If you want to look like a really cool photographer who knows exactly what their doing but, in fact, don’t know much about photography or cameras – then the Canon EOS 400D digital SLR might just be the perfect camera for you.

CANON EOS 400d DSLR CAMERA

Canon have just announced new IS (image stabilised) lenses to be bundled with this camera, which will make a big difference, particularly to the telephoto (55-200mm) lens. There will be a price increase (approx. $180 more according to Camera-Warehouse - http://www.camera-warehouse.com.au/product.asp?pr=CANON-EOS-400D) and you could argue that IS is not required on the 18-55mm basic lens.
This is in direct competition to the superior Pentax K10D, which offers image stabilisation built into the camera body, making any lens you add an IS lens. The equivalent Pentax twin lens kit is more expensive than the Canon ($1599 v $1349 at time of writing - see http://www.camera-warehouse.com.au/product.asp?pr=PENTAX-K10D), but you're starting at a much better foundation than with the Canon. That is assuming that this is your first SLR purchase.