What would you choose? Nikon, Canon Rebel. SLR camera?

Nikon & Canon both make quality cameras. Being a long time Nikon user, I'd go with the D60.

They are both excellent starter DSLR cameras. Just remember which ever one you buy...you are committing to the brand(unless you sell all your lenses and accessories). I personally shoot with a Canon 40d. I own 5 canon lenses now so I probably will never go to a Nikon. That being said I think Nikon is just as good as Canon. Both are good companies which make quality glass and cameras. Which ever one you decide on don't make the decision on the camera make the decision on the lenses you want to eventually buy. Your main investment will be in the lenses which maintain their value much better than the body. Your going to have to do a little bit of research yourself because both cameras will work for you. A good resource is www.B&H.com , www.dpreview.com they have numerous reviews of lenses and body's you can check out.

Hey, Well, you have a few models below 500$ - Canon EOS XTi - Canon EOS XS - Nikon D40 - Nikon D40x - Nikon D60 I'd personally recommend yout the XS, because it has Live View, 10 megapixels, is great for beginners (just like all other too) and is not too expensive. Image quality is great, the camera is light and small. I have an article on my blog about' Which DSLR should I buy', what's important, what's not, features, megapixels, and in the end I recommend some models. Here is the link - http://the-digital-photographer.blogspot.com/2009/11/what-dslr-should-i-buy.html

well there is a few people about me already mentioned most of the stuffs i wanted to say. personally i think both camera brands, Canon and Nikon made very nice camera. I'm a Canon user, have been using their powershoots and some D-SLR and currently own a Canon 50D rebel XS and D60 both are good cameras, here is a website of the comparison you can take a look: http://www.digitalreview.ca/content/Nikon-D60-Compared-to-Canon-Rebel-XS-1000D.shtml no major difference between them, the only concern than you have i would say is the "shape" of the camera. you said your local store won't allow you to test any of the cameras but I hope they let you feel the cameras. just touch it and hold it in your hands and see how they feel, both shapes and buttons feels and located differently. and one more thing i need to say is, if possible, buy the camera body only and save a couple more bucks for a better lens. the kits lens that come with is good but not that good. a normal walk around lens that for the canon xs would be "17-50mm F/2.8" of course if you have a limited budget, you can stay with the kits lens =) but just keep one thing in mind, an excellent camera without a good lens is worthless, but a good camera with an excellent lens give you awesome photos. wish have fun with you new camera!

Make it short and sweet- Nikon because it has really good features and good (better) picture quality. My friend has an xsi and I have a d60 but mine outperforms it.

I would go with Canon. I've used a D60 and a Rebel XSi and the XSi was SOOOO much better.