what is fact is that the lower end canon digital SLR's offer far more features than the cheap nikons which TBH im not all that impressed with. Even the older and slightly better D50 can only have an ISO of 100 minimum.. which is no good whatsoever if its a bright day and you want a slower speed.
The implementation of mirror lockup is a pain too... i think nikons only start getting seriously good when you look at cameras like the D200 which is utterly superb. But then for only a little more money theres the canon eos 5d which in my overall opinion is the better camera again, having a full frame sensor and bomb proof build.