Can someone explain Nikon’s line of DSLRs in comparison to Canon’s in terms of feature set, price, and release date?

For example, would a Canon 450D be comparable a Nikon D60, Canon 500D = Nikon D70? What Nikons would be comparable to Canon’s Mark, Rebel XS, and 50/40/30D series?

What do more or less zeros mean (Nikon D5000 vs Nikon D300S vs Nikon D90 vs Nikon D3)? It seems that for Canon, the less zeros means it’s more professional (So Canon’s 1000D is a basic entry level, 300-500D is entry level, 30-50D is mid range, 5D is compact professional, 1D is non-compact professional). How does it work for Nikon?

Thanks for your help.
Thanks Ace Ventura. Is there a certain logic to the way Nikon names their models?

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Can someone explain Nikon’s line of DSLRs in comparison to Canon’s? What Nikons would be comparable to Canon’s 1Ds, 1D, 5D, 10-50D, Rebel (300-500D), and Rebel XS (1000D) series?

What do more or less zeros mean in the model name (Nikon D5000 vs Nikon D300S vs Nikon D90 vs Nikon D3)? It seems that for Canon, the less zeros means it’s more professional. How does it work for Nikon, i.e. which models are entry level and which are professional?

I really just want to find a list somewhere that spells it out. Like…

Basic entry-level (newest to oldest):
Canon 1000D (Rebel XS) = Nikon ________

Entry level (newest to oldest):
Canon 500D = Nikon D5000?
Canon 450D = Nikon D60?
Canon 400D = Nikon _______
Canon 350D = Nikon _______
Canon 300D = Nikon _______

Mid Range (newest to oldest):
Canon 50D = Nikon ______
Canon 40D = Nikon ______
Canon 30D = Nikon ______
Canon 20D = Nikon ______
Canon 10D = Nikon ______

Compact Professional (newest to oldest):
Canon 5D Mark II = Nikon ______
Canon 5D = Nikon ______

Full-size professional (newest to oldest):
Canon 1D Mark III = Nikon _____
Canon 1D Mark II = Nikon ______
Canon 1D = Nikon _____

Really freaking expensive full-size professional (newest to oldest):
Canon 1Ds Mark III = Nikon _____
Canon 1Ds Mark II = Nikon _____
Canon 1Ds = Nikon _____

Just fill in the blanks and I’ll give you 10 points! Bonus if you actually explain some of the differences…

1. Sony Alpha A200 www.amazon.com 2. Sony Alpha A300 www.amazon.com 3. Canon Rebel XS www.amazon.com 4. Canon Rebel Xti www.amazon.com 5. Olympus EVOLT E-410 www.amazon.com 6. Pentax K2000 www.amazon.com 7. Nikon D60 www.amazon.com 8. Olympus EVOLT E-520 www.amazon.com 9. Nikon D40 www.amazon.com 10. Nikon D80 www.amazon.com

So i’m looking to upgrade from my standard point and shoot camera, and I’m looking for something more technical.
I’ve been doing a bit of research and the camera’s i have in mind are:
Canon eos 450d
canon eos 1000d
nikon d3000
nikon d60

From the above camera’s, which do you recommend for someone new to DSLR’s. Please state if there’s another camera you have in mind.