Nikon d40, d60, d90 vs Canon XT, XS XTi, XSi?

These are all great cameras, and if you get any one of them, they will not hold you back from producing great images.

What I suggest is if possible, go to a retailer and hold each of these cameras and try changing the settings to see which has controls that you prefer to use and are most comfortable with. This is because you reap the most benefits from using an SLR camera when you operate it in manual mode... and you can miss the opportunity to get a great candid shot if you take too long getting the settings right.

The next thing I would suggest that you consider is your budget. You will want to budget towards being able to buy the following:

1) Camera

2) Required lens(es) for your style of shooting

3) Memory card(s)

4) Carrying case/pouch/bag

And important optional items to consider:

5) Tripod (if you want to do panoramics, clear landscapes, and night shots)

6) Polarising filter (if you plan to shoot outdoors under bright sunlight often)

7) Extra battery (if you plan to travel and don't want to be caught without battery power)

8) Additional lighting (if you want to do professional looking portraiture)

A Nikon D40 is a great camera. I personally shoot a Canon XSi; but I know people who shoot both Canon and Nikon and cannot say anything bad about either system.

Another thing you might want to consider is if any of your friends and family already shoot Canon or Nikon... if you choose the same, you may be able to swap some pieces of gear and extensions... as well as experiences and help.

Search for reviews and read more than one on each item. Reviews can be wrong, so don't trust just one.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

All these cameras you're looking at have received excellent marks in tests and reviews, the D40 was introduced some time ago and the only question you raise yourself is the megapixel count. After using a digital SLR with the same 6 Megapixel sensor myself (Konica Minolta 7D) and you're into landscapes and nature like I am, you will really want to have 10 Megapixels. In landscapes and nature photography that really counts when you want the little extra sting in the pictures you take. I agree I'm not so impressed by the megapixel race as there is a lot more to it, but if you like to do a real enlargements its useful. I use a lab here in Sweden that deliver 20x30 inch or 28x40 inch photographs for $16 respectively $32 US and I really need the extra megapixel in that case. Although I can agree that if you have 10megapixels in a SLR as the sensor is larger, its not neccessary to go to 14 or more. Last reviews I read the Nikon D60 toped the Canon but they are fairly equal.

It doesn't matter which camera others suggest, you need to find the one that is right for you. Go to a good camera store and try out some of these. Handle them and see which is the easiest to operate. You will know the right one for you when you hold it in your hands.

Nikon D90 is great to get.It take great great pictures and can take video.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ENOZY4?ie=UTF...

If you are on budget Nikon D40 is excellent DSLR camera with cheaper price.http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KJQ1DG?ie=UTF...

All of them are good cameras and there is not a one in the group that will not perform well for you

You say you are aiming towards the D40. The Nikon D40 is a great entry level DSLR its easy to use, nearly weightless gives good pictures at a good price, So My recomendation is to get that and use the money you would have put in a better body on lenses tripod and or speedlight. In the long run you will get more mileage this way and when you do outgrow the D40 and are ready for a new camera body there will be new cameras out that surpass the bodies you have to choose from today but with Nikons comittment to backwards compatibility all of the accessories you get for the D40 will most likely work well with the later camera

Firstly, you need to set a firm Budget. You are considering the D40 to the D90, a difference of over five hundred dollars. In short, if you have one thousand dollars to spend, you should, by all means, get the most you can. People always give me thumbs down when i suggest the D90 over the D40/D60, but trust me, the D90 is the better camera, and is just as simple to operate as they are. The D90 offers more features, and better quality. I highly suggest you get the D90, with the 18-105mm VR lens. You will get better image quality, live view ( which you don't get with most of those other cameras ), and the ability to record HD video ( which you don't get with any of those other cameras ) The D90 is the better camera. You can get a good deal here, it's an amazon.com link.

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D90-Digital-18-105mm-3...

Either the xti or xsi.

Nikon D40 doesn't have the auto-bracketing feature, which comes in very handy when you start making HDR photographs.