Your personal preference Nikon vs Canon?

Why?

And which model would you advice for a beginner (who wants the camera to last).

Nikon --> low price with low quality
Canon --> Heavy range with High Quality.

i bought Cannon

The "best camera" is the one that you know how to use to its fullest potential! Since you are asking this question, it is safe to assume this is your first DSLR.

The best thing for you to do is to go to an actual camera shop (not an electronics store). You need to hold/handle/try the different brands and model in your budget to see what feels comfortable to you, and that you can find/use the controls easily. I chose Canon for its ergonomics and menu layout while a fellow photog chose Nikon for the same reason.

As far as a particular model, both Canon and Nikon make good cameras. Without knowing what your budget is, it is hard to make a recommendation. Don't forget to add an extra battery, memory cards, padded case, and taxes into your budget.

Canons are highly recommended for beginners. Fantastic quality cameras, lovely photos and simple to use. A 1000D is a good basic model to start with

My personal preference should mean nothing to you. You need to look at the models of cameras they offer, look at the features/price, and most of all, see what is most comfortable for you to use.

I use Nikon because 1. My dad uses nikon, and 2.it feels good in my hands.

I note that Mr SEO can't even spell Canon consistently, no wonder he needs a heavy, solid camera, anything else would buckle under his clumsy fingers! But seriously, I own a Nikon and acknowledge also the qualities of Canon. The brand to watch is Sony which may become world leader in years/decades to come. In term of quality of construction there's little to chose between those three brands and each has some strengths and very few weaknesses in terms of image quality and handling ease. Try those three brands alongside each other in a shop and see which handles best for you.

My personal preference? "Olympus"
Because they make best lenses and they do not rip you off. They are the inventors of many technologies e.g. Sensor cleaning, live view etc. Which later Canon and Nikon adopted.
Their dSLR's and PEN's are solid, last long, compact and have better image quality, because they come with better lenses than both Canon and Nikon.

But if I had to choose between Nikon and Canon, I'll go for Nikon, even though it will be a tough decision to choose one.

There are few amateur photographers who can give "logical" reasons for buying Nikon over Canon or vice versa. Outside of pros, they're all just expensive toys feeding an enjoyable hobby.

A few years back I went into the store, picked up an entry-level Nikon and an entry-level Canon; I preferred the feel of the Nikon to the Canon, hated that the LCD on the Canon was way over to the left; didn't like the overall look or feel of the Canon. I then checked some on-line reviews for the Nikon D50 and learned that most people liked it, and I bought it.

I became a Nikon guy.

Is that "logical?" No, but it's my personal sense of aesthetics (the look of the camera) plus ergonomics (the feel of the camera).

So go to the store, pick up and try out both an entry level Nikon DSLR and an entry level Canon. Do you you like the look and feel of one over the other. If you do, you'll enjoy using it more, everything else being equal. With a photographer who knows what he's doing, both will take great photos. (Good photography results as much or more about the photographer than the camera)

It's not just the final output (photographs).It's the experience of using the equipment.

Maybe Nikon's "experience" is a better fit for you… Or maybe it's Canon's… You have to decide.

I now own the D7000 and I love it. I find Nikon to be the brand for me.

As a generality, I prefer Nikon - but I use Nikon professional lenses and bodies.

As for dSLRs, Nikon dSLRs have better low light performance, better ergonomics and menu design, and advanced features l

At the high end, both Nikon and Canon Pro Lenses are fairly equal - but at the low end, Canon "kit" lenses are garbage, while the low end Nikon lenses are substantially better in optics and build quality.

As for model: the d7000 is excellent if you can afford it. Otherwise look at the d5100.

Most important - spend the money on good lenses.