We have the Canon 550D with twin lens kit and also bought the 50mm Macro lens which I totally recommend! It's only around $150 but man it takes the most amazing photos! Make sure the lenses you get have IS as well as I think they sell some without it. Makes a difference in clarity! As for why we chose Canon over Nikon I think it is a bit like CBG mentioned, we have always had an Ixus for years since digital came out so it made sense to us to use a Canon, plus one of the most amazing kids photographers uses Canon and her stuff is incredible and I wanna be like her