Most entry D-SLRs are very capable to produce great images these days. But if you like to take a lot of sports or fast action photos, then a faster camera body with better AF may increase your keeper rate and your chance to nail the peak moment. But you need to consider whether the extra costs of a mid range or pro camera body is within your budget.
Most of the thoughts when buying a D-SLR should not be just the camera body. You should spend some time to think about what kind of lenses, flashes, strobes, and other accessory equipment you may need for the type of photography you want to make. These will make a bigger impact on your photography than which camera body or brand you pick, and will cost more than your camera body. Things that you will need:
A wide angle lens for landscape
A tele lens for sports and wildlife (as a nonpro, I have a 70-200mm f/2.8L IS lens for my son's sports and a 2x tele extender for the very occasional widelife photo on trips, this works quite well for me).
A external flash
A good tripod
A polarizing filter
A neutral density filter
There are many other accessories to think about
If you like portraits, then you may want a portrait lens that has 85mm equivalent focal length and an aperture of f/2.8 or larger. And if you want professional studio look, then will need to invest in a strobe/monolight system and some reflectors and backdrops.
Any time you want to capture actions in low light or at night, you need to spend extra money for a good fast tele lens that will cost more than twice your camera body. So the camera body should not be the center of your thoughts, or the major part of your budget.
I have wanted to upgrade to a dslr for quite some time now. My birthday is coming up and I am thinking about buying myself the Canon Rebel T3i. I got a Canon point and shoot last year and love it. But I am now needing a dslr. I was just wondering what other people's thoughts are on the Canon Rebel T3i. Or even any Rebel. I have done lots of research on this camera and think it is right for me but am open to any other suggestions. I am planning on going further with my photography and would like a camera that will last me a while. I do sports, wildlife, landscapes, and pets. I would also like to start doing portraits. If anyone has some pros and cons (or any other information) on this camera I would love to know. Thanks!

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