If youve got the $$$ for it get the XTi. Why wouldn't you go with an DSLR? Wouldn't your rather have something that can be expanded on with different lenses and such. and more importantly won't limit you to only being able to do so much on the camera like a P&S will.

I'm a big fan of Cannon and I hear the XTi's are pretty awesome, I don't have the XTi personally because I got a great deal on a new I have a D-20 after the D-30 came out, but a lot of people who I work with have XTi's and like them a lot.

 

as for the wide angle lense youre looking for, the standard XTi lense is what... 28-55mm? If you want a different one, you can find lense/body package together with different size lenses. check amazon.com or bhphotovideo.com

 

The kit lens is 18-55mm. 28 isn't wide on cropped sensor.

 

yeah but a new XTi has the canon CMOS sensor which is a full frame 35mm sensor, or am i mistaken?

read it here

 

Having a CMOS sensor doesn't mean the XTi is a FF camera, the cheapest FF camera is Canon 5D.
Canon have 3 different sizes of sensor, 1.0x, 1.3x and 1.6x.
Xti has the 1.6x one.

from Canon.com
10.1 Megapixel APS-C Size CMOS Sensor
Canon's large-area CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor captures images with exceptional clarity and tonal range, and offers the most pixels in its class. This APS-C size sensor (22.2 x 14.8mm) has the same 3:2 ratio as film cameras, enabling an effective angle of view that is 1.6x the normal EF Lens focal length. With an effective pixel resolution of 3,904 x 2,598, the EOS Digital Rebel XTi offers superb detail and clarity, even in large prints, and generates finished files that open at approximately 30MB in your image-editing software. On Canon's CMOS sensor, each pixel is captured with fine detail to create images of tremendous depth and resolution, ensuring enough information for even poster-sized prints.

 

1.0x is FF or 35mm (Canon 1Ds; 5D; Nikon D3)
1.3x (Canon 1D)
1.5x (The rest of Nikon digital SLR lineup, DX format)
1.6x (Canon Rebels)

 

then thats where i was mistaken.

well i guess you can always just buy a used wide angle on ebay or b&h photo

 

I know a few people who bought DSLRS and regretted the decision.
If you don't need an DSLR then the size and weight of the SLR will
just be a burden. Not to mention it'll cost a hell of a lot more. Imagine how
much gear you'd need to replicate the Canon S5 (36 - 432mm F2.8 -> F3.5
stabilized!). I'd recommend a P&S with a nice lens over a DSLR with a bad
lens.

Of course, the flip side is there are things in a DSLR you can't buy in any
point and shoot.

- Frank