Oh.. the choices,Canon T3i and Nikon D3200.

I took a few photography classes in high school, we used film cameras so we learned how to actually develop film and I learned a lot about taking photos without the ease of editing. Don't get me wrong, I am all for editing. Photos may be a 9 without photoshop, but you can boost them to 10 with it. I love taking photos. I always have. I have hard drives at home filled with thousands of photos that I've been taking since I was 14.
Over the past 8 years I have only owned Canon point and shoot camera's. I loved taking photos, but didn't have the ability to take the photos that I really wanted. I wanted full control. Which led me to the ultimate decision that I need a DSLR.
I've been looking and browsing over the past 2 years but not very seriously. Then about 2 months ago a camera bug bit me hard. I started obsessing over cameras and researching beginner DSLR cameras that were in a price range I could afford ($500 - $600). After much reserach, the 2 cameras I was ultimately comparing werethe Nikon D3200 and Canon T3i.
I made a goal that I'd pay off my credit card and then save up for a camera. My credit card 1 month ago had $580 on it, today I only owe $173.71. I have been praising myself too much over that, but it is pretty rad.
With this goal I had time to research, so instead of making a fast decision, I could get the camera that is perfect for me.
I came across many tables comparing the 2 cameras. They were very straight forward like the one below.

I have always owned Canon's and thought for sure that is what I would end up with. With the more and more research that I did and that I came across, the features I wanted most were in favor of Nikon. Like megapixels, video performance, auto-focus during videos, and wireless capabilities.
The 2 cameras are held very close in comparison. There are plenty of sites that are in favor of Nikon and plenty that are in favor of Canon. The other thing to consider is that I don't own any Nikon or Canon lenses or accessories. If I already had a DSLR I would stick with the same brand for the ease of interchanging.

In conclusionHere in a few months (maybe weeks)... I will be the proud owner of a Nikon D3200.

Do you have a DLSR camera, which brand do you shoot with?

Sources:khttp://nikond3200bundle.com/2013/nikon-d3200-vs-canon-t3i-comparison.htmlhttp://www.cameradebate.com/2012/canon-rebel-t3i-600d-vs-nikon-d3200/http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-T3i-vs-Nikon-D3200http://www.2cameraguys.com/Canon-EOS-Rebel-T3i-vs-Nikon-D3200.htm