The sensor is better on the D3200 than the D5100. I would probably only get the D5100 over the D3200 if he wanted to do a lot of video (the D5100 has a swivel screen). If I didn't have much money and had no camera, I would personally get the D3200 and 35mm f/1.8 instead of the kit lens. Of course, lots of people would rather have a zoom lens than a lens that they can use indoors without a flash.