Let's begin with an introduction to the cameras that get a lot of attention: those geared toward beginning digital SLR photographers. These cameras are simple : they aren't cluttered with a lot of buttons and features that can be overwhelming for novices. Instead, they are optimized to produce clear, bright, colorful images whether you use them in full AUTO mode or leverage some of the manual settings. The two cameras from each company that are designed for beginners are the Canon Rebel XS 1000D and the Nikon D3100 . Let's see how the two compare: CANON XS (1000D) NIKON D3100 Release Date August 2008 September 2010 Megapixels 10.1 14.2 Stabilization In Lens In Lens Memory Card SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC Max. Shutter Speed 1/4000 1/4000 Max. Photo Capture 3 per second 3 per second ISO Range 100 to 1600 100 to 12800 Movie Modes No Movie Mode H.264 1920 x 1080p 1280 x 720 640 x 424 LCD Static 2.5in (230,000 dots) Static 3in (230,000 dots) Viewfinder Pent...