i'm so jealous. totally want one. i'm a big canon fan, so i'd say go with the better priced rebel. i bet your spousal unit will be mighty happy with this gift.

If you are gonna supply some memory cards too, check out http://www.zipzoomfly.com. Usually cheap if not the cheapest, plus it's not uncommon to get free 2nd day shipping. I've always had a positive experience with them, which is a definite bonus with online retailers.

well, for the ones you listed the D70 and rebel have the best reps of the lower priced (but still expensive $$$) DSLR's. i'd avoid the used d100 body, it's built like a tank but i did remember it being pretty noisy in low light when i demo'ed it. the D70 does have some nicer features (fatter buffer, nicer finish, FEC - but no iso 100 heheheh) than the rebel BUT it's priced more and came out over a year later so i'd expect it to. the 20D of course up's the ante on the D70 but I'm sure Nikon will have something better coming out this summer... best advice is to go a shop and put each camera in your hands, check them out and go with whatever feels right. maybe have a look at lens availability and cost afterwards too.

I'm thinking about going with the Nikon D70 because it feels more camera-like in my hand than the Rebel does, which feels a tad lightweight.

Eh, if she don't like it, we'll take it back.

thanks for the help, folkses.

The 18-55mm lens that comes with the Drebel is a very nice lens for the money($70). It works out to the same range as 30-90mm on a Film 35mm camera due to the 1.6x modifier.

I loved just having the kit lens until I upgraded to a 28-135mm IS USM lens.
Faster on the low end, and with the image stablization built into the lens, it made it better for indoor shooting hand-held without a tripod.

I would do some research if I were you at http://www.dpreview.com
This site has great forums and buying guides...

If she has Nikon lenses that have the same mount as the D70 it might be better to go with that. I don't know what lens mounts are available on the D70.

Secondly, if she has a GD degree, then she will absolutely love the Digital SLR. Being to manipulate her photos in Photoshop in seconds is SO fun....)

You mentioned the D70 having a nicer finish, weight, then the Drebel. This is good and bad. If you are walking around, magnesium bodies get heavy, and combined with a heavy lens, they can make using a tripod tricky. The Drebel is plenty durable enough for anything.

Any of these cameras will be great.