I've played with a few different DSLRs, I've personally owned a D300 rebel, a 10d and now a 30d. As most of my lenses(and I have quite a few) are canon mount, I don't have much interest in much else. I am really impressed with the Nikons though, and would consider one if I didn't have such an investment in canon garb. I've used a D5, D70, D80, and D200 and I really like the feel and ease of use of the Nikon. I've been using canons for quite some time so I'm used to the quirks, the Nikons were almost self explanatory. My only gripe with the Nikons is that, as many folks on the web have noted, at really high ISO the nikons are quite a bit noisier than the Canons. I played with the Sony A100 for about an hour, was thinking of borrowing it for longer, but did not like it. I was on vacation and left my canon at home. My choices were to use my wifes pentax S7 or borrow my friends Sony. I returned it after about an hour of dinking with it. I just didn't like the feel, the function(where the hell is the WB? oh burried in a menu as that other reviewer noted), and after looking at some of the pictures I took, I remembered why I liked my canon so much.

 

Sure enough.

I don't like the Alpha because it's a Sony and because I am not famililar with the lens lineup. For Nikon, the 17-55 f/2.8 + 70-200 VR is a great combo to go along with their primes. For Canon, the 24-70L, 70-200L, and their longer lenses are superb.

As for the 400D, I don't like it because it feels small (the 20D already feels small enough...I prefer my 1DMk2N and 5D over my 20D so the 20D is relegated to being a travel camera). The 20D also has shutter speeds of 1/8000 whereas the 400D is capped at 1/4000. The 400D is 3fps versus the 5fps on the 20D. If you have money for a 30D, then you get the 100k actuations shutter life and the customizable burst rate (3fps or 5fps).

 

your list matches your screen name LOL!

 

i've worked with and sold digital cameras esp. dslrs for the past 2 years. and quit recently right before the alpha100, d80, and 30d came out. the general gist i've received and given to consumers is this:

"you wanna learn how to make good photographs and grow with it? stick w/ canon or nikon. take your pick... but both have their pros and cons from each other...... you wanna take some good photographs w/ some growth and/or mainly for simplicity and easy w/ an all in one package? then go w/ sony."

though this "sales pitch" i gave is very generalized.. it is mainly true esp. w/ the dslr family. yea sure the sony has the "super steady shot mode" but theoretically all it is, is that it takes smaller image of the frame that you currently see and therefore should you "shake" the camera... the image would seamlessly float over.

good luck on your choice and happy shootings.

 

Nikon and Canon are just the top dogs in the dSLR world. You can't go wrong with either one. Canon seems to be slightly further ahead in technology, probably because Canon is just a much larger company.

It's like choosing between the stock Evo and the stock STi, just personal preference

 

just saw this:

Nikon D80 10Mpixel 18-35mm $1208, Oct 20

AbtElectronics.com has 7% off most products with code: FALL2006 Exp 10/22 - Excludes Apple, Bose and select other items. Tax in IL, IN, MI, WI.

Nikon D80 Digital SLR Camera With 18-35MM Lens - D80OUTFIT $1208.07 shipped Free.

 

Dell has the Rebel XTi body right now for 639.

 

i decided to go with the Canon 400D (XTI) did some backyard shots that turned out WONDERFUL. im just so excited i wont have rolls and rolls of film building up for months.

thanks for all th info guys, ill post up some pics later