I have a canon 400D and think it is a great beginners camera..
Although, I have never picked up a Nikon camera so I wouldn’t have a notion how to compare it..
But even so, the 400D has been an excellent camera for me so far and im sure it still will be for the next half a dozen years:D;)
Then it’ll be another canon:D The next camera has to be a canon too though caus I’m about to buy the F/4L 70-200 and it’d be a rite waste of money if I switched in a few years time..
So, that said, I think the canon is a great camera(some brilliant deals floating about atm too!) but then again I don’t have baldy what the nikon is like..
All I know is that if your on a pretty tight budget, this is going to be a damn important desision..
Don’t forget the D40 is being replaced by the Nikon D60.
Actually, no… The D60 replaced the D40X, the D40 is staying.
I understand your dilema though BlackBlade, I also went through the same choice buying my first DSLR last year. I finally went with the Nikon, just felt and worked better for me… it’s really down to personal choice. At the end of day, both cameras are evenly matched with pros and cons.