I would get a Canon or Nikon as your base. Then you have a lot more choices down the road for lenses. I personally use a Canon T1i, and am very happy with it. It is not as full featured as say a D series, but I purchased two nice lenses for it, and am very happy with the results. I also got a 50mm 1.4 which is so much fun to play with.
Correct. Sony isn't a bad camera product, I just don't think they can compete with Canon or Nikon.
The Canon T1i is a solid camera body. We also have the 50mm 1.4 lens and is works great - just know it's not the fastest focusing lens - especially in low light.
Keep in mind that unless you get good/great lenses - your camera body will only be able to create the level of portraits your "kit lens" will allow. My best analogy would be someone with 20/20 vision looking thru a dirty window - not the most effective.
Glass is always where I recommend making the investment. Camera bodies come and go - but your lenses should last you forever - the good ones that is.
As far as Canon vs Nikon, generally it's a toss-up. Canon has better glass. Nikon has better flashes. I think the camera bodies are relatively equal - although having been around both, IMO, the Canon menu system is
much more intuitive.
Regardless, you can't go wrong with either brand.
