I bought ny first nikon, which was a d3k, because it was the most cost effective. Anything canon at the time, was more expensive. I never thought nikon was "cheap". I knew i was getting a quality product though. So, it really could have gone either way. Do i have the best brand? If nikon was the best, then canon would not be the market leader. Is canon the best? No. Both brands have their pros and cons. I have only ever picked up a canon dslr in the store, that is it. I would actually like very much to go out and use a 650d. I have an elura 100 which i love. My wife has a sony p&s and i have had a canon film camera and some fuji digital p&s. They are/were all good cameras. The best camera that there is, is the one that any one person has with them.