Cameras?

I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience with dSLR camera's, and if so what are your results? I'm looking for something sub $1,000 that works well in low light (ballroom comps), as well as general photography. I've used a few digital point-and-shoot cameras, and now looking to upgrade.

The two I had in mind are the Canon Digital Rebel XTi and the Nikon D80. If anyone has used either of these, what did/do you like or dislike about them? If you have used and liked another model, which and why? I have heard a few good things about Sony's Alpha line, but not a whole lot.

Any tips, experiences or advice would be marvelous!

*bump*

Chris, I have little experience with dSLRs. I do love Canon though. <US$1,000 I would guess that you would get a pretty good digital camera. Don't know how much you know in general about SLRs (my knowledge isn't great!) but if you want to be able to do dance photos, look at the 'number of frames per second' the camera will take. The higher the number, the more photos you can take in quick succession and could make for some very interesting action shots.

I have very limited experience of digital cameras, going back a few years, when the earth was still covered in ice and the 'middle of the range' digitals frustrated me no end, because I would 'point and click' at something that looked promising and by the time the shutter did close and reopen, the scene had moved on and all I got was... well, not what I had originally expected! :?

Based on my limited experience, flash is important, but you could play with that based on the speed of the FILM you were using. With digital, I do not know - but suspect that indoors at dance events, flash is strongly discouraged, if not banned?

This thread discussion may also be of interest? http://www.dance-forums.com/showthread.php?t=17302

Most comps that I have been to allow still photography but ban video to protect the vendor that has purchased video rights. A new trend I've noticed at least in Canada is that there is now also a restriction on still photography camera type. thus, you are now allowed a point-and-shoot camera but not a 'professional' camera - read SLR. The reason for this is increased commercialization of still photography here. There is a company that does most of the events near here - GSR - that actually do an excellent job (the pics of us dancing in my photoalbum were all taken by them). However, the trend is a bit worrying - competition with the official photographer combined with the number of people that take videos with their still cameras may lead to an attempt to stop all still photography.

Anyone else seen the same thing?