Nikon verses Canon, which is better?

I'm looking into buying a camera, it will be my first DSLR so i don't know where to start. My mom has a canon rebel xs and i use it some, it takes pretty good pictures but i don't like it too much. Not sure why. It doesn't focus great and stuff. Just not right for me. She just uses it for day to day things and then some photography on the side. Its mostly used for my cross country races and stuff cause it takes great action shots. And with the right lens the zoom is great. Its great for her but not for me i guess.well i was looking at the Nikon D3000 but then i found out it has no live view. I still like it though and its my top choice, but then i looked into the Canon rebel t1i and saw some pictures taken by it, and they are really nice. Its more pricey but the pictures are great. I don't know which one. Do you have one of these cameras if so how do you like it? Which do you like better? I'm a begginer but i've been taking pictures for a really long time so i guess a mix of begginer and more experienced lol i'm not sure. My first real camera, so i want to make the right choice.

A lot of the "issues" that you mention are not a camera issue, but rather inexperience using the camera.

IMO… If you want a camera with "live view" stick with a P&S or a "bridge" camera. DSLRs were not designed to be used that way. Due to the size and weight of a DSLR, using "live view" just introduces blur/shakiness from not being able to hold the camera steady (and it wastes a lot of battery power).

Both Nikon and Canon make good cameras. The best thing to do is go to a camera store (not an electronics store) and hold, look at, and try the different brands and models within your budget. But don't forget that with ANY DSLR style camera, your budget must also include lenses, memory card, extra battery, camera case, etc. Most camera store also offer beginner and intermediate camera lessons ( sometimes free if you buy the camera there)

You are the one who will be using it, so get something that feels natural to you with easy to find controls. You will miss shots if you are constantly fumbling with the camera.

Go to http://www.yellowpages.com and type in camera and your city, state to find the camera stores near you.

The one plus side to getting a Canon, is that your mom may let you borrow her lenses.

Don't get the rebel as you should get a camera that is comfortable for you. The camera you want is niether of the 2 options you described but the D3100 as it has liveview, more megapixels, and video but in every other way is like the D3000. Also there's a wide variety of additional lenses you can get to go with it.

hope this helps…

Asking a bunch of camera guys which is better Canon or Nikon is about like asking a bunch or gear heads which is better Ford or Chevy. All you'll do is end up in the middle of an argument. Go to a camera shop that sells both brands. Ask to see different models.put them in your hands and see how they feel to you. See which ones have controls you understand easier. Which ones make more sense to you. In the hands of a pro either brand and any model will produce a good image so don't put too much weight on advertisement photos. Try to take a few your self, and see which gives you images you like. Take your time and see which one you get comfortable with. Then make a purchase based on what works for you. You can do some on line shopping to compare features and such to narrow it down to your requirements. Then when you're in the store you won't have as many to look at.