[Dave]

Although a Nikon man & the D80 is a cracking camera, so also is the 400D for the money. As stated by others you can't go wrong with any of these cameras. In group tests from Photography magazines the Canon & Nikon always come at the top, so you have to balance that vs costs.

Another option for you is a second hand Nikon D70 ....around £250 mark on EBAY & absolute bargain for that money. That would leave lots more money for lenses, giving you more chance to get all the lenses that you need to cover the diverse shooting you want to do.