I compared both and bought the D70s.
- the kits lens was a factor.
- the D70s felt better in my hands.

I had been a Canon user - A1, but the lens were not useable on a
digital Canon.

Compare here  -
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos350d/page21.asp

The D70s is an upgrade to the D70.
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0504/05042003nikond70s.asp  

Jack

Hi animesh,

you need to see the results from both cameras to really have a better
idea. One person likes this style, another likes that. At the end of the
day, as long as you are happy with the feel, and features are adequate
for your needs and to grow into), isn't the final image quality the most
important thing?

This is a group for people to help one another. Why not tell us what you
usually like to photograph (people, animals, landscapes,etc) and then
owners of those respective cameras post some images for you to review on
their web space, and decide for yourself.

I have found some of the photographic reviews misleading. Too many
technicalities and not enough evidence. What I mean is, a camera will
get a rave review and then the sample IMAGES say otherwise.

I have a friend with a D70s and his images are noticeable grainier than
the Canon I have (not a 350D), so I personally would not be happy with
that quality. It might be absolutely perfect for your expectations and
needs? Look at some images and don't get too bamboozled by hype and
"technical" reports. Just make sure it does what you need it to do and
the images look good.

If you really want to compare digital cameras, look at portraits. Human
faces seem to separate the cameras from the toys.

Regards,
Brian.

Honestly I bought mine on a bit of whim and they had the both there. Having
been a long long time EOS film camera user, I wanted to go Canon.

Realistically I think image quality wise they are much the same. When I saw
much the same I doubt whether anyone here could be shown identical
photographs and pick which of the two they came from.

I compared the two in the store and found the Canon felt like a toy to me,
just so lightweight especially in the kit lens. The Nikon by comparison I
found to be very sturdy and heavy (and I like a bit of extra weight in a
camera) and as you have mentioned the standard kit lens seems really well
engineered and solid. I really like the Nikon user interface, but presume
Canons is much the same.

Honestly...i doubt you can really tell  the difference so go with what feels
right, it's just a camera after all, it's not like you're adopting a child
from the third world.

But aside from the weight, you know the thing that really turned me off the
Canon? They only had the model that is silver and black, talk about cheap
and nasty looking....yi yi yi.

Hadn't had a Nikon since the manual focus film cameras (FA, FM2, F3) but
I've been really happy with the quality.

Today  commented courteously on the subject at hand

I investigated and evaluated the same two cameras you are. As
others have pointed out, it is much more important what /you/
think is important or not, what features you like or dislike,
feel, etc.

For me, I went with the Canon because it was about 20-25%
smaller. Some think that is good, some think it is bad. I
wanted something lighter because I plain get pooped out
hauling a heavy camera around.

I wouldn't worry about product cycles, assuming you intend to
keep what you buy for 2,3,5 years, by which time both Nikon
and Canon will have released newer, better, etc. models. So,
my advice is to go with your gut. Pick both up in the store,
play with the controls, etc. And, while lab tests or looking
at sample pics is important, it is still your call

Incidently, I found the viewfinder for both camera to be very
dim, which is bothersome to me compared to an EVF. A big part
of that is the relatively slow kit lens I bought. I intend to
buy at least one other zoom lens, longer, maybe faster. But,
again, only you can decide these things.

One thing I would /highly/ recommend, though: buy local from a
camera store that will let you test-drive it for 10 days with
rights to return it if you're not satisfied. Some stores will
do this, others won't. The store I wanted to buy it from won't
allow returns on any DSLR, just EVFs. So, I bought it from
Ritz Camera. Cost me an extra $50, but it was worth it not to
be stuck with $1,000 I didn't like.

Good luck!

I went with the D70 simply on the basis of ergonomics. The two cameras
are about the same qualitatively. So if the XT feels better to you, get
that.

I no longer use the 18-70mm kit lens. I dropped it last year and broke
the autofocus and sent it in for repair. In the meantime the 18-200mm
AF-S VR lens arrived. It is as sharp as the kit lens and I find now I
do 90% of my shooting with it, even though I have several better lenses
available. This lens is just way too convenient to ignore. So the
18-70mm kit lens sits on the shelf.

I almost got the Canon because of the price, but with a pile of older Nikon
lenses, that would work on the D70, it was a no brainer for me. I got the
Nikon.  It also felt better in my hands and the kit lens got rave reviews.

The viewfiinder isn't up the F6, but I  have not trouble switching
between it and my N90s (which I still use.. haven't given up film
totally)  I find it works well with my glasses, and the built in
diopter adjustment helps a lot.   Its plenty bright with my F 2.8 lens
and I haven't been bothered by its brightness with my 3.5 and 4.5
lenses .

My D70s is to small. I have big hands and find I can hold larger
cameras with long lenses steadier than smaller lighter cameras.  To
each his own on this one. My opionion should not matter.   I dont'
think the size difference is going to make you the invisible
photographer. You will obviously be holding a camera in either case.

I like the controls on the D70s except for the Exposure lock position.  
But this is bad on my n90s as well.... its on the back of the camera
next to the view finder.  There never seems to be a convienent
appendage to hold it.   I have no clue were it is on the Canon.   The
menu is intutive and as are the rest of the controls. I really like the
exposure dial and the two command wheels. Took a little adjustment
coming from the N90s but now I find the N90 a little clumsy.

I like the 18-70 mm lens.   Nice lens.  I don't notice any appreaciable
difference bewteen it and my other lenses.   Big fan of non-rotating
elements when using a half neutral density or polarizer... but guess
what?  most of the time when I am using these, I am pretty well focused
at infinity anyway.

As you can gather, I had an investment in many things Nikon, including
a 20 mm F2.8 AFD, a 80-200 F2.8 AFD,  a Nikkor 105 F4 Micro, a 55 mm
3.5 micro, and 28-85 AFD.  The micros won't work with the D70s so they
were out of the equation.  The 28-85 is not as good a lens as the
18-70.. so it to was knocked out.  The 80-200F 2.8 with Tamron 2XAF
Teleconvertor and the 20 F2.8 are very fine lenses and cost me over
1900 USD when new.  I wasn't about to throw them out or sell them at
some loss.

As far as picture quality, I work in a community theater, several of us
take photos for promos etc.  The other primary photog uses a rebel.  I
use the Nikon,  At normal pring size, far be it from me to tell a
difference.. mine may have better color saturation but I use RAW and do
the processing in Nikon Capture adn Adobe CS2.   I thiink she uses fine
JPEG most of the time.

If I had been buying a more upscale camera at the time, I would  have  
leaned toward Canon (the D200 may have swayed that decision though).  
I bought the D70s late last summer, the D200 wasn't a factor.

The D70s was a pretty major software upgrade and they added some nice
new stuff to the camera.   I suppose Nikon my come  out with a
replacement with 8 MP etc but other than a newer sensor, I don't think
much else would likely change.  The basics seem real solid.   I am very
happy with the D70s.