Choice between Chevy and Ford. If you want detailed list of differences then
check out http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sidebyside.asp

We can see that because the topic has been discussed ad nauseam before.

They are certainly not at the top end but at least for Nikon there are some
which are way better than what you would expect from a kit lens and offer a
very good value for the money. And then there are some which are not so
great. Sorry, but you will have to be specific about _which_ kit lens you
are talking about.

jue

Both models are excellent, so it will come down to "look and feel." Both of
those models also have very good kit lenses (on the Canon side, be sure to
get the IS version of the 18-55 lens) so that's a tossup. Hold both, see how
they feel, and get the one you're most comfortable with.

The Nikon 18-55mm lens is quite adequate, but I have heard reports that
the Canon equivalent is not so good.  I suggest you visit a camera shop
and see how the two cameras feel to operate, and perhaps how the menus
suit you.  Do you need to operate the cameras with gloves on, for working
in the cold, for example?  If so, try it in the shop.  I recently bought
the Nikon D40 (preferring the smaller pixel count) with the 18-55mm and
55-200mm image-stabilised lenses.  I've been very pleased with the camera
and lenses, their operation, and the results I've got.  Very good value
for money.  If you buy from the shop, see if they offer a 30-day
money-back guarantee.

Cheers,
David

Nikon recently (like just a couple of days ago) replaced the D40X with
the D60. As far as I can tell, the changes are pretty minor, but just
something to be aware of.

That said, you might also want to look at the D40 and the Canon 400D.
Also consider the entry-level models from other makers like Pentax.
There's not going to be too much difference in the numerical specs, and
unless you're planning on making big (bigger than 8x10") prints, any of
the models will have plenty of megapixelage, so don't worry about that.

Instead, try to find a store that stocks the different cameras that
you're considering, and try them out. See which one feels most
comfortable in your hand. Which one has the controls in the easiest to
reach locations. Etc. For instance, a lot of people who have large hands
find the Canons to be a little bit on the small side to hold
comfortably.

It varies.

-dms

I got the D40x for Christmas and love it. It is a little simpler to
operate than our D50, but has all the features I need (aperture
priority, manual, auto or manual focus, and many other features)..

I like the lens that came with it because of a unique feature. I do a
lot of table top and scale model photography.  These require closeups,
but at a normal or slightly wide focal length.  Many zoom macros only
macro at the longest focal length.  This lens has the macro feature at
all focal lengths.

The camera was cheaper than our D50, and has 12 Mp, considerably more
than our D50.  The D50 is my wife's camera that I had to beg to use,
so she got me a D40x :-)

If you're new to photography, I'd advise buying
a "good" compact, and learning more, before
shelling out that much money.

It would be "a while" before you hit the limits of this:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_a570is.asp
for example.

If your interest persists, you'll want a better DSLR
system than $1000 will get you, if it doesn't persist
you'll have wasted $1000.

  BugBear