according to Professional Photographer Pentax K100D Super and Olympus Evolt E-510 are best slr cameras under $1k. personally i have heard lots of good stuff on the evolt.
canon digital slrs take all the slr awards BUT nikon takes MOST of the lens awards..
http://www.ppmag.com/web-exclusives/...d-winners.html
In my opinion lens is more important than camera....