I want a new camera!

[Psymonkee]

Howdy,

Looking for new camera advice and figured since there are a few photographers here it would be a decent place to start.

For ages I've had little compact point and shoots and they've been alright but I really want something in the DSLR line and to learn how to use the manual mode properly. My existing P&S has a full manual mode but changing the settings is very convoluted and basically a PITA. Oh yeah and it eats batteries like a boss. Very irritating.

So yeah basically looking at entry level DSLR stuff - what would you fine folk recommend? Does it still boil down to a choice of Canon vs Nikon? If so which is the way forward and why?

Also I'm not going to buy blind as I'll be off to visit my friend who works in the local Jessops when the time is right (and my day off/his shift at work line up )

Any advice would be wonderful though