WoooHoooo, my boss rocks :)

It looks like thanks to some discusions with my boss (because I haven't had a raise in 3 years), not only am I getting a raise, but they have offered to buy me my new camera :). In return, I just have to agree that if I leave the company in the next year, I have to pay back the price of the camera. Sounds good to me :).

Of course, that prompted me to move up a step in what I'm getting, I'm going to be getting the Minolta Maxxum 7D that I wanted to begin with, since the budget has grown a bit!

It's still a 6.0 megapixel, but the versatility and the image stabilization functions built in make up for any perceived problems with the lower resolution :).

I am SO psyched!!!!!

Okay, so I'm not getting the Minolta, they'll only fund $750 towards the camera.

Looks like I'm back to the Canon/Nikon debate.

I'm leaning more towards the Rebel XT at the moment.

I should have the check from them next week some time (I think).

Canon and Nikon are two very good choices. I prefer Canon. Many photo veterans prefer Nikon. But IMO, Canon has is more on the cutting edge as far as digital goes. They have made greater advances.

But it's a very old debate that I've seen argued multiple times on www.photo.net.

You won't go wrong with either one. They are both better than a Minolta, in my opinion.

It seems to have the best feature set. It's 8.0 megapixel, has the speed/instant-on of the Nikon and the clarity of the CMOS sensor, so I think it's the best choice, pluse I have a buddy that works at Best Buy, so I can buy locally and get the same price as I would for mail order. That way if there's a problem I have no issues at all.

I wouldn't say they're better than Minolta though. The Minolta stuff is just as good IMO.