No need to reinvent the wheel. dpreview.com has a very, very, very comprehensive camera database. You just need to use the comparison feature (side-by-side) which shows you all you'd ever want to know about any camera.
In general, however:
If you're on a budget: Canon 350D (modified). If you can afford it: Canon 40D (modified).
Put a Canon to your head. You deserve it.
End of discussion.
Regards,
Humayun