I was planning on buying a digital SLR for my girlfriend for Christmas and have been looking into a few different models. She is an art student and has been wanting one for awhile, but I don't really know a lot about cameras unfortunately. My budget is probably around the $600-$800 range (Canadian dollars).

I was initially looking at some of the entry level ones such as the Nikon D5000 and the Canon EOS Rebel T1i which are both currently on sale at Black's website for $600. Another one that looks quite similar (but I'm not really sure what the exact difference is) is the Nikon D3100 which goes for almost the same price.

http://www.blacks.ca/blacks/jump/pro...d=7372&bauth=1
http://www.blacks.ca/blacks/jump/pro...d=8890&bauth=1
http://www.blacks.ca/blacks/jump/pro...=31395&bauth=1

These are both kits (with lens). The main thing I was having trouble deciding was whether or not to spend a couple hundred extra to get something like the Canon EOS Rebel T2i or the Nikon D90 instead. Are these cameras really worth the extra money? The Nikon is on sale at $830 and the Canon at $850.

http://www.blacks.ca/blacks/jump/pro...d=8744&bauth=1
http://www.blacks.ca/blacks/jump/pro...=30500&bauth=1

I really don't want to spend more than $850 when all is said and done, but if the models in the $800 range aren't worth the extra money, I might just get one of the less expensive models.

Thanks very much for all the help.