which one to choose? Nikon or Canon?

[Renee]

:) Great website! Really helpful too !
I am about to purchase a DSLR, not totally new, did some photography with canon 10D years ago that I borrowed from the studio.
Anyways, please give me some advice. I would love to get a Nikon D80, right size in my hands, love the 11- AF points, looks of it and 10.2 megapixels. But then I am familiar with Canon, the 30D has less megapixels but its a bit faster.
What would be a good investment? I do some low light indoors (concerts) but I love to do some professional jobs in the near future. Please help me, I appreciate all your advice!

[Nicole]

I would love to get a Nikon D80, right size in my hands, love the 11- AF points, looks of it and 10.2 megapixels. But then I am familiar with Canon, the 30D has less megapixels but its a bit faster.

See, to me, that says you have your answer. I'd pick the one that feels right in your hands. If you like everything about the D80 aside from the fact that the 30D is slightly faster, I'd still say go with the D80. Especially since when it comes down to it, they both do the same thing, and I doubt if it will really be that hard to move between the brands (until you've made that investment in lenses).

What would be a good investment? I do some low light indoors (concerts) but I love to do some professional jobs in the near future. Please help me, I appreciate all your advice!

In all seriousness, your best investment is in good glass. You may go through all sorts of bodies, but the money is in the lenses. A good fast lens will get you those shots that you need. But this is also where you need to make your choice. Nikon or Canon... whichever body you get, you'll probably want to be able to stick with that brand for a while. :)

Now for my really biased answer: Get the Nikon :D

[Renee]

See, to me, that says you have your answer. I'd pick the one that feels right in your hands. If you like everything about the D80 aside from the fact that the 30D is slightly faster, I'd still say go with the D80. Especially since when it comes down to it, they both do the same thing, and I doubt if it will really be that hard to move between the brands (until you've made that investment in lenses).



In all seriousness, your best investment is in good glass. You may go through all sorts of bodies, but the money is in the lenses. A good fast lens will get you those shots that you need. But this is also where you need to make your choice. Nikon or Canon... whichever body you get, you'll probably want to be able to stick with that brand for a while. :)

Now for my really biased answer: Get the Nikon :D

thanks Nicole! Yeah, the investment is in the glass of course, once I start with either Nikon or Canon it will be the base for all lens purchases. Coming back to the fact, I am not familiar with Nikon at all. I know Canon, had some Canon point-and-shoots in the past, have CF cards (which is a minor thing) canon software, etc. Dont know if that is an advantage? It is just that Nikon is plastic, Canon is magnesium alloy, both feel good, almost same weight, size.
Is Nikon easier or more complicated than Canon? Looked too much into Rebel xTI or 30D and now I think maybe just go into other direction and pick up a Nikon d80??

[Nicole]

I haven't used a Canon dSLR, I had a Canon film SLR, but never really learned to use it the same way I did the Nikon. I find the Nikon pretty easy to use since I only started with it a little over a year ago. One thing I've got to say about the difference between the 2 cameras for ease of use (from looking at them online) is that I really like where Nikon puts the dials. The d50 only has the rear dial, but the d80 has a front and rear dial. In any case, where they are on the camera makes them really easy for quick adjustment of aperture / shutter speed in manual mode. To me, it looks like it would be easier to use the Nikon, since the Canon seems sort of awkwardly placed. I dunno, and remember I'm biased towards Nikon, but even reading the reviews I find myself leaning towards the D80... it just seems nicer :p

As far as the DF cards and Canon software, the software can really be ignored because either camera will come with software. The CF cards, well, if you have a lot of large ones then maybe that's a consideration. Just make sure you're careful with them if you get a camera that uses CF since a bent pin sucks and takes a long time to repair.

When it comes down to it though, I think the Nikon would be easier to use because of how the controls are placed and it does have the 10MP too ;)

[NaturesPixel]

I have a Nikon.. so some of what i say will be bias...lol i cant help it ...


i got my first SLR last June it was a D50... the reason i got it was that it fitted right in my hands.. and it used SD cards... if your going to be holding on to this camera for any length of time get the one that fits right... i have a mate that has the rebel XT... and its horrible to hold... i hate the fact that they don't have a top LCD screen they took out the back LCD screen on the XTi .tho the 30D does have a Top LCD

Last week i sold my D50 and brought a D80.. and fell in love with Nikon all over again.. its perfect for my hands the new extra Dial and buttons are wonderful and i don't have big hands at all.. just regular ladies hands plus its big enough for my hubby to hold too with out fear of him dropping it cause its to small..lol

good luck in finding your perfect match :)

so personally IMHO there is no real difference between the cameras.. its it all comes down to how you feel when holding the camera... you dont want to cringe every time you pick up the 30D cause it dont feel right

[Saralonde]

The Nikonians got to you first! :eek: Both are good camera companies. I'm a dedicated Canon user, but I wouldn't tell anyone that Nikon is bad in any way and I'm sure my Nikonian friends feel the same way :) . Check these links
http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8024#post8024
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_eos30d%2Cnikon_d80&show=all

[Renee]

to be honest, I never looked at a Nikon, not even held one in my hands....till last week. If I read the Internet and do all my research everywhere the Nikon seems a bit easier and less complicated than canon 30d. If I would go professional (weddings, kids, portraits) will this one do too?? thanks everyone, love to read all your advice and opinions. Kind a weird, I have been Canon user for years, feel kind of 'cheating' going to be Nikonian, haha...

[Saralonde]

I'm sure you would have no problem using the Nikon for the things you want to photograph. It is actually more dependent on the lenses you own than the body.

[Nicole]

Like Saralonde said, it definitely depends more on the lenses than the body whether or not you'll be able to do the things you want to do. Both have pretty much the same lenses, and the third party lenses are exactly the same except for the mount.

You know you want to go Nikon ;) lol In all seriousness though, pick the camera that you will like hauling around with you. If you want to photograph those sorts of things (especially weddings) you'll want a camera you're comfortable using, and feels easy to use as well. :) Good luck making a decision. We'll all try to point you in the right direction ;)

[Renee]

Yesssssssss.....bought the Nikon D80 today, with the 18-70 mm kit lens, since I have to wait to get myself the AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED. Am reallly excited. They did not have the 50 mm f/1.4 that I also like, so I first going to play with this lens. thanks for all your tips, advice, ideas!!

[Nicole]

Woohoo!!! Go Nikon ;) Enjoy :D And don't forget to post some pictures.

[Saralonde]

Enjoy your camera! And as Nicole said, post pictures:) .