what canon digital slr camera should i get?

I have to wonder if those who told you to by a Canon were working pros.

The reason to choose your first DSLR should be based upon your research of the camera systems, not what others say.

Canon is one of the few camera companies that use different model names for cameras sold in Asia, the Americas and Europe. So yes, the 450D is the same as the Rebel XSi. The xxxD series cameras are the ones sold in Europe and all the Rebel series cameras are sold in the Americas

Look deeper into the two systems, then go into camera store and hold both Nikon and Canon cameras in your hands, see which one feels the best in your hands, which has the easiest menu for you to navigate and which one has direct dedicated input buttons for White Balance, ISO and Quality. Who cares what brand camera you have if you have to take your eye away from the finder to navigate a menu and miss the shot?

Links for your research so you are sure you buy the best camera for YOU, not your friends.

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ProductCatIndexAct&fcategoryid=111

http://www.nikonusa.com/

Avoid what most none-photographers find compelling … the pixel count.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/mpmyth.htm

It may surprise you to learn that professional sports photographers still use 6mp DSLR’s under certain conditions.

you might also want to consider Pentax’s recently unveiled K-7 DSLR which can take video