I'm thinking of going for the nikon at this moment in time... Might try to haggle a bit...

Welcome to YoP! Sturobinson

Out of the two you mentioned the Nikon D80 - not only is it a better camera, but it will come with a decent lens too. The canon 400d's kit lens is not as good as the nikons, so expect to spend another £200 there making the cost very similar.

That was the main reason I went for the Nikon D40 because it's kit lens is better than the canon 400ds.

Also, have you thought about the Nikon D60?

Out of the three, I would go for the d80 if I could afford it tho - it's the best camera of the three and when you take into account the lens a bargain compared to the 400d.

You KEEP saying that Azz, but I disagree ...

That's just what I found when I was researching them Mel. Also, most 400d reviews hardly ever showed pics with the kit lens for the review! Yet when they reviewed the 40D they'd use the kit lens - that did make me wonder why they didn't use the kit lens tbh.

Anyway, people can make up their own minds be seeing pics at pbase:

Canon 18-55 kit lens (the one that comes with the 400d):
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/canon/ef_s_1855_35

Nikon 18-135 kit lens (the one that comes with the D80 at the above price):
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/nikon/a...5_35_56g_if_ed

Nikon 18-55 Kit lens (the one that comes with the D40):
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/nikon/1...i_af_s_dx_zoom

(click on 'more' to see more pics taken with those lenses)

It may just boil down to personal preference, but I find the Nikon kit lens a lot sharper (esp full size pics).

Its all down to personal preference. When I visited a Zoo, my boss spoke to a proffessional photographer who was there, he said and I quote "I wouldnt spit on a Nikon!" yet I spoke to somebody at the Otter place the other week, who said he couldnt get on with a Canon!

Canon to me (especially having had 2 Nikon compacts) are much more user friendly and the 350/400D models are excellent for smaller hands (not that mine are!!) and perhaps women, in comparison to Nikons which are more heavy. Bazza on here is perfectly happy with his Nikons as I was my compact Nikons, but I can honestly say, Id never want another, like I say, personal preference.

I find that reviewers are often biased though Azz...some of the pro Canon mags are subsidised by ...Canon ...and the same for the Nikon reviews .. I have taken some stunning shots with the kit lens that came with my 350d (18-55mm) and it takes great wideangled shots ..I want to see spectacular pics taken by an actual Nikon owner using the kit lens and then maybe I would agree

Alot of mine taken with the D50 were with the kit This was one of them....

i have a D80 and love it to bits !! i had a choice between canon D60 and nikon D80 , decided to go for this coz it was lighter and now i say "nikon everytime !!" lol think it doesnt what camera you have,it how you take the picture that matters ,i even use film SLR aswell... yes also a nikon !
take a look at my pictures.with 18-135 lens

these were taken in auto
http://yophotographer.com/page.php?t=1288

I got the Nikon D80 today at Jessops.

It's on charge at mo... hope we get some nice weather tomorrow so i can try it out.

I just need to sell my D50 now... to make me feel better about spending so much money. If i can cover most of the costs by selling my Apple mac G3, Guitar, Nikon D50, and my PC then i'll be happy.

Welcome to the Darkside Stu