The Nikon d50 is a great camera.  And the price is reasonable for the features.  (I bought this in 2005 or else I would have probably purchased the d80)  I personally like the Nikon optics of the Canon optics.  I have been amazed by Nikon cameras for years, and when I was finely able to purchase one of these amazing little devices I just had to.  There was no other choice.  And before you just start to say... Well he's biased.  I did look at the other options.  Again I personally was not impressed by the Canon.  The rebel was more expensive and was much lower quality (in my opinion).  And the Minolta, and Olympus cameras just didn't have a good feel.  (My other camera is an Olympus snapshot digital d-550) 

To see some of the work I have done with this camera please follow this link to my photography page.