Thanks for your kind comments Rob.
I am also a Sony fan, I guess, as I'm typing this on a Vaio and also play with a PSP, use a Clič as a PDA and so on; My compact camera (a DSC-V1) is by far one of the best point and shoot cameras I ever had - specially when you master the manual controls. When I drove to the shop to buy a DSLR I actually had in my mind the 400D, and actually even ordered it. In the check previous to the payment, I could also try an A100 and I really liked how it felt in my hands, much better build quality than the Canon... etc. Of course I already read all the reviews about the 400D, the A100 and the D80. As my previous film Reflex is a Pentax I didn't have any preference regarding using again old lenses... and I have plenty of mstick duo memory cards I can use on the A100. So I changed my mind and finally purchased this model, despite there are things in Sony I don't like at all - not so happy with my Vaio as a laptop - and use a Mac as desktop.
I completely agree with your point of view though - sharply describes the most common case. In my situation after studying photography at the University (that's what my major is about) I know most of the pro or sub-pro cameras are very good and it's more about how much power can you unleash from them as a photographer what helps producing good shots, and also after all the favorable reviews and knowing its weak points... thought, why not?
Edit: The quick reply function doesn't seem to be working...