Well, when I purchased my last digital slr, I chose the latest 'prosumer' model at the time a Canon 40D. At the time I purchased, the consumer version actually had a more recent (and higher res) CCD chip, but the 'prosumer' version had a much better user interface. The Rebel (the consumer version) required using a lot of buttons and menus to change common controls, while the 'prosumer' version had dedicated dials for changing those same functions. Coming from using older cameras, I was more interested in the user interface than the wiz bang under the hood (anything over 8MP has more resolution than was obtainable on 35mm film). I still have and use that camera more than four years later.
I really wish the cheaper cameras were designed for photographers, rather than techies... I would much prefer to spend less...