Jamis will almost always be better "bang for your buck"...depending on the type of bang you're seeking. Something they seem to frequently skimp on is hubs. If you can get a similarly built Chameleon for the same price...I'd go SC.
What is the build of the Santa Cruz?
What year is the Jamis?
The Dakota Elite is a light/fast cross country bike:
Specifications
Frame
Kinesis Superlight 7005 triple-butted aluminum main tubes, BB30 over-sized BB shell, carbon fiber monostay, over-sized seat tube, gusseted down tube, replaceable derailleur hanger
Fork
Fox 32FRL, air spring with lockout & external rebound damping adjustor, 32mm stanchions, 100mm travel
Headset
Zero-Stack internal cup threadless, 1 1/8”
Wheels
WTB Laser Disc XC eyeletted rims, 32H, Shimano Deore M525 disc hubs, WTB 14g stainless steel spokes
Tires
Maxxis Ignitor, 26 x 2.1”
Derailleurs
Shimano Deore XT Shadow rear,
Deore XT 34.9mm top pull front
Shiftlevers
Shimano Deore XT, Rapidfire Plus-SL, 27-speed
Chain
Shimano HG73
Cassette
SRAM Powerglide 950, 9-speed, 11-32
Crankset
FSA Afterburner BB30, 44/32/22,
170mm (15.5”), 175mm (17-21”)
BB Set
FSA BB30
Pedals
Crank Brothers Smarty clipless
Brakeset
Avid Juicy 5 hydraulic disc brakes with Avid Juicy levers
Handlebar
Ritchey Mountain Comp OS flat bar,
31.8 O˚ x 5˚ sweep x 580mm
Stem
Ritchey Comp OS, 31.8 bar bore x 6˚ x 100mm (15”),
110mm (17 ”) & 120mm (19-21”)
Grips
WTB Trail, dual compound
Seat Post
Ritchey Comp OS, 350mm x 31.6 mm with 2 bolt design
Saddle
WTB Pure V Race with SL cover, chromoly rails
Sizes
15.5”, 17”, 19”, 21”
Color
Team Red/Pearl White
Weight
25.80 lbs