SLRs have I really spent some time in fully evaluating the cameras. I bought a few digital camera mags, looked at the review sites, quizzed the guys at the camera store down the block and asked all my friends or their advice. I read an article at the Firing Squad that really cleared things up for me and made my choice easier. The most affordable camera with all the features and quality I need is the Canon 20D. The bottom line is price and the features the 20D has above its competitors. Among them is a larger sensor (the element that captures the image) which will help to get more detail in pictures and allow for more expression in the depth of field. At 8 mega-pixels it offers images at 3504 x 2336, which is a bit more than other cameras. Continuos shooting at 5 frames per second, a good deal above the others, plus a max shutter speed at 1/8000, which will be great for 2006 Tour de France pics. The ISO ratings of the 20D go up to 3200, which will help those lower light and night pictures, none match this at the same price. The last benefit of going with Canon are cheaper lenses after the initial purchase. I looked at the Nikon D70 but decided against it for the lower ISO ratings, only 6 megapixels and only 3 frames per second. I also thought about the compact/SLR hybrids like the Panasonic Lumix LZ30, but it offers less frames per second, slower shutter speed, lower ISO ratings and a bit smaller images at 3264x2448. The Canon 20D is really a great purchase with the price sitting just above at the $1000 mark. Looking forward at taking pics and sharing them . . .