I currently use a Canon 450D, but I have no qualms about moving to Nikon before I build up an extensive lens collection. I'm thinking about upgrading to the Canon D50 (or the D60, as I've heard it's out soon), but before I do I want to give serious consideration to Nikon's similar range.
Can you guys tell me what the differences are, and why you chose the brand you currently use? And yes, I will go into a shop and try both before I buy - but I'm interested in your opinions too!
My advice would be to hire a Nikon or borrow one for a week and use it until you're used to it and see how you feel about it's functionality. I had a Nikon before I had a Canon and making the change changed my life - I just find the Canons so much nicer to use. But then I hear Nikon owners say the same thing, I guess it's a matter of finding what's right for you.
For me, people I know were shooting Canon and I decided to make the move when my flash died on a Nikon. I bought a second hand 400d off ebay and instantly the Canon felt easier to use - I much prefer the menu system and location of all the controls. I've been to a few interviews at various studios recently and all of them shoot Canon, plus my cousin who is a very talented fashion photographer swears by Canon. There also seems to be more available cheap accessories on ebay for them - the remotes and whatnot.
Model wise - I am 100% happy with my decision to buy a 5D mkII - it really made everything possible all of a sudden. If I hadn't had the money to buy the 5D I would have bought the 550D, which is around the same price as the 50D. The main reason for me never looking back from Canon is their L series of lenses, serious glass which produce serious results - I class my 135mm as the best thing I ever bought bar the camera and my macbook pro! Maybe Nikon do a similar range but that's of no interest to me - I'm sticking with what I know and love! :)
Great answer Emma - although I'm surprised you'd go for the 550D over the 50D when the only obvious benefit is the HD camcorder function? As an out and out camera though I thought the 50D is clearly better, unless I'm missing something? Anyway, it seems like the 60D is imminent and I think that'll be the one to get...
I'm thinking of upgrading my clunky old 350D in a few months, and I was thinking the 550D is the camera for me, as I am already invested in canon'S EF-S lenses. Is the 50D similar in price to the 550D?
Also compact/lightweight is somewhat of an issue for me, I dont want one of those huge magnesium bodies, when I travel I carry my camera on my wrist strap 5-12 hours a day while I walk around.... It gets tiring after a while!
ok just looked up some info on the 50D, sounds pretty solid. It's not clear to me if the sensor is full format or the smaller one which introduces this magnification factor with lenses? I have invested alot and love my canon EF-S 17-85mm and thus don't want to move to a full format camera that will require a new lens as well.
50D uses EF-S lenses too - it's a x1.6 body. But it's for man-hands! The 450D and likewise models is a bit too dinky for me. 50D is not too heavy I think - a good compromise and a true pro-sumer camera.
Nikon bodies with built in flash come with Creative Lighting System (optical remote control & triggering of compatable off-camera flashes). This is one of my favourite features of my D90 and SB900 combo. Gettingthe same functionality with a Canon requires extra hardware.
I think it really comes down to what works better for you. I like Canon because I have been using for years, and have had good experiences with their cameras. It is really a personal choice, is what it comes down to. You can argue minor functionality points forever. Canon vs. Nikon is a big deal and, mostly friendly, competition in my camera club. If you can borrow or rent a Nikon to use for a period of time and see how you like it compared to your Canon, that is what I would suggest.
I just got a Canon Rebel T2i. Big factor was having full HD 1080P video. I also figured if I kept reading threads like this and wavering back and forth I would never get one. Just needed to make a decision. All brands have pros and cons. I have also never owned a Nikon and decided to stay with what has been reliable for me in cameras for at least 30 years. Never had a Canon break down. I am totally in love with this camera...that's what counts.
I can't tell you about the difference between the cameras, but Nikon have great customer service. My P&S developed a few problems so I emailed them through the website, got a reply the next working day telling me to send it to them and had it back 3 weeks later with pretty much everything looked at and changed, no charge. There were never any quibbles like you sometimes get with companies saying it's your fault for whatever reason. Nikons also come with a two year warranty, don't know about Canons.
It's like Honda vs. Toyota. They make it a point to try match each other model for model. It's the Cold War of photography, and the arms race will continue forever.
I shoot Nikons for two reasons:
1. Build quality (less plastic-y in my opinion).
2. Lens selection. The focal ranges for Canon lenses seem weird to me and make no sense, especially for their digital bodies, but even sometimes for the full frames too. For example, 17-40mm? Really? And who wants this? WTF Canon?
Unless you plan on getting the canon 85mm f/1.2 or 50mm f/1.2 I would and did go with Nikon. If you really plan on getting into flashes and lighting Nikon's CLS is just too awesome. Nikon's ED glass is just awesome too, so sharp. If you plan on shooting in quick bursts though Nikon falls a tad short compared to Canon... Canon just seems to have higher FPS when compared to equivalent models of Nikon.
If you plan on REALLY getting into it, the $2K plus bodies, Nikon's bodies out perform Canons in everyway... Nikon's can even move from a full frame to a crop frame of 1.3 but at the avg consumer level the bodies will be about the same... give or take a little here and there.
Like suggested, look at what you plan to shoot, how you plan to shoot, then go hold and use a Nikon for a bit, give it more then a day to get use to it and see what you like.
honestly, i think there really isnt that much of a difference. it mostly depends on opinion.
like i have a nikon, and i like them better. sorta. you know?
I love my Canon 50D, I have not had it for long but I am very happy with my purchase. Its casing is not plasticy like the 500D, it is heavy and the lens I have is an IS 17-85 which is also not plasticy like the 18-50. Its really personal preferance, but I like quality and longevity, so the 50D it was for me!
I like both brands, but went Nikon years ago and remained loyal to them. No reason other than I'm invested and like the interface better than Canon, but there again it's just what I'm used to. If you often shoot in low light (high iso) and have deep pockets, I can make a stronger case for a Nikon body. Beyond that I think it's all personal preference and which glass fits your shooting style. I'm hopeful Nikon will announce some updates to there dslr line this Fall.
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For me, people I know were shooting Canon and I decided to make the move when my flash died on a Nikon. I bought a second hand 400d off ebay and instantly the Canon felt easier to use - I much prefer the menu system and location of all the controls. I've been to a few interviews at various studios recently and all of them shoot Canon, plus my cousin who is a very talented fashion photographer swears by Canon. There also seems to be more available cheap accessories on ebay for them - the remotes and whatnot.
Model wise - I am 100% happy with my decision to buy a 5D mkII - it really made everything possible all of a sudden. If I hadn't had the money to buy the 5D I would have bought the 550D, which is around the same price as the 50D. The main reason for me never looking back from Canon is their L series of lenses, serious glass which produce serious results - I class my 135mm as the best thing I ever bought bar the camera and my macbook pro! Maybe Nikon do a similar range but that's of no interest to me - I'm sticking with what I know and love! :)
Also compact/lightweight is somewhat of an issue for me, I dont want one of those huge magnesium bodies, when I travel I carry my camera on my wrist strap 5-12 hours a day while I walk around.... It gets tiring after a while!
I shoot Nikons for two reasons:
1. Build quality (less plastic-y in my opinion).
2. Lens selection. The focal ranges for Canon lenses seem weird to me and make no sense, especially for their digital bodies, but even sometimes for the full frames too. For example, 17-40mm? Really? And who wants this? WTF Canon?
:)
If you plan on REALLY getting into it, the $2K plus bodies, Nikon's bodies out perform Canons in everyway... Nikon's can even move from a full frame to a crop frame of 1.3 but at the avg consumer level the bodies will be about the same... give or take a little here and there.
Like suggested, look at what you plan to shoot, how you plan to shoot, then go hold and use a Nikon for a bit, give it more then a day to get use to it and see what you like.
like i have a nikon, and i like them better. sorta. you know?