Go give em a try. Havent used the 450D, but I rate the 350D I have over the 400D my mate has. Because the 400 has a higher pixel count, it takes noticably more noisy pics at higher ISO (low light) situations. Dont be sold on the high megapixel count, 6-8MP is fine for anything upto A4/A3 prints. Just make sure you learn how to use it, as many people get them, set them to auto and wonder why they take "worse" pics than their point and shoots. Mainly because auto mode on SLRs isnt meant to be used