Nikon D5000 vs. Canon Xsi ????

[acoleman]

I've been wanting a dslr for years and i'm finally about to take the plunge, but I'm torn right now between a canon xsi and the nikon D5000. I really like the movable screen on the D5000 because I plan on taking low angle shots and I think it would come in very handy. Also where I'm a begginer I think the D5000 would help me understand the camera better. Just wanted to get some idea on what you guys like best. Thanks for any help.

[Samanax]

Get the D5000, it's a very good entry level DSLR.

[dcclark]

The best advice I can give is: go to a store and try each camera in your hands. See how it feels (is it comfortable? how is its weight? Are your fingers able to reach everything reasonably easily?), play with the menus and controls, and generally see what you like and dislike about each.

The D5000 is a very good beginning DSLR, and the Xsi is also a good entry-level DSLR. In the end, it'll be more about which camera you think fits you best, and that can only be done by trying them in your hands.

[acoleman]

thank you very much for the replies. Where could I go to try out both cameras?

[dcclark]

If you have a local camera store, that's a good bet (any large-ish city will have them). If not, you could try any store with a big electronics section or any electronics store (Fry's, for exampe).

[acoleman]

Okay thank you. shew I live in eastern kentucky and the closest big city is lexington >.> And I don't even know if they have a camera store. I will check it out tho.

[inkista]

The only gotcha with the D5000 is the Nikon focus motor issue, the practical upshot of which is that only AF-S lenses (not AF) will autofocus on the D5000. The majority of Nikon's zooms are AF-S, but most of Nikon's non-zoom lenses (primes) aren't. If you move up to a D80/D90 or higher-tiered model, this ceases to be an issue. This is a Nikon-specific issue. All the other brands, if you buy a new lens, it will autofocus on the camera body.

Autofocus is generally only needed if you plan on shooting fast action photography (sports, small children, stage) and won't have time to focus the shot manually. For landscape or portrait work, manual focus is perfectly fine. And a consumer zoom may only be a problem if you're shooting in low light. So, say, if you plan on shooting a lot of basketball in the gym, or dance recitals on the stage, I'd recommend going with an XSi and $400 EF 85/1.8 USM lens, unless you can spend more than $1500 on a 70-200 f/2.8 IS/VR lens. But otherwise, I don't think there are any major differences.

[dcclark]

acoleman: Lexington should have several camera stores! But you don't have to go to a dedicated camera store -- any Target, Fry's, etc. should have a good selection of cameras too.

[acoleman]

That sounds great. I think I'll end up going with the d5000 seeing as I'll mainly be shooting landscapes and nature scenes with the occasional stage performance. Thanks a lot guys for all your help!!

[kirbinster]

You will love the D5000, I have one and it takes pictures just as good as my D300!