[Steve]

Either the Canon or the Nikon would meet all your requirements and as Dab has mentioned in the kit form the Nikon has the better lens as standard. Two things to consider very carefully before you buy are how the cameras feel to you (in your hands) the controls, the menus, the size and the weight, if any of those are wrong using the camera for long lengths of time will become a chore instead of fun. The second one is the price and range of accessories that interest you for the future, at this point you are not tied into any one manufacturer but once you buy a body and one or two lenses for most, they will stick with that brand, this means their lenses, flashguns etc and the prices that they want to charge for that stuff. Look at the big picture and consider both of these points while looking to buy and you wont go far wrong, both cameras are very capable.