Canon vs. Nikon

[Raoul Isidro]

I use both brands, Nikon and Canon.
Nikon crippled their cheap camera line up by removing the AF motor within the camera body, (D40, et. al.) therebye limiting the precious AF function to only NEW AF-S designated lenses. The old Nikon AF lenses are useless on these bodies for AF function.
Canon did this a long time ago when it began the EOS legacy and abandoning the FD lens line up. Nikon is 25 years too late in doing this, which irritates me because I have so many old Nikkor lenses. Canon, in turn, have 3 sensor sizes for their digital DSLR cameras which is confusing to newcomers to the brand and I would not even want to discuss that here.
Both Nikon and Canon are leading edge. Choosing one over the other, you still win. As long as these two wrestlers slug it out for supremacy, we the users are the winners.

[RichardTaylor]

@ ctcook
define "better"

[ctcook]

better = more advantageous or effective in performance.

[irispatch]

Both nikon and Canon are excellent and both have a strong following. Things to consider:
The lenses you have, will they perform as well or better on a newer body or will you replace them with upgraded lenses? Will these lense sell easily if you decided to switch?
If you switch to Canon you will have to get new lenses from Canon's very large and varied line up. If you stay with Nikon you have two lenses to start with so less out lay before you start upgrading your glass ( if you need or choose to).

[Jim Bryant]

I've used Canon for 40 years. Is there really anything else better out there besides Lecia?

[RichardTaylor]

Depends on what lens and what you are using it for, and what year is it is ( ie; models.)

If you want to use off camera flash the I feel Nikon is the way to go because of Nikons CLS lighting system.

However when I am shooting motor sport with my Canon 100-400 F4.5-F5.6 IS L, Nikon owners say to me "I wish Nikon made a lens like that" and I think "his camera may focus faster and more accurately than mine than mine".

At the end of the day it is a system that meets all your needs.

If you have a fair investment in Lenses then stick with the brand you have now if not then from purely a numbers point of view you may want to check out DPR especially their camera comparison.

Buying Guide: Side-by-side: Digital Photography Review