Nikon D50 or Canon Digital Rebel XT?

Is the Canon Digital Rebel XT really a better camera than the D50? Sometimes I get this impression from reading reviews, and other times it seems they are about the same. Initially I wanted a D50 because of the price, but I see that you can find a Digital Rebel on eBay for about the same.

I've read the downfalls of each camera, and the fact that the Digital Rebel doesn't have great weatherproofing bothers me, especially since I live in a rather snowy climate. But then I have to wonder if the D50 is the same and that I've just not read anyone talking about it. Is this a common issue? And is it really that big of a deal?

I guess I also just have to ask about general image quality. If taking pictures on default settings using both cameras, are they about the same?

For now it's kind of a toss-up with me. I'll probably just end up buying the D50 from a trusted dealer, if the differences are not vast. I'm also mostly a lamen, so if the Digital Rebel just has extra features that I probably wont understand, then it's not a big deal.

And for the sake of vanity, Nikon is just sexier. :sleep:

Honestly, its a toss up- image quality is excellent for both, they both resolve quite well, 6 vs 8mp is honestly practically nothing in real terms. The D50 does not have full blown weather sealing (you would need say the Nikon D200 to get this cheaply) but it is very similar to the D70, and I took my D70 out in a HURRICANE (Katrina, then a category 1) with no ill effects (and no covering).

The D50 is excellent at High ISO, requires less post processing out of the camera than your average DSLR, and aside from great metering, good ergonomics, good build, and a great flash system, has such pluses as amazing battery life (depends on your actual usage, but it is similar to the D70 in terms of power usage, and I have gotten in excess of 2,000 shots on a single charge ).

The Rebel XT feels to me like a toy. To be honest, I recall my childhood quite vividly since i'm still a few months shy of 18, and I still have toys from when I was <10 that were built better than the XT feels.

I also like the Nikon command dial system, as with the D50 and all other cameras you can always be adjusting them (the D50 has one, higher ups have 2, similar to the XT vs. higher up cams) without taking your finger off the shutter.

Looks are important, your feel is also important. The system each comes with is big and nice, I personally prefer Nikon's. I've got a huge investment in it now and I am not disappointed in the least.
My advice is try out both and see which you like best. Most people I know that do this walk out with a D50/D70/D200 rather than a Canon.

I'd always trust a genuine brick and mortar or highly reputable online dealer versus ebay except for a very very small number of sellers- and most of those are just outlets of brick and mortar places.

Thank you so very much! My gut feeling has been to stick with the D50. I see no real reason to not get it.

Beyond technical differences, Canon just doesn't feel right to me. I can't really put my finger on it, but perhaps it is justified.