castledude wrote:Canon makes better glass and the cheap kit lens is pretty good.
I dispute this claim, as I'm sure many Nikon users would. Aside from Castledude's remark on the glass, I think most of the testimonials you've received are balanced and accurate. Canon do make more mid-priced lenses (at f/4) than Nikon, but as far as the quality of the lens glass goes they are about the same. I am a Nikon enthusiast but I will refrain from making a blanket comment about which glass is better. Any advice that makes a claim like the above quote without backing it up with real evidence should be wholly disregarded.
I've shot nearly 1000 images with the D70 and I've yet to notice any moiré, but most of my subjects aren't patterned objects (like a checkered shirt for example), so I consider moiré a non-issue on the D70. The upside of what causes the moiré is that the resolution of the D70 is arguably better than that of the Rebel. Oh, to let you know where I'm coming from, I've had Canon digicams before (not the Rebel), Nikon film and Nikon digicams.
To sum up:
Features, "tuneability", build (try holding a D70 and then a Rebel in a store), better kit lens (significantly better lens in terms of image quality, build, focusing speed and zoom range): go for the D70.
Great point and shoot results, minimum configuration required, nice lack of noise at ISO 100 (but nastier noise at higher ISOs than the D70), fewer appearances by moiré: go for the Canon.