Sam
As my friend Jerry Brown likes to say "It's not the camera -- it's the system." You can't compare the features of the D70 vs the Digi Rebel, for example. There will be a Digi Rebel 2 and a D80 (or 75 or 90 -- whatever) this year. Here are some things to compare. 1) Lens systems -- both vendors have consumer and pro lenses -- which will cost you more and are there features that you want / need / like. 2) Accessories -- do both systems have remote releases and battery grips, etc. 3) Technology -- here's the REAL crystal ball subject. Canon has really invested LOTS of money in prefecting their sensors. Nikon has been buying other people's sensors and they seem to be committed to the APS-sized sensor.
The reason you look at the system is simple -- you buy one body and a lens today. Tomorrow it's a couple more lenses, then some dedicated accessories... Pretty soon the body dies or a new spiffy upgrade comes along (ex: 10D to 20D). You're not going to sell out all your other gear just to get a different body -- only to sell it out again when the other guy has the newset mousetrap. THAT could get expensive.
I'll throw you a curve ball -- Olympus. The 4/3 standards have lots of great ideas -- and I believe that the ratio of the sensor DOES make a difference in the image captured and delivered. Olympus has the E1 for the high end and hte E300 for the low end. So -- take a careful look at that before you invest.
Whatever you buy this year will be obsolete next year and die within 3 years. So plan your path -- don't just buy a body.
Bob
Speaking of bodies:
