Dorset eh?
Another candidate for one of our UK get together photo sessions !

Right, either will be fine. Not the answer you wanted?
The advantage to the Sony is the image stabilisation is built into the camera, that means you don't have to buy expensive IS lenses.
They technology worked in the Konica cameras I have, and Sony bought them out for some reason

The advantage to the Canon is the self-cleaning and dust protection.
They are introducing less expensive IS lenses in their kits too, perhaps to challenge the Sony/Pentax/Olympus models with stabilisation in the camera.

Remember you're buying into a system, not the camera you buy today.
More lenses, dedicated flash units, remote releases, remote control software - all of that is manufacturer specific.

The only way to tell is to use Jessops and get your hands on the cameras
You don't have to buy it there, just use their handy high street shop as a demo centre !
Get your hands on the two cameras, try the controls, feel the weight, and the size.
Decide which one suits you.


For me, it was Canon over Nikon.
The Nikon lens focussed the wrong way - well opposite to any lens I'd used before.
The control wheel on the Nikon was in an uncomfortable place, Canon felt right.
Even though the Nikon fitted my small hand better, I couldn't get used to the controls.