There are only two REAL digital interchangable SLR to choose from. Nikon D1H or D100. If you are not a photojournalist, needing to carry your gear to desert war zone, and extreme environments. You don't need the ruggedness of D1H, which is based on the F5 body. If you don't need the insanely large memory buffer of D1H, D100 will satisfy all your need.
D100 has higher resolution than both the extremely fast D1H and the higher resolution cousin D1X (but slower), at half their price. The only thing that's lacking is a smaller memory buffer, hence slower, and a slower flash sync at 1/180. Unless you're doing a lot of daylight fill-flash, I wouldn't worry about this limitation.
Since the D100 is based on the N80, it's comfortable to hold and use. The user interface is so much better than Canon's. It's more ergonomic and comfortable than the more expensive Canon too. Not to mention that Canon's is lacking a playback zoom feature which I find it very important in Digital. You don't want to download your photo to your notebook computer every dozen shots to examine the details and sharpness, do you?
Of course, it can use all your Nikkor lens. (That's the main reason I'd never buy Contax, Pentax or Minota's digital camera. Their lens selection is just too limited.)
Just buy it and you'd be happy.
Naturally, the D100's image quality is astounding. Mated with quality lenses and proper technique you are left with no excuse for not producing the best photos you've ever taken. Friends and onlookers will drool with envy where ever you go, because you just can't hide a D100 with an MB-D100 grip and a fast AF 80-200mm f/2.8 ED IF zoom in your shirt pocket--forget about candids.
It's big, it's heavy, and it's all Nikon--and everyone will know that you're serious about your picture taking.
I now have the Nikon D100 with a variety of lenses and I can enthusiastically say that it is the best camera I have ever used -- digital or film. In program mode, it is nearly impossible to take a bad photo with it. It does an amazing job of focusing - fast and accurately. (In order to get full autofocus capabilities, you can use any Nikon "D" or "G" type lenses) And it feels and works just like a film SLR camera. No shutter lag at all.
Also, the user interface is sensible and easy to use. This is especially important for this camera since there are so many customizable features.
My only disappointment with this camera is that in order to get the 10-pin connector (which allows the use of remote controls, for example), you have to pay (Money) for the battery pack. That is a lot of money to spend and a lot of size and weight to add to the camera in order to get access to a tiny but useful connector.
This camera and the Canon D60 seem to be the begining of a whole wave of amazing digital SLRs, as I see that Kodak, Canon and others have new ones coming out with even higher resolutions. But I think that my D100 will keep me happy for several years.
