Which camera and lens combination should I get?

You're right, the cameras I was talking about are beginner DSLR's. I think when I was writing it I may have been thinking in comparison to the compact point-and-shoots I have at home.

I was looking at the Canon 60D but I read that the T4i (650D) was meant to be an advancement to the 60D rather than the other way around. I agree that the Nikon D5200 would surpass the Canon T4i most likely but I have read reviews that said the T4i beats the D5100 and that the D5200 is a better equivalent between Canon and Nikon.

Then again all of my information is coming from the unreliable source we call the internet so I could be completely wrong. I am definitely going to commit myself to photography and try to get to know all the features rather than use auto. Thank you for helping, you've given me a lot to think about!