When I was getting ready to buy my first DSLR I think I must have agonised for nearly six months between Canon and Nikon models with the choice finally narrowed to either a Nikon D90 or the Canon 50D. After doing research and reading reviews that all said that both cameras were equally good (each had strong points and weak points but nothing to really put one ahead of the other) I thought my head was going to explode as I see-sawed between deciding on one or the other.

The one thing it came down to was the old "go in to a camera shop and see how they feel" - so I did, and walked out with the Canon. It was as simple as that in the end. I can't say it was because Canon had a better reputation, as I'd had lousy experiences with not one but two Canon printers and that had tarnished their image for me. Fortunately, I've not had any cause to regret my decision.