JIP
No longer a newbie, moving up!
I would tell someone who is contemplating a 30Dto get the D200 because it is closer to it than the D80 and pricewise it is only $500 more.There are several mentions of "get the D200" with very little substance as to why he should... now is that helpful???? Sheesh..
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Canon 30D body only $1043.00 @ B+H http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/423708-REG/Canon_1234B004_EOS_30D_Digital_Camera.html
Nikon D200 Body only $1449.00 body only @ B+H http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/407284-REG/Nikon_25235_D200_Digital_Camera_Camera.html
Me being a Nikon person I would recommend the Nikon and personally I don't think comparing the 30D to the D80 is a fair comparison although Canon does usually have a better variety of camras between the rebel level and the 1Ds level than Nikon has between the D40 and the D2x.