Alight so I'm looking to buy my first DSLR, and I'm pretty much a nub.

The two cameras I have been looking at are the Cannon XSi and XTi, is the XSi really worth the extra cash? I had looked in to the d40, but after looking at some pictures taken by it and reading reviews, the focus might get annoying later on.

I'm shooting to spend about $500.00, so if there is something better for that price please lemme know.