Both Canon and Nikon are good camera. Look for after sale technical support to choose and availability of attachements. If you are just starting, MP is irrelevant because you can not differentiate a photo taken with 12MP to 18MP. What is your favorite subject? Do you want to take photos of people, sports or fast moving subject, landscape and miniature or macro. That way you can choose what type of lens you need. Will you use photography as a hobby (Canon xxxD or Nikon Dxxx) or you plan to go earning from it. Then you have to choose a semi-pro (Canon xxD or Nikon Dxx) to higher end DSLR which will cost a big amount of money (Canon xD or Nikon Dx). If you can afford or have anough budget, I suggest you go for the higher end.
Both Canon and Nikon are good camera. Look for after sale technical support to choose and availability of attachements. If you are just starting, MP is irrelevant because you can not differentiate a photo taken with 12MP to 18MP. What is your favorite subject? Do you want to take photos of people, sports or fast moving subject, landscape and miniature or macro. That way you can choose what type of lens you need. Will you use photography as a hobby (Canon xxxD or Nikon Dxxx) or you plan to go earning from it. Then you have to choose a semi-pro (Canon xxD or Nikon Dxx) to higher end DSLR which will cost a big amount of money (Canon xD or Nikon Dx). If you can afford or have anough budget, I suggest you go for the higher end.