I think the D80 represents a great value for the features that it offers. However, if some of them are not important to you, then perhaps a D40 would be better for you. Its much cheaper, provides great image quality and a little lighter so it's better suited for travelling. I chose the D80 over the Xti because the handling and the build quality was much better. If you're comparing the D40x to the D80 as I was for a long time, I'd still go with the D80 because it doesn't have the limitation on lens compatibility that the D40/x has...it can autofocus only with AF-S and AF-I lenses which means anything else you would have to manually focus it yourself. Still there are a handful of AF-S lenses out there if you really want the D40.

The weight isn't that bad once you get used to it. If you're looking at other entry level DSLRs at a lower price then perhaps a Pentax K100D would be a good choice or an Olympus E410...very small but has live preview. Just remember when buying a DSLR camera, you're buying into the camera system (lenses, flash etc) and each company sorta specializes more in specific lenses when compared to other companies. I felt Nikon offered the best choice of lenses and found in my area anyways, that comparable lenses are cheaper than Canon's offerings. Pentax makes great lenses too, but they specialize in prime or constant focal length lenses.

Hawaiihttp://picasaweb.google.com/corrsfreak/Hawaii?authkey=QMYfcNocFqQCar show:http://picasaweb.google.com/.../corrsfreak/CarShowMar18?authkey=vdeSQn7a_sgZoo and Ducks:http://picasaweb.google.com/...corrsfreak/CalgaryZooMar17?authkey=DvyRbU989F0..

If you post this question either in the Nikon forum or the Canon forum, you'll get dozens of people recommending one and dozens of others recommending the other. They are both excellent brands, so no wonder they are #1 and #2 in the DSLR world. You can go with either brand and won't be disappointed..

Historically Nikon has an edge on the camera's egonormics, while Canon has an edge on low light image quality. Right now, Nikon has caught up to Canon's quality in the low end DSLR, making the Nikon D80 a better camera overall (However it's also more expensive. If you can afford the D80, I recommend it.) On the high end, however, Canon still rules the land. No DSLR from any brand comes close to the full frame Canon 5D or the super fast 1D Mark III. If you see yourself being a professional photographer later, staying with Canon will allow you to upgrade to a professional camera while keeping your lens collection. Canon also has the largest range of professional lenses as well..

If you don't want to spend much money, a used XT is probably the best camera you can get at it's price. I myself own the XT, and previously the original Digital Rebel. There is just too much discussions at the hairline differences between different brands. The truth is that photographic skills will triumph whatever advantage there is between brands. Buy any DSLR that you can afford, then learn about photography. For someone looking for "creative control", I believe that a DSLR is for you, because that is just what's so lacking in the point & shoot world...

Im torn between -Nikon d80 -Canon rebel xti - (those 2 are maybe tooexpensive for me but I can go the extra mile if they are reallyworthy.

Maybe....

On the other hand, I heard that the xti can be a little shaky.

In the images).

No way! Don't know where you've heard this but it definitely isn't the case..

The other 2 are Nikon d40x -canon rebel xt..

Basically the D40 and Canon XT are the entry level cameras. They don't have the 10MP sensors that the D40x and XTi have, but they should be fine. They'll be a significant step up from a point and shoot and taek a while to learn..

If you're more ambitious and think you're going to make big enlargements, the D40x and XTi are great..

If you fancy a bigger body with a couple of extra functions, the D80 is worth looking at..

But, small differences in resolution aside, the pictures you get from each will be pretty much as good as each other..

So go to a store if you can and try them all out. Only then will you know which you like..

Androohttp://Androo.smugmug.com..

Unless you're planning some very large prints try a 6Mp DSLR. A 6Mp DSLR will get you to A3 size. You might save money and it sounds like you've no urgent need for the higher resolution...

You need to try the various DSLRs. Basically the only major thing that separates one form another is ergonomics. As how well you shoot is pretty well defined by how comfortable you are with the camera, the handling and feel are what counts..

Go to shops and try them all..

StephenG.

Fuji S9600Fuji S5200Fuji F30Fuji E900Canon A710ISPCLinuxOS..

Or be different...get a sigma sd9 or 10 2nd hand and learn to work for super qualityThanksAndy.

C'est La vie..

Rules....

1. Pick the one that feels good in YOUR hands and has the controls designed in a logical/intuitive to YOU..

2. Pick the lens(es) first...then the body..

3. Pick the community with the people you like. If all your friends have C's, don't buy an N. This one is often overlooked. N-people and C-people are incompatible..

Charlie DavisNikon 5700 & Sony R1CATS #25PAS Scribe @ http://www.here-ugo.com/PAS_List.htmHomePage: http://www.1derful.info'I brake for pixels...'..

Don't get hung up on the details. There are no dramatic differences between all these cameras. You're new to this and the small advantage one camera has in a particular area versus another will not matter as much as you think. The lack of available lenses on the D40 might be a bit of a problem, but other than that these are very capable cameras. Go to the store and spend an hour or so playing around with them. Then just buy one and don't look back.



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Mike.

Http://www.liquidartgallery.com.

'For every complex problem there is a solution that is obvious, simple..and wrong'..