Canon vs. Nikon

[Machka]

I am in the market for a good DSLR camera ... and first of all, you'll have to forgive me if my terminology isn't quite right here ...

I've decided that I would like either a Canon or Nikon.

I've also decided that I would like either the 60 series or 7 series Canon (or something similar), which I've been told are a high level recreational camera (Canon EOS 60D) and a professional camera (Canon EOS 7D). Is that correct?

But I don't know what a comparable Nikon would be.

I'd like to read some reviews on them all and come to a decision.

Thank you very much for your help

[zona5101]

Nikon D300 & D7000

[digirebelva]

dont just read on them, go into a store and handle them, see which one fits you, see which one has controls that make the most sense to you....consider the lens line up..consider what type of photography you want to do....everyone has their opinions on the best camera(s)...but YOU will be the one using whatever it is you wind up with.

[John Hendry]

Originally Posted by digirebelva

dont just read on them, go into a store and handle them, see which one fits you, see which one has controls that make the most sense to you....consider the lens line up..consider what type of photography you want to do....everyone has their opinions on the best camera(s)...but YOU will be the one using whatever it is you wind up.

Both are great.

Go get your hands on them see which one you like.

all the best

[RichardTaylor]

Originally Posted by Edrico

I haven't used a Cannon camera.I guess the difference apart from price is the quality which is guaranteed in Nikon due to its high resolution camera.

Guess?
This statement is incorrect.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by Machka

I've decided that I would like either a Canon or Nikon.

This is a reasonable choice to make. Canon and Nikon have the largest and most popular systems, so they're the easiest to find, and have the most 3rd party support. Going with Pentax, Olympus, or Sony is liable to limit your lens/accessory choices a bit more. But all five systems are terrific, and there's not a bad one in the bunch.

Make sure that you don't have a specific need that the Canon/Nikon equipment can't address. The two main spots where the 3rd parties will differ are in-body stabilization, weather-proofing (Pentax!), and specific lens manufacturers (e.g., Sony is the only mount system that offers autofocusing Zeiss glass; Pentax is the only SLR system with pancake lenses. Olympus is the only system that can share lenses with full function with the micro four-thirds systems, etc.) Chances are good, though, that Canon or Nikon will make you happy.

I've also decided that I would like either the 60 series or 7 series Canon (or something similar), which I've been told are a high level recreational camera (Canon EOS 60D) and a professional camera (Canon EOS 7D). Is that correct?

Wellllllll... yes, and no.

Correct in that the 60D is a lower tier than the 7D, and the D7000 is a lower tier than a D300, and that all of those tiers are higher than entry level, and are used by professionals to do professional work. But these are referred to as "prosumer" cameras, as are the full frame models, the 5D Mark II (Canon) and the D700 (Nikon).

But the current "pro" lines are the Canon 1X, and the Nikon D4. These are $6000+ cameras that offer a lot of features not found on the prosumers, such as an integrated grip.

Secondly, I'm assuming you're making your choice determined on the pricetag of the camera kit (i.e., body+a kit lens). You need to rewind and rethink that a bit more, if this is your first dSLR. Chances are good you have assumptions about purchasing a dSLR, thinking that it's an upgrade. That all you're going to need to do is buy the kit, maybe some cards, batteries, and one or two lenses (which you assume will be $100-$300 apiece), and then you'll be done, and that the main issue you have to worry about is the camera body and which one's "the best."

Sad to say, while these are perfectly reasonable assumptions based on compact digital camera experience, that's not how it works. (My standard "dSLR is not a P&S upgrade lecture").

With cameras, the body is actually the least important part of the equation, except for what system it locks you into. Because these are digital electronics, most cameras tend to last in the range of three to five years, before they break down or someone wants to upgrade. Think cellphones. Think computers. Not film cameras, which were mostly mechanical and could last decades.

In this scenario, your lenses are going to be what you keep, and where most of your money is going to go. And rethink lens prices. Bodies, in fact, can more easily be thought of as accessories for your lenses than the other way around. And a "cheap" lens (if you're purchasing new) will be in the $100-300 range. A mid-grade lens will be around $600, and a pro lens will generally be over $1000. And you're likely to want at least three if not more of them.

So, while you may want a prosumer camera, you may also want to save up enough cash to get lenses.

And a bag. And a cable release. And a tripod. Maybe a remote. Some lighting gear. Etc. etc. This is a camera system. The versatility and power of shooting SLRs is that there's so much specialized equipment. And nearly all of it costs because it's specialized. dSLR photography is expensive. You will spend, at minimum, two to three times what you spend on the body equipping yourself. Just get used to that thought right now.

I'd like to read some reviews on them all and come to a decision.

DPreview tends to be the internet website that carries a ton of spec and review information on cameras. Their reviews on dSLR models are pretty thorough, and about a dozen pages long. Their discussion forums are ... er.... rough'n'tumble, and opinions are presented as facts, but you can get a lot of people sharing personal experiences with their gear there, too.

For a solid Canon reviewer, I would also point to the-digital-picture.com, and Bob Atkins. For Nikon gear, I'd send you to Thom Hogan. Others would say Ken Rockwell, but be aware that he can be eccentric and inconsistent and his technical knowledge has been questioned. You have to be able to discern between the good and bad advice on his website, and as a newbie, that may be harder to do until you get a bit more experience under your belt. Just read him with a slightly more skeptical eye at first.

Lastly, there's a forum run by Fred Miranda, which has a reviews section, where people can post their reviews on individual camera bodies and lenses, and the experience level there is slightly higher than, say, dpreview. You'll get a huge mass of contradictory opinions, but it can give you a good feel for whether a piece of equipment will be a good fit for you or not.

[Machka]

I'm not quite so new to this that I don't know the price of lenses (and all the other equipment). I know photography can be expensive ... and that's OK. I'm not making my selection based on price. Size, weight, and quality are bigger considerations for me.

My first love is cycling ... followed closely by travelling ... and I would like to add photography into that mix.

While my point-and-shoots are very small, light, and convenient, I would like to start taking better quality photos on my travels.

I had to smile at the suggestion to try the cameras to test them for fit. That is the same comment we make in cycling forums when people ask about new bicycles. Fit is one of the most important factors in buying a new bicycle.

I have held and tried both the Canon EOS 7D and the Canon EOS 60D, and as far as fit and comfort in handling goes, the 60D is better. Because it is smaller, it would probably travel more conveniently as well. However, I have not had a chance to take a look at any of the Nikon's yet.

Thank you to zona5101 who answered the specific question I had regarding the Nikon cameras.

Thank you to inkista for linking me to some reviews.


And regarding lenses ... first, I want a decent lens I can travel with.

[bigben6]

agree with everything said, I would argue that starting with a $1K is truly NOT necessarily the best idea, when you consider what new and capable, why not a D5100 or a t3i for way less money and your not giving up alot of performance.

DPreview for good analysis but i also like this site for a technical comparison, its not a full review, but alot of times its easier and quicker than trying to bounce between multiple reviews: http://snapsort.com/compare

[sk66]

Travelling> cycling> then photography?
You might want to consider something more like the Sony Nex-7 or Canon G1x or Fuji X-pro 1. These are all large sensor compacts and will be a huge step from the typical P&S in quality/capability( and price) but still maintain a notable travel/packability advantage....

[inkista]

Originally Posted by sk66

Travelling> cycling> then photography?
You might want to consider something more like the Sony Nex-7 or Canon G1x or Fuji X-pro 1. These are all large sensor compacts and will be a huge step from the typical P&S in quality/capability( and price) but still maintain a notable travel/packability advantage....

+1

dSLR quality, but smaller bodies and lenses. With micro four-thirds, a four lens setup is still manageable in a smallish camera bag.

Again, dpreview has the goods:

• Mirrorless Roundup 2011: Digital Photography Review
• Fujifilm X-Pro1 Preview: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review
• Canon PowerShot G1 X Preview: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review