And the question impossible to answer: Nikon or Canon?! prove it to me!?

Well, I usually try not to take sides on this ever lasting Nikon vs. Canon fight. But since you asked.

If you haven't read the amazingly detailed reviews on dpreview - take a look

Nikon:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40x/

Canon:

http://www2.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos400d/

If that's too much for you to read, jump to bottom line of both:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40x/page27.a...

http://www2.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos400d/page...

You'll notice that the cameras very closely rated in most parameters, within 0.5 a point of each other on most!

All that said.....

Here's a link that may be a deciding factor for you as far as the brand choice goes:

http://www.jdpower.com/electronics/ratings/digital...

J.D. Power rates Nikon as beating all competition, including Canon hands down on all parameters in customer satisfaction.

Well, I said I usually don't take sides - but that's what you're asking me to do... I have a Nikon D80, which is one level above D40 in the ladder, and for what J.D. Power ratings are worth - I'm 100% happy with my camera. Never had even a thought crossed my head that I shouldn't have paid a price premium over Canon to get that Nikon camera! The Nikons do cost a bit more! When I was up to upgrading my outdated Olympus E-10, I first considered lower priced Canons, but then a couple of friends convinced me to invest in Nikon. I never regretted following their advice.

But the final call is yours.

LEM.

Both cameras and companies are of equal quality. Go to a good camera store and play around with both. The one that feels best in your hands and is easiest to control is the one for you.

Both companies make excellent lenses so I wouldn't worry about that. Most pros use either Canon or Nikon so it really is just a person preference.

It really doesn't matter what WE like. The important thing is what camera YOU like. Don't go by what people here say, because Nikon people will tell you Nikon is best, and Canon people will tell you the same about Canon!

So, please go to a good camera store like Ritz, and handle these cameras. Try taking some pictures and see how the camera feels in your hands and how easy it is to reach the controls.

Both are great cameras, and you won't go wrong with either one! Have fun!

You will not be unhappy with either camera. If you have not used a digital SLR before, it's best to study the manual (you can view / download them at http://www.canoneos.com/ or http://www.nikonusa.com/ ) first.

(I am glad you did not boast about getting the most expensive model (Canon $8,000, Nikon $5,000) just because you've the money to do so.)

I had the original Canon Digital Rebel and it was and still is a great camera. Moved up to Canon 5D a few years ago. It's overkill for a lot of people if you ask me.

This is useful. http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-pa...

How about Olympus? The digital Zuiko lenses were designed digital and are top notch. They are among the best rated lenses out there. The patented dust reduction system to keep dust off the sensor and in body IS that means all lenses are IS lenses.

My son and I each have a Nikon D40x. We both are very pleased with this camera. I do a lot of wildlife photography and my son does a lot of sports/action shots. I have nothing bad to say about it. It's very easy to use and you have a lot of options with modes etc.

Depends on what you want it for. What type of shots