My first slr was a Chinon 35. I had a Nikon Coolpix 8700 for a while and quickly became unhappy with it for lack of control so I started saving for a dslr. At the time tthe Canon xsi was competing with the D80 I think. I wanted the D200 but they were a bit beyond my means at that time and with the same sensor as the D80 it was said the D80 could take just as good of pictures. I didn't know much about digital then and still don't but I went with the D80.
The controls seem pretty natural to me but I've never used another model. I guess it would be like trying to drive a car with steering and controls where the passenger should sit.
I am considering a Canon p&s though.