[G]

I've had an 1100D and now a 600D, so I obviously prefer canon. Much easier to learn with I felt but all you can do is play with different brands and make you own opinion.

One thing is for sure, unless you plan on buying different lenses and learning to shoot in manual and RAW then I wouldn't bother getting a DSLR. You would be much better investing your £300 in a very very good point and shoot. A £300 SLR with a kit lens that never leaves auto is worse than a good point and shoot camera.

The number of people I see walking around with a £600+ camera, with a kit lens and always leaving it in auto is depressing.

It's very quick and easy to pick up how to shoot in manual, and once you start shooting in RAW and processing the photos yourself you'll be blown away.