First DSLR purchase: Canon vs. Nikon ?
Posted by admin | Under Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR Sunday Mar 14, 2010I’m looking at purchasing my 1st DSLR. I have been involved with photography (35mm SLR too) for quite some time now, and I’m considering purchasing either a : (both online for $799.99)
Canon XSi (with both 18-55mm lens and telephoto 55-200)
or
Nikon D60 (with 18-55mm + 55-250mm)
They both look ‘good’. I feel like slanting towards the Canon just because my past two point and shoot digital cameras have been Canon and have taken great pictures.
I was originally looking at the Canon EOS 40D.. but it’s unfortunately pricy for my budget.
I also hear that it is often wise to start building a set of only one brand of camera equipment. I’m looking for something that will get be ‘beyond’ the amateur photographer, though I realize these are both lower end cameras.
Any advise? Suggestions??
Your comments are greatly appreciated!
The Canon XSi is a great choice. The 18-55mm IS lens that comes with it is not that bad. There are definitely better lenses out there, as someone already said, but I think it’s definitely worth hanging on to. The 18-55mm lense without IS that came with my brother in-laws XTi is another story…
In any case, I don’t think you will be disappointed, even if you would like to go beyond amateur status. Before I purchased my XSi, I read many reviews where people mentioned that they were seasoned photographers and still found countless ways to take great shots with this camera over their more expensive counterparts.
You should go to a good camera store and try these out. Handle them and see which one feels best to you, and how easy it is to use the controls. You will know the one for you when you hold it in your hands.
References :
Canon XSi.It take great quality picture.
References :
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012YA85A?ie=UTF8&tag=computer0bd-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0012YA85A
If you have a leaning towards one particular make, then go with that, however, if you also like Nikon stuff, you could also go for Fuji camera which use a Nikon lens throat, and thus any Nikon fit lenses, of which Sigma is arguably up there with the best.
I was previously a Canon user, but found I couldn’t get on with the EOS system, so I moved to Nikon which will tale all Nikon lenses as well as the independent makes such as Sigma.
Check out the links below.
References :
http://uk.search.yahoo.com/search?p=Fuji%20cameras
http://uk.search.yahoo.com/search?p=Sigma%20lenses
I own the Nikon D60, I am in love with it. It is such a great camera! So easy to use, great quality images. I would seriously urge you to purchase the D60
References :
Both Canon and Nikon produce very good systems, and it’s pretty much a wash quality wise. You’d have to be talking about sinking tens of thousands of dollars into your camera system before you’re going to notice any material differences.
The best way to decide between the two is to try them. Canon and Nikon have different control layouts and menu systems, and their own ergonomic quirks. Most people have a distinct preference for one or the other.
You are correct – it’s almost always wiser to stick to a single brand (or more accurately, a single lens mount) for dSLR equipment. It saves money, allows interoperability, and prevents confusion.
If you’re looking for something a little better then the two cameras you mentioned, you might look at used semi-pro models. The Nikon D80 and D200 jump to mind, as does the Canon 30D and Pentax K10D. Any of those 4 will easily outclass the two you mentioned, and the D200 and K10D are weather sealed to boot.
References :
My friends and I concur: CANON.
I found the XSi online for a variety of prices at nextag. The 18-55 mm lens is the same one I got with my XT and I REALLY want to get rid of it. Much better lenses out there. I do not have the 55-200 but the entry level 75-300mm has been decent for me. When I can I’ll be upgrading to the new 5D when it arrives.
References :
Photog-friends, family and personal use.
nextag.com
One correction: Canon offers the 55-250mm lens, while Nikon offers the 55-200mm lens.
Do you have spare lenses from your film SLR days? If so, are these lenses Nikon or Canon?
If you already have lenses from one of these manufacturers, then stick to that manufacturer and purchase a body to go along.
I am a Nikon guy, and of course I will be somewhat biased towards Nikon. However Canon is a respectable brand which makes great photographic equipment, and I wouldn’t doubt purchasing a Canon if all of a sudden Nikon doesn’t exist anymore (lol… hope not!).
I personally think Nikon has better camera bodies, they are built more sturdy, they have better materials (even those entry-level cameras too), have better button placement, and their menus are easier to navigate through. Not only that, but I prefer Nikon lenses as well.
Its all about building a system. Don’t think about the camera alone. Think about the lenses, flashes, filters, etc.
Go to a local store and try both cameras. And see which feels better in your hands.
After all, both systems are excellent.
Happy shooting!
References :
I used multiple Nikon bodies in 35mm for years and have always been a loyal Nikon fan. I recently bought the Canon Xsi and I’ve been converted. I chose this camera over the 40D because the sensors are the same (APS-C size CMOS) but has a couple of megapixels more resolution. The 40D has a lot more features than the "lower end" Xsi but you have to ask yourself, how many of those features am I really going to use? I’m a firm believer in buying what you need and not just stuff that gives you some quasi-professional status. I’d rather let my photos do the talking.
References :
The Canon XSi is a great choice. The 18-55mm IS lens that comes with it is not that bad. There are definitely better lenses out there, as someone already said, but I think it’s definitely worth hanging on to. The 18-55mm lense without IS that came with my brother in-laws XTi is another story…
In any case, I don’t think you will be disappointed, even if you would like to go beyond amateur status. Before I purchased my XSi, I read many reviews where people mentioned that they were seasoned photographers and still found countless ways to take great shots with this camera over their more expensive counterparts.
References :
As everyone here has said both of these are find brands and you really would not go wrong with either. I am a loyal Nikon user. I can give testament that I have used them since the 70’s and the first one I bought sttill works as well as the day I got it. As noted above right now Nikon has the best backward compatibility for lenses and the best performance for low noise at high ISO. I was reading on the eyefetch forum a couple of months ago about a person who bought a nikon lens and dropped it, breaking it. They sent it to Nikon and it could not be fixed. Nikon had no obligations as this person had dropped the lens it was not a defect in materials or workmanship. Still Nikon sold them a new lens at half price. Things like that build loyalty
The D60 is a great DSLR and will serve you well for years. When you do upgrade uyou will be able to use whatever accessories you buy for the D60 with any DX format Nikon DSLR. So far on the full frame DSLR Nikon has also made it so they can use both DX and FX lenses. I believe they will in the future as well
Enjoy whichever one you get
References :
There are better alternatives than the Canon Rebel or Nikon D60 and quite a bit more value for the buck.
If you are really on a very tight budget and want the best quality for the money, check out the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 which is reviewed at:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2008_reviews/panasonic_fz28.html
It just came out on November 4, 2008.
It’s an all-in-one 10.1 megapixel DSLR camera which includes (i) built-in image stabilization; (ii) HDTV quality video [Quicktime]; (iii) a 18x zoom [27 - 486 mm (35mm equiv.)] "Leica" lense for nature photography; (iv) up to 0.39 inch macro option; (v) up to 6400 ASA; (vi) takes up to 380 pictures per 120 min. battery charge; (vii) has a "burst speed" of 13 fps; and sells new for $270 at amazon.com.
Here’s an actual handheld picture of the moon:
http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/d5/c0/66b1810ae7a03f4d99e6c110.L.jpg
Good luck!
References :
I own this superb Leica camera.