Canon EOS 20D (with 18mm (55mm lens)

Pros: Robust feel, sturdy construction, easy and fast to manipulate settings, very fast, see full review below.

Cons: Not inexpensive, nicer lenses can be pricey if you're accustomed to cheaper cameras, uh... that's about it

Summary: I chose to buy the body only and purchase a different lens than was available in the kit. I chose Canon's EF 100mm f/2 lens which is awesome for portrait shots (I can't afford the EF 50mm F/1). But this is a review for the camera, not the lens.

The construction and sturdiness are the first things you'll notice. As soon as you hold it, you understand why it costs $500 more than the Rebel XT (have you ever held a Rebel XT?). This camera fits my hands much better than the Rebel and definitely feels stronger and more robust.

Start-up time (or wake-up time if it's in stand-by mode) is awesome. Rapid fire is so fast you have to remind yourself that this thing is snapping off 8.2-megapixel images! Seattings for things like ISO, drive mode, AF mode, etc. are quickly accessed and changed in mere seconds. This is very handy when you're trying to capture "the moment" and "the moment" doesn't wanna wait for you to browse through menus.

But what's really astounding (and I do mean astounding) are the low-light capabilities. Even at ISO1600 with no flash, images didn't show unsightly grain and small details are clearly visible with virtually no noise at all!!! I'm just blown away by it, really.

My last camera (Canon S40) was a wonderful point-and-shoot which I paid about $400 for three years ago. This time around, I thought twice about spending $2000 (remember, I bought an expensive lens separately) to upgrade to a professional-grade camera. At this point, I'm glad I bit the bullet. The camera is worth the money.