Replacing my 450D - do I go Nikon?

[Vrinda]

The other week I was staying with friends. During the night their house was broken into and, amidst a huge amount of other stuff, my entire camera kit was taken. My Canon 450D, four lenses, and all the other bits and pieces that you collect up over time. My poor baby.

I loved my 450D, but now that I have no lenses left to hold me to Canon, I'm back to weighing up the pros and cons of the age-old Canon vs Nikon debate. So here are my questions: If you have a Canon or Nikon, are you happy with it? What makes it good? Or would you change it if you could?

My current choice is between the Canon 550D or the Nikon D90.

I want to get serious about portraiture, but would also like have a dSLR I can use to make films (my degree is in filmmaking) and am not sure how each camera performs in these areas.

Any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

Vrinda

[tuxcomputers]

My choice would still be Pentax, I love that I can put a 30 year old 50mm f1.7 lens on the body and have image stabilisation.

Unless Canon or Nikon have cut their own throats and put stabilisation in the body, have they done that?

[Vrinda]

Originally Posted by tuxcomputers

My choice would still be Pentax, I love that I can put a 30 year old 50mm f1.7 lens on the body and have image stabilisation.

Ah, I do love the in-body IS in my Olympus E-P1

[tasmo2]

if your into films look into the Cannon 7D... I am Nikon, so don't know much, but I had a friend who recently switched over to Cannon purely for that camera. I am guessing that if you are into film this will mean something to you.. it doesn't to me, but he said he chose it because it has 24fp.

[OsmosisStudios]

Look into the new Nikon D7000 over the D90. Depending on how well it does in reviews, of course.

[jdgonzalez]

I'm a Nikon user but not because of image stabilization, lens quality, features. I simply love the way it feels in my hand. I have a D90 and the grip and ergonomics of it are much better than the Canon counterparts. Everything is logically placed with a very natural feel. The Canon felt a little awkward in my hand.

That being said, I don't think you would be disappointed with any camera at that level.

[Photologyst]

So, sorry to hear about the robbery. What a shame. I try to lock everything up whenever I leave my home. However, nothing is for sure if there are professionals involved.

The Nikon vs. Canon is sort of the same debate as Mac vs. PC.

I am a Mac and Nikonian for the same reasons. Ease of use and ergonomics. As a female with small hands, I like the way the Nikons feel in my hands — There is also the lens issue. One can use even old, film lenses on the Nikons.

However, both cameras are typically rated tops. You need to feel them in your hands and “test drive.”

I recommend the D300 if you can go there.

Good luck!

[bearly]

to me it would make the most sense to stick with the brand that you already know and are comfortable with. that way you don't have to relearn the menus and control layouts. either way though they are both excellent cameras. you might also want to look at the canon 60D...