I won't be able to add any more comment to help you with your selection as you have already rec'd good advice from folks here.
But....after reading your analysis, there is one statement that puzzles me;

**"One thing I am less certain about is the dohickey for the shoulder strap. It didn't really cut into my left fingers, but I am afraid it might make things uncomfortable if I handle this camera a lot."

**If you are holding the DSLR with a proper technique...your left hand should be nowhere near that dohickey...

In youth, we learn....with age, we understand.