Thinking about a DSLR Camera Purchase - XSi vs. 40D vs. D90

[D]

So in light of my other thread regarding my dead Sony DSC-F717 camera, I have been thinking of buying a replacement camera.

Did a lot of reading and researching and for the money I want to sink I think my choices are the Canon XSi and 40D and the Nikon D90.

From all the reviews and stuff, the consensus appears to be that Nikon has a better menu layout and is a bit more intuitive to use. There are some features that are available on the Nikon that are not available on the Canon and vice versa but nothing that jumps as critical to me.

I have no lenses so I dont need to stick with a brand. I have made up my mind that I am also only interested in a Nikon or a Canon.

It appears that the XSi now has basically the same image processor as the 40D – so I expect pictures will be near identical.

The D90 has video capability but seems so crippled and non user friendly that it is not a consideration.

So basically the XSi will cost about $570 for the body, the 40D will be about $800 and the D90 will be about $840.

I have pretty much decided on the XSi but wanted to make sure that I am not missing something critical that will make me "have to" go out and buy a more expensive camera soon thereafter.

Thanks for any help and opinions.

[D]

I think I have decided between the XSi and the 40d but cant seem to figure out if the $240 body difference is justified.

[Jeremy]

Tough call, even as a Nikon guy I would shy away from the D90, the pictures simply aren't as sharp as those taken with the cheaper D40 / D50 bodies.

[D]

I ended up with a 40D. So far real happy with it and no regrets. The biggest decision maker for me was that I had picked a "starter" lens which was roughly $400. If you added that to the XSi, it ended up costing the same as a "package deal" i found for the 40D so off I went.

Thanks for the comments.

[Th4R4t]

im also thinking about buying a DSLR, Canon or Nikon.. havent decided yet

[D]

I like my Canon. Jeremy can chime in on his Nikon experience. Even w/o using a Nikon extensively, I am pretty sure that the menus are a bit easier.

[Th4R4t]

yea read that far already that you cant say which one is really better, more like "choose the one that you find easier to use"

[D]

I like the Canons personally, but I also went with a more expensive one. I guess you need to choose how much you want to spend and what you will use the car for. If I went with a less expensive model, I probably would've gone the Nikon route. But at this range the only other alternative was the D90 and I didint think it was worth the premium. Also, one of my friends has a Canon so we get to swap lenses here and there so that helps.

[Th4R4t]

thinking about 450D or 40D.. saw some nice packages on ebay for 890euros or so

[D]

I got my 40D for $900 with a lens on sale around Christmas. The biggest reason I went with it is because it came with a lens I wanted and I was going to buy anyways, and if I had to get the 450D with the same lens it would've been the same price. Do a search on google and you might find something. Obviously mine was new. If you think of any questions, feel free to ask.

[Th4R4t]

yea dunno really if i should go with a brand new 450D or 40D or maybe a 350D which is used, or maybe also still new :/