A friend of mine is looking to buy her first DSLR camera. I personally have only ever used Nikon SLR and DSLR cameras, so I don't feel I have a lot of knowledge of Canon or any other brands out there.
The cameras she's currently interested in are the Canon EOS Rebel T1i and the Nikon D3100. Has anyone had experience with these, or have a suggestion of a good DLSR camera in the same price range? (Around $500 US?)
Ah, a technical question. I for one use an Olympus and am satisfied enough to replace my older one with the E620. It had two flaws according to www.dpreview.com. It gets a bit noisy for photos over 800 which is not something I really need to worry about for the photos I take, and it does not have a video camera. Well darn not using my dslr for a video camera, while technology is great, I try to keep things in my bag light and easy.
I will say I was close to getting a Nikon, but once you have lenses and price out to replace them, it almost locks you in to the camera you started off with.
I am super bias because I am obsessed with Nikon's :) Love them...I am purchasing the Nikon D3100 in about a month (birthday present to myself...hehehe) and I know this is the camera for me because I have been fortunate enough to have a friend that owns it. He lets me borrow it all the time to explore it and make sure I am making the right choice...and I cannot wait till it is mine!! Nothing wrong with Canon, I am sure it would be a fabulous choice...I'm just tooooo obsessed with Nikon's though! :D
@emsabh -- Thank you Art, for the previous threads! I will admit I didn't check before I posted this, which I should have done. These are very informative and I appreciate you linking them!
I just picked up the Canon EOS Rebel T1i this week and love it so far. My "For Dummies" book arrived today, so I am excited about learning how to use it, as it's my first DSLR. While I have limited experience with both brands, I have had both Nikon and Canon digital cameras, and preferred the Canon.
Have the Nikon D3100 since Christmas - absolutely love it but don't have anything else to compare it to. I think it's a great camera for a first dslr and it has a 'guide' mode right on the camera so if you have a question you can often get the answer right there while shooting.
My fist slr was a Canon ftb - which I still have - using 35 mm film. Since then I have owned several other Canon slr's the latest a Rebel dlsr. I have been happy with Canon over the years and saw no reason to switch. Both Nikon & Canon are good candidates for a first dslr, so your friend can't go wrong.
I'm a Canon devotee, because of what I feel is the superiority of their image stabilization features over the Nikon's similar vibration reduction features.
I have the Canon XSi, and I love it. It was my first DSLR and it was so user friendly. I have since used the Nikon, and still prefer my Canon. Tell your friend good luck... its a hard decision!
Six of one, half a dozen of the other. Both manufacturers make awesome cameras. That being said, I wouldn't switch to Nikon even if you waived a $100,000 check in my face. :P
I know our business has used nothing but cannon for the last 15yrs. But when you really get down to it DSLR's around that price range will always be very similar even withen the same company.
Like another user said about lenses. Find out if your friend has any access to any other lenses, and since you already use a Nikon, have her get a Nikon with a different MM lens, and both of you can swap.
I was a Canon user about 10 years ago, and made the big and very expensive switch to Nikon. I certainly don't regret it. There's something about holding a Nikon Pro body in your hand and feeling like you're actually holding a camera and not a toy.
The Canon/Nikon glass is comparable in price and quality, but I truly believe that Nikon comes out on top in every area.
I currently use (2) Nikon D2H bodies and still have a D1H for backup. Perhaps a D3S in the future..
IT DOESN'T MATTER!
-except maybe to professional and that would probably be due to personal preferences & specific shoot styles. Seriously, you are spilling hairs between the best two camera/lens brands. Play with the menus of both cameras and go with the one that you are more drawn too.
If it is the specs of the camera that you are concerned about, then head over to dpreview.com to get a very detailed review on them. But I honestly think if you follow your gut feeling, you will be happy.
Absolutely love the new Canon 60D! It's has a great feel to it, love where the controls are located, and the pics it takes. For the price, it has many of the features of the Canon 7D, and that's one of the reasons I chose this camera!
The big thing is ...I can't tell from a picture what type of camera took the shot!
So let's accept that they can all take great pictures. Compare the costs and the two makes very cleverly track one another in terms of their target market. For performance (looking at specs) it is hard to find a clear winner, so what's it down to.
(a) How it feels for you to hold and use - that's important!
(b) which camp you want to find yourself in, which logo do you want around your neck.
In my home town, you are either a Liverpool supporter or an Everton supporter. Logic doesn't come into it (there is no middle ground) - I'm Everton proud of it, and I wont be shifted. :-D
Both are good. To be honest, I consider dslr bodies disposable. Especially at this price point. I think the Canon vs Nikon consideration comes into play when one is about to invest $'s in complimentary equipment. I remember trying to make this decision years ago when I was about to purchase my first real lens. I went Nikon. Now that I'm invested in Nikon gear (both in $'s and knowing the Nikon menus), it makes it a little tough to make the leap to Canon even though I occasionally wish I could.
I'm a fan of Nikon just because I have a Nikon. Looking through the amazing shots on this site you see wonderful shots from both Nikon and Canon and others. I agree with @ellida 's observation ~ it's all about what feels right.
Nikon vs Canon is a lot like Ford vs Chevy. You're getting a quality product, regardless. They are both constantly challenging each other for top dog and lead the trends in advancing sensor and optics. I personally have had good luck finding affordable lenses (imho there seems to be a little more variety, also) for my Nikon. That's where your wisest investment will be - the lenses.
It's completely about preference and what your used to. Camera's don't take photos, photographers do. "You don't take a photograph, you make it." - Ansel Adams
I have just bought the Canon 500d (or rebel t1) a few days ago and i absolutely love it so far! What threw it for me was the ease of getting lenses to fit and great reviews
Hi everyone! I am Dana's friend who is buying the camera. I have been doing so much research, and now a new camera has been brought to my attention (Sony a55). It was apparently voted camera of the year by some company maybe dpreview. Regardless, it is an slt meaning that there is no mirror that needs to move; it is a translucent mirror so that the image can go thru it. Since it has this new technology it is super fast. I was previously leaning toward the Nikon D3100, but this thru a major kink in the decision process. Suggestions?? Comments?? Thank you all so much!!!
Nikon! I love my Nikon (D5000). Then again, I've never owned a Canon. I agree with the statements above. It's not the equipment that makes the art, it's the person behind the equipment. A hammer can't build a house with out the carpenter.
If she's new to DSLR, perhaps she should choose a brand based on the most "newbie" friendly features? Nikon D3000/D5000 certainly have these.
Personally, I wouldn't consider anything other than Nikon or Canon. Personally Nikon for me. But regardless, these two companies will be around for a long time. The others??? who knows.
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I will say I was close to getting a Nikon, but once you have lenses and price out to replace them, it almost locks you in to the camera you started off with.
http://365project.org/discuss/general/1957/canon-v-nikon
@emsabh -- Thank you Art, for the previous threads! I will admit I didn't check before I posted this, which I should have done. These are very informative and I appreciate you linking them!
Like another user said about lenses. Find out if your friend has any access to any other lenses, and since you already use a Nikon, have her get a Nikon with a different MM lens, and both of you can swap.
The Canon/Nikon glass is comparable in price and quality, but I truly believe that Nikon comes out on top in every area.
I currently use (2) Nikon D2H bodies and still have a D1H for backup. Perhaps a D3S in the future..
-except maybe to professional and that would probably be due to personal preferences & specific shoot styles. Seriously, you are spilling hairs between the best two camera/lens brands. Play with the menus of both cameras and go with the one that you are more drawn too.
If it is the specs of the camera that you are concerned about, then head over to dpreview.com to get a very detailed review on them. But I honestly think if you follow your gut feeling, you will be happy.
So let's accept that they can all take great pictures. Compare the costs and the two makes very cleverly track one another in terms of their target market. For performance (looking at specs) it is hard to find a clear winner, so what's it down to.
(a) How it feels for you to hold and use - that's important!
(b) which camp you want to find yourself in, which logo do you want around your neck.
In my home town, you are either a Liverpool supporter or an Everton supporter. Logic doesn't come into it (there is no middle ground) - I'm Everton proud of it, and I wont be shifted. :-D
Thank you all for taking the time to post your thoughts/opinions/feedback! My friend really appreciates it (as do I!).
If she's new to DSLR, perhaps she should choose a brand based on the most "newbie" friendly features? Nikon D3000/D5000 certainly have these.