eelyn,
I got a Nikon D90. Canon 500D was recommended to me when I went down to view Canon 50D becos it's light-weight.
Actually, it went like that: I did my research on Nikon D200, D300 and Canon 50D. Occasionally, I saw some reviews on Nikon D90.
Then I went down to try the cameras.
At Canon store,
Me,"I want to look at Canon 50D."
The Canon sales person (CSP) takes 50D out.
I tried it out amateurishly, trying to figure out the buttons.
CSP,"Who is the camera for?"
Me,"Me."
CSP,"Huh? You ah? Then you should take 500D. 50D too heavy for you."
Then I went to Nikon store,
Me,"I want to look at D300."
Nikon sales person (NSP),"Who is it for?"
Me,"Me."
NSP,"Oh, you ah? You should take D60. D300 too heavy."
I agonised over the cameras for a long time. Like you, I worried that it'll become a white elephant. I couldn't decide which brand to go for bcos once you buy the camera, it's hard to jump ship liao becos you would invest in the lens and the whatnot later. I read tons of reviews for months. Then someone said in one of those reviews,"Stop reading reviews. Go to the shops and feel the cameras for yourself." And I really did that.
Once I did that, I ruled out Nikon D300, D200, Canon 50D, bcos they were too heavy for me.
So it was down to Canon 500D and Nikon D90. I've used Canon digicams all my life and I have never been quite satisfied with the location of functions. I also wanted to try out a Nikon. I thought it so cool to say,"I've always wanted to have a Nikon." frivolous and shallow as it sounds.
And D90 seemed to be hit with many people. So for once, I follow the herd mentality, altho as usual, the researcher in me read up tons of materials on D90. The fact that professionals give a thumbs up to it made me feel that I can't be too wrong.
I've always like the image quality and colours of Canon dslrs. But I didn't want to dwell on which camera to buy anymore. So I just went straight for D90 in the end.
I did go for a class, which charged $20 for admin, but didn't learn very much. It's just a lesson on the camera itself and how to locate certain functions. There are some basic photography classes but cost more than $200.
From there, I just try and try. At first the images are blurry and my small digicams yielded better images and I was discouraged. I was tempted to chuck it aside. But I remembered I paid more than $2k (I bought into the sales talk to pay for the peripherals and extended warranty) for it. So I was determined to make it work. And someone told me it takes practices. At first not so good, must take a few more times, then with more practice, can kill with one shot. I'm not that good yet, but I'm improving. When shots go blur, at least I know why and not blame the camera for being lousy. And I tell myself Sean Lau will be the last studio I go to - at least not once a year.
Canon and Nikon are both good and you won't go wrong with either. Canon 500D is a good starter dslr. It just boils down to whether you like the weight, the feel of it, the convenience of locating functions and the budget - that's most important. My sister could take good shots with Nikon D200, but she still sticks to her Panasonic digicam becos she finds there's 'no joy' in using the heavy D200.
If there wasn't Nikon D90, I might have gone for Canon 500D. Between the two, I prefer the location of functions of Nikon and the ergonomics.
Did you go to Clubsnap forum? They are a helpful bunch although you have to decide which camera you want on your own.
Oh, another reason I chose Nikon was becos I got 3 colleagues using Nikon. I got to loan lens to try out from one of them. If I'd bought Canon, I wouldn't have the luxury of loaning lens.
Do update me when you've made up your mind.