A lot of good points and info. zero alluded to the ridiculous second hand prices we have to pay over here and he's dead right.The 1100D goes for 1100 bucks new but you pay 600 for an older 1000D . The 550D is 1400 new. Crazy stuff. As I can get the 550 for 1000 I think that is my preference at this stage. Iv'e seen the pics the 1100D can do and theyr'e not too shabby . So the 550D with the larger pixel count should be better.
I think I read somewhere The 550D is the entry-level version of the prosumer 7D model, from a couple years back, while the 1100D is the new entry level. Thanks again. By the by, This live view that suddenly seems the new thing. isn't it the same as looking at the lcd screen? A little puzzled. cheers.