While I have no hands on experience with SLR digitals, I've just joined a photography group and learned a few small things which might make the choice easier (or harder)
The actual size of the chip has an influence on the control you have on the image. For example, a good 35mm camera in good hands can control the depth of field. Apparently the size of the focal area (35mm vs 8mm) affects the final focal length. If you focus on a subject 20 feet away you can control the focal length to within a two feet with a large chip (and good conditions). The smaller chip might give you a minimum focal length of perhaps 6 feet either side.

Although this is only hearsay on my part, it comes from an elderly professional photographer so I'm guessing he knows his subject.

BTW, he got the Canon 300D