Often in my opinion, it's the lens range and the body shape for the end user than makes or breaks a deal. Have you tried the other bodies? IMHO, the Nikon D3000 is too dainty for my hands (yes I know it's funny coming from an Olympus E620 user, but it just feels too plasticky).
The 450D is recommended if you don't mind the plastic body, and the kit lens is fine, expecially compared to your previous zoom lens.
Others worthy of a think is indeed the Pentax K series, the Sony A series and the Olympus E system. The Olympus is the only smaller sensor out of the bunch, but also the one that IMO offers the most bang for buck in terms of features in Body and the kit lens.
Not trying to be a fanboy, just trying to point out:
In body IS, so ANY lens attached to the body will have IS
I know the Sony has them too, but IMO, Olympus trumps it with better body build, kits lens and extra features like the ARTfilters for people who don't like post processing photos (E620 body).
Anyway, the take home message is: go out to the shops and play with any of the bodies out there. Be it Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony or Olympus. Find the one you like and then go for it, most entry cameras are pretty much the same anyway. It's probably the kit lens or extra features for the money that sways the decision when any body feels right.
p.s. BTW, there's an offer running for the E620, FREE grip + battery when purchased by the end of the month (for the grip anyway)
