Warning: beginner looking to buy a d-SLR camera

Hello All

Looking to buy a d-SLR but beware I'm rather long winded.  If you scroll to the bottom the bullets are the shortened version

So I've always been blessed with wandering upon beautiful scenes, but been cursed with the improper equipment and/or skill to immortalize them.  I'm one of those crazy people who will pull over to the side of the road to take a picture of a sunset, and I'm getting sick and tired of the picture I take missing the vibrancy of color of what I see.  Also I love to take wildlife and candid shots as well as architectural pictures but few turn out as I would like.

For me photography is more an enjoyable hobby than a strict passion, but I have plans to visit New Zealand with my little brother and want to bring back memories.  So I've decided it's time to upgrade my equipment from the cheap digital camera I have and do some more research into photography.

What little research I've already done has let me know that I'm horribly behind the grading curve when it comes to technique and vocabulary, but after reading through some of the forums I've decided that what I needed to do was lay down my preferences and ask some simple questions.  I've done a bit of research and think a d-SLR might fit the bill but would still like a second opinion or more.  Here are the facts.

I've only ever used your generic point and shoot digital cameras, so I'm definitely not ready to try out a pro model that requires a dark room to develop pictures in.

I don't care how heavy the equipment is, but would prefer to not have to carry around more than the body and 1 or 2 lenses of whatever model I buy.  Over 10 lbs of equipment would be a bit much though for something that meets all of my requirements I'd be willing to lug it. And I will be lugging it around with me so marginal weatherproofing would be nice but not required.

I'd like something with a decent shutter speed since I love catching objects (animate or inanimate) in motion, but at the same time I like to take landscape photos where I understand shutter speed is not as important. Not sure how much of a factor low light would play since most of the pics I hope to take are from the outdoors.

I'm not a prude who insists on buying new as long as the equipment works.  But would it be better if I did buy new? My budget is definitely below $1500, and I'd like to get the body and at least 1 lens for that price

I've heard a bit about software but and still completely inadequate on choosing one. Any pointers?

I don't really care about movie quality, if I wanted that I'd be looking into buying a video camera. Neither do I really care if it has all the bells and whistles people seem to expect from all electronics these days. As long as it has a timer so that I can take pictures of my brother and I and an LCD that I can then view the pictures I've taken on I'd be happy.  Removable memory ports would be an added but highly sought bonus.

So broken down, that's:

• Under $1500 for lens and body (used is fine)
  
• For both landscape and full-motion pictures
• Good picture resolution 
• x3 zoom and/or the ability to hook up a telephoto (correct term?) lens
• 10 MP or better
• SD card ports
• Any software information highly appreciated
  

On to the products I've looked at:

• Nikon D3200: Truthfully after reading about the "Guide Mode" offered by this camera I was just about sold but decided I really did need to get an educated second opinion.
• Nikon D5100: Have read good reviews but think it may be more advanced than I can handle
• Nikon D800: I know it to be just about double my price range but will admit to have greatly considered it before deciding that it, to is more advanced than I can handle
  

I've looked at a few Sony and don't think they are my preference, and none of the Canon's caught my eye like these 3 Nikon's did.  I have definite plans to visit a store to get some 'hands on' knowledge of which one brand feels best, but for right now my personal preference seems to hold with Nikon.

I hope to be buying my choice within the next 4 months so no real rush for information, but all help is highly appreciated, and if you have any info on good site to find trustworthy information on please don't hesitate to let me know about them.  I will be browsing through the forums for the next few weeks trying to see if other people have had similar questions to mine just in case I don't get any answers

Have a wonderful day! ^-^

Nemandi -T