What are your thoughts?

[CameraClicker]

I'm currently looking into the Nikon D5200 but I don't feel as if I've done enough research so I tried going for a broader question to see if I should continue to look further. I actually already tried holding the D5200 & the D5300 at Target & Best Buy but idk... I just didn't like the feel of it. I'll probably get used to it, the more I hold it but I was more comfortable holding the T3i in my hands. So conflicted...

All the major brands take a good photo. How new or old the sensor is, is not very relevant unless you are going to push right to the limits of the technology. How it feels in your hands matters a lot!
Visit a well stocked camera store if there is one in your area, if not, go back to the big box stores. Turn off image stabilization, look through the viewfinder and watch what you are pointing the camera at. Is it staying still or jumping around in the viewfinder? If you can't hold the camera still, you can't get a good photo. Usually the most comfortable camera to hold will be the one you can hold most still.
The next most important thing is that you understand the camera's menu system. If you are fighting with that, you are not concentrating on composition. So look at the menus, check where the controls are and how well your hand can reach them.

An entry level camera will serve well. I still use a Canon T2i a lot. It is light, so it can be carried further. If I need to shoot important things in low light or will be shooting irregular motion I may choose to use a higher body model.

 

[goodguy]

Alright. I'll take a look at the lens that each camera/manufacturer offers and see where to go from there. I'll probably end up making a new thread with details as a last "check". Thanks for the advice!

Both Canon and Nikon make lenses for all range of needs and prices, you really can get all you need from both these makers and the image quality these lenses can produce is very close when talking about lenses of equal price and quality.
When looking into lenses I would also recommend loking into third party lenses, some of them are much cheaper and just as good as Nikon or Canon, some third party lenses are actually considered better like the Sigma 50mm Art lenses.

 

[Kanthaka]

All the major brands take a good photo. How new or old the sensor is, is not very relevant unless you are going to push right to the limits of the technology. How it feels in your hands matters a lot!
Visit a well stocked camera store if there is one in your area, if not, go back to the big box stores. Turn off image stabilization, look through the viewfinder and watch what you are pointing the camera at. Is it staying still or jumping around in the viewfinder? If you can't hold the camera still, you can't get a good photo. Usually the most comfortable camera to hold will be the one you can hold most still.
The next most important thing is that you understand the camera's menu system. If you are fighting with that, you are not concentrating on composition. So look at the menus, check where the controls are and how well your hand can reach them.

An entry level camera will serve well. I still use a Canon T2i a lot. It is light, so it can be carried further. If I need to shoot important things in low light or will be shooting irregular motion I may choose to use a higher body model.

I don't know of any camera stores in my area. The only places that I usually go to in order to look at DSLR's are either Best Buy or Target. I did some searching online though and there seems to be three camera stores downtown. I'll try to make my way over there... somehow. xD

 

[xzyragon]

You could always get a crop sensor camera on the cheap with good full frame compatible glass (not sure if it works that way for nikon). If you end up not needing a full frame camera, you aren't out the 1k+ you spent on the body alone, and have some nice glass to go with your camera. If you do upgrade, you already have all the lenses for it and can pawn off (or keep) your crop sensor body.

But I know you can get a 7d body for around $600 or $700 used, with T2i's / T3i's at around $300 to $400. Match that up with a 24-70 for an all-arounder or some 35mm / 50mm / 85mm primes if you like narrow DOF's or primes, and you're set. Your only pitfall is if you want something on the wider end. There's no UWA's for crop bodies that have comparable focal lengths on a full frame camera (that I'm aware of).