Neatus wrote:
My 2 pennies here. I am a fan of the lower end Nikon series DLSRs. the D40 and D60. The otherr DSLRs from Canon and Sony in this price range seem pretty good to me as well. My aunt has the Canon Rebel I think and my friend has the Sony Alpha. These are all the models for around $600 bucks. They all turn out amazing pictures but the Nikon is just the one I like to hold in my hand. It just feels way better to me than the others. I have also use a Nikon D70(not produced anymore) and I really really really liked that camera. As for point and shoots. I have had four in the last 5 years. My most recent one was a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500. I kept this one on my pocket all the time including when I washed it one day

It just depends on what you want in a camera. Honestly, I can't help but want and even better camera now that I have seen how great pictures can be. I will be stepping up here soon to a higher end Nikon.
Next time you see a sporting or news event on the television, count the white lenses you see in use. Who makes white lenses? Just Canon.
Nikon holds a decent advantage in wide angle photography. When it comes to telephoto lenses, Canon is the only one to use. Canon is weak in the wide angle department, although they do have a few decent ones. Nikon is weak in the telephoto department, although... (see above). The enormous telephoto lenses (the white ones) are hard to even argue about.
You hit on one point that is always critical... the camera has to feel right in your hands when you use it. I never liked Hasselblad for that reason, it just never worked right for me. Doesn't mean 'blads aren't any good, just that it didn't suit me.
It's imperative that you test out a DSLR system to make sure you are comforatable with it... you're buying into a system... your lens(es) will stay with you through several camera bodies, and you'll add to the pile.
Only rarely do you see pros (mostly sports shooters) with both Nikon and Canon in their bags, but it's to accomplish the work... after all, it's a tax write-off for them, and not getting the shot is missing a paycheck.
For those that are just doing it for fun, you have to make sure it's going to be fun, not a chore.