people say flip a coin. Just putting it out to the studio audience to see if there could be a consensus :P
Those (i think?) Are my 3 choices. Coming from a sony a200.
Any input is much appreciated, and if there is one missing I should be looking into, let me know and I will toss it up there.
Thanks in advance!

[PR3Y11]

How about one of those compact dslrs. Easy to carry around and still be able to take different lenses

[DualSoul]

Have you handled any of them? If not, do so, as that may sway you more in one direction vs another. Also curious why you're looking to buy into a different system, considering you had the a200.

[Freakzaz]

Here's some comparison stats that may help you out:

Canon T3 vs T1i (http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-T3-vs-Canon_EOS_Rebel_T1i)
Canon T3 vs Nikon D3100 (http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-T3-vs-Nikon_D3100)
Canon T1i vs Nikon D3100 (http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon_EOS_Rebel_T1i-vs-Nikon_D3100)

Based on the choices, the D3100 seems to be the best choice (even though I'm a Canon user haha), though the T1i would be a close 2nd. Good luck with whichever model you choose!

[London3]

How about one of those compact dslrs. Easy to carry around and still be able to take different lenses

Considered those, but I would miss the fully bodied design. Not to mention a lot of them done even have viewfinders, and an optical viewfinder is a must for me.


Have you handled any of them?
Yep, have handled all 3 and the T1i feels the nicest in my opinion, VERY close to the D3100, but the T3 seems too light/cheap compared to the other two. Also switching systems because sony is slowly phasing out their fully bodied DSLR line, and I wish i would have gone with a canon/nikon to start with. Have a 75-300 alpha mount lens (which would be a waste) but I figured I would just try to sell that. Have the option of going with a (significantly cheaper on all points) Sony a390, but I feel like im buying tech thats 2 years old at that point just to salvage the zoom lens.

Thanks for all the help, at this point leaning towards the D3100.