Disclaimer: All of this is totally my opinion. Not hear to start a Nikon vs. Canon war.

Both are fine cameras and great companies. Think about where you want to go. If you may at some point even have the possibility of moving to digital choose Canon. Currently, the Canon digitals are better than Nikon. Where Nikon was excellent was in there flashes. Canon is improving them and saw the latest camera and now are on par if not better.

Dennis