[MSidPhoto]

Hmm.....you do have a problem at your hand, hope we can all solve it.

Firstly, I don't intend to confuse you or anything but have you checked out the new Sony A550. It is a much better camera than A350. One advantage of Sony is that it enable you to use most of the accessories of the old Minolta SLRs which means that quite often you can get really good stuff at cheaper prices. Another advantage of Sony DSLRs is that the have a built in Anti Shake feature which both Nikon and Canon lack. Nikon and Canon have Anti Shake feature in their LENSES which make the lenses pretty expensive.

Nikon D90 is a really great camera too. The Nikon D90 would definitely be "my " favorite choice. Although the Canon 50D is a much more professional camera with a much longer range of "professional" features. But that is the question ! " DO YOU REALLY NEED SUCH A HIGH END CAMERA," and if you do get it will you be able to learn on it easily. Let me tell you that I think Nikons are quite a user-friendly compared to other. Although i don't know much about the user-friendliness of Canon 50D.

If I were you, I would most probably go for a Nikon D90, because it is a medium level camera....and also fits within the price range you have written.