ok so the quick and simple is im new to photography. Ive been doing art photos for 10 years but I guess what im more new to is the feature sets of cameras. So ive got some cameras im considering but my two main considerations are canon and nikon. I dont want to go further than those two. I love both and have used both in the past. Now Ive got several cameras im looking at and i seriously need help. Ive been looking for a good dslr and also a good digital pocket point and shoot i can carry when my dslr just wouldnt work with say the nightlife and on those nights when i just want to dance instead of lug a dslr around.

So if you can help me decide Id appreciate it. These are just a few considerations. By no means permanent. I would love any feedback anyone can give me on the canon or nikon current models. Preferably the most recent midrange to professional models if you could because i find entry level just does not have enough features to warrant a $700 dslr when i could get the canon g10 for about half that.

digital cameras in range from cheap to expensive

nikon coolpix L20

Canon Powershot SX110IS

Canon Powershot G10

Canon Powershot SX1IS

Nikon D90

Nikon D300

Canon EOS 50D

Canon EOS 40D (i had heard it does much better quality shadowing and darks than the 50d)

Ok those are my current faves right now. No i dont own any of them but they seem very good. Howver I have no experience with using Canon or Nikon DSLRs except a Canon XTI I played around with at a best buy once. honestly as far as a compact im almost dead set on the g10. But for dslr i could use some help. For me it comes down to which camera would breathe the most life into my photos. I dont really care much about feature set vs. value as ive researched that. Im asking more on the side of reliability and the quality of the parts and of the photos. Im always going for the next photo that someone will see in a gallery and it takes their breath away. Thats what got me doing photography in the first place. I saw a piece of art so beautiful i literally cried right there (yes i know im totally weird) but thats me.


OK thanks to all and if im posting too many journals well im sorry. Just go back and read the others if you really want to read them. I cant just stop my creative flow at the whims of someone else. I do apologize if it seems im being an ass by saying that. But creativity doesnt strike me as often as it should. So i take advantage of when it does. And please if you can let me know what you think about the cameras I WOULD REALLY REALLY APPRECIATE IT.