To all photographers with experience with these models and all other professional photgraphers. helpp!?

im planning to buy my first slr. im picking between the canon xsi/450d, the nikon d40, and the nikon d60. i dont know which to pick. because the three of them almost have the same specs. i know its up to me but i need some advice. i also read reviews and some photographers' comments about these slrs and they say they all function the same way.

are these the best and somewhat affordable(below $1000) entry-level dslrs for beginners in slrs in these brands?

if so, what are other models from olympus that can match their capabilities? im not really a buff in olympus camera's especially slrs.

if not, what are the ones that are really good? models should be from these three brands. because i think these are the models that best fit my description of what dslr i need. and these were recommended by other photographers i know and recommendations i found from my research.

thank you. :)

I think the best thing for you to do is go to a good camera store, (not an electronics store) and look at these cameras in person. Hold them in your hands and see how easy it is for you to work the controls. One will probably feel better to you than the others. And get some advice from the salesperson. You don't have to buy the camera at the store, unless their price is as good as online. To me, that is the only way you will be able to choose which one is best for you!

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With the Nikon, you can use most older Nikon lenses, and there are lots of them available on E-Bay for a fraction of the original price. I use a Fujifilm S3 pro that can use Nikon lenses, so I can use my older lenses too. I'd pick the D-60, if you can afford it, and get several memory cards and a case, a uv filter lens (to protect the main lens element & to filter), a circular polarizer lens & maybe a tripod. GOOD SHOOTING!
PS: Do not forget the batteries!

Canon is a good one and i also recommend Nikon d70.
They both are good shooters. if you know how to set up manual then go for a bottom line professional dslr cameras. D30 canon or d200 and d300 on nikon. I own a d200 nikon and i like the pics it takes, but in low light high ISO 800 or 1000 plus the results are very noisy. I have learned that they have improved this problem on the D300. good luck.