They are both great and will do more than you will really ever need. I bought my parents the rebel XT because I like Canon's lenses better than the Nikon ones but I'm kind of picky.
Best of luck... this is how I started and the next thing you know I've got about $80K of camera gear!
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17 Tesla Model X 90D (I've been converted!)
PAST: 14 Tesla Model S P85D, 16 X1, 13 X5 M-sport, 04 M3 Cab, 08 E92 M3, 08 535xiT, 07 X5 4.8i, 06 E90 325i, 87 E30 325i, 85 E30 318i