To me the lower end nikons are more ergonomic, as the canons have nothing down the left hand side so your left thumb is wasted while your right does all the work. I have an entry level canon, entry level Nikon and a semi-pro Nikon. To me, the canon feels like a toy, plasticy etc. The higher end ones feel better and are more ergonomic though, so depends what you're wanting to spend as to how relevant that is.

You can compare sensors on here, as it's not ALL about the lenses these days, the sensor records your image, so it's performance is worth taking account of, especially if you want to do something particular, like low light where ISO might couldn't, or weddings where you might want more dynamic range for the white dress etc:

http://www.dxomark.com/Cameras/Compare

Nikons tend to have higher dynamic range, and last time I used this site they had just released a load of new awesome sensors. Other things could well have been released by now so check it out, not sure who is 'winning' at the moment. I think the best ISO performance last time I looked was a new high end canon.

The site gives you performance ratings etc and a score at the end.

End of the day, they will all take a photo! Depends if you think you'll get the use out of the borrowed lenses.

I now do photography professionally although not full time. I've never spent any money on teaching, it's all self taught, and reading up tips, techniques and observing other professionals' photos.

If you don't already understand the basic variables you have at your disposal (aperture, shutter speed, etc), I would strongly suggest not getting a kit lens and get a 50mm f/1.8 (or f/1.4 if you want to spend more money) and put your camera on manual and learn the effects. The beauty of digital is not having to spend money nor wait a long time to see the effect of your pics - you can see them immediately. Apologies if you know this, I'm not trying to be patronising at all

Yes, some argue a kit, i.e. zoom lens is more flexible, but if you want to appreciate photography, I strongly believe sticking to a cheap prime is the better way forward. You zoom with your feet or crop with the decent MP count we get nowadays.

 

I started over 10 years ago when dSLRs were coming of age. Had the choice between a Canon 350d and a Nikon D70. Went with Nikon as the mag-allow body just felt better in my hands whereas the Canon flexed something. Of course, that bought me into the Nikon system. Now, I'm full frame only (have D700, D800 and D3S) and a decent selection of lenses from 12mm to 200mm f/2.0. If you have the opportunity to use your father's lenses, DO IT! Learn to appreciate them and what they can bring when you've got the basics sorted out.

 

As others have also pointed out, with Nikon, you can slap pretty much any lens that's up to 60 years old. Canon has that annoying EF-S thing.