I'm trying to choose a decent DSLR camera?

I'm between buying a Canon EOS Rebel XS, a Nikon D3100 and a Sony A33. I'm not an experienced photographer and don't want to spend thousands on a camera, but I would like a camera with a fast shutter speed and decent megapixel. I plan on taking pictures of wildlife and my infant daughter. Any suggestions/opinions on this subject?

You should stick with Canon and Nikon for DSLR cameras, first of all.

The Canon Rebel Xs is not comparable to the D3100, but more to the D3000. The D3100 is more comparable to the Canon T2i

Best would be for you to go to a camera store and see which one feels the best in your hand that is in your budget. All the cameras from both Canon and Nikon are capable of everything you want them to do, with exceptional quality.

you will, however, have to get another lens in addition to the one that comes with the camera, since you wish to do wildlife.

http://www.nikonusa.com/...IF-ED.html for Nikon

http://www.usa.canon.com/...f_4_5_6_is for canon

these two lenses are the complimentary lenses to all the sub-$1000 cameras. They will fair well for medium range telephoto

The Sony a33 and a55 are currently the only cameras that allow full time auto focus right up until you release the shutter whether you are shooting still pictures or video. The Nikon D3100 boasts auto focus while shooting video but only then. With the full time auto focus of the a33 you should almost never have an out of focus picture of your daughter.

Here is a review of the a33: http://www.image-resource.com/PRODS/AA33/AA33A.HTM

Another worthy contender would be the Pentax K-x. Here is a review of it:

http://www.shutterbug.net/equipmentreviews/amateur_digital_slrs/0510pentax/index.html The feature set of the Pentax K-x simply blows the Nikon D300 away. It has:
1) A CMOS sensor - superior performance at higher ISO settings and in low light.
2) Live View.
3) HD Video.
4) Double/multiple exposure capability.
5) A focus motor in the camera body so even a Pentax AF lens off a 1988 model Pentax auto focus 35mm film camera will auto focus on the K-x as it should.
6) Image Stabilization in the camera body so every lens used becomes an IS lens.
7) A choice of camera body colors in case you don't want a black camera.
http://www.pentaximaging.com/slr

The Nikon D3000 has exactly NONE of those features. NONE.

Prices w/18-55mm lens from B&H:

Pentax K-x' $489.95

Sony a33, $749.99

Nikon D3000, $499.95 after a $50.00 Instant Savings from B&H. Ends 11-20-2010.

Nikon D3100, $639.95

B&H - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...ovideo.com

As you can easily see the Pentax K-x is quite a bargain considering all its features.

With either of the Nikons you'll have to use AF-S lenses if you want auto focus.

The Sony a33 uses the legacy Minolta Maxxum "A" lens mount so you have access to all those used Maxxum AF lenses.

If I were choosing to spend my money I'd have to flip a coin to decide between the a33 and K-x but if moneys tight I'd have no problem choosing the K-x.

The XS should be compared to the D3000, but there's a newer version - D3100 - and it has no real competition. It's best in its class and simply amazing.

Here's a post called 'Buying a DSLR, what's important, megapixels, features, brand, price, quality and which one to buy - http://www.the-dslr-photographer.com/2009/03/which-dslr-to-buy.html

Good luck! The site has many more tutorials, tips, reviews and guides!