D5000 vs. Rebel T1i

[winterstar]

I know one is Canon and one is Nikon, but I'd like people to say why they'd pick the Nikon over the Rebel (or Rebel over the Nikon.)

I've done my research on Canon, and now I wish to study Nikon.

I shoot mostly portraits, birds, wildlife and landscapes.

Thank you!

[OsmosisStudios]

I never got used to the canon control scheme. Even now, no matter how hard i try, it simply isn;t happening.

[Raoul Isidro]

Just a quick reply for both cameras...
The D5000 uses AF-S lenses for full AF function and cannot AF on the old D or AF lenses, which limits the lens capability and choice.
The 500D can use any Canon lens that's an EOS even from the filmn era.
But the D5000 has an LCD swivel screen like no other, very versatile and trend setting. It will be copied for sure, as it is groundbreaking.
Cheers, gotta go...

[Almond.Butterscotch]

Your signature says you're also comparing the 50D and D60. If megapixels aren't as big a deal, you may as well throw in the D40 to the comparison- it's nearly identical to the D60 except it has fewer pixels- really not that big a deal.

That said, the D5000 sensor is the same as that in the D90 and D300 and should be better than the D60 and D40 at higher ISOs, so if pixels and ISO are big deals, then the D5000 beats both the D60 and D40.

Now, the 50D, if I understand the Canon lineup right, fits in somewhere between the Nikon D90 and D300. The D90 (and especially the D300) are in a very, very different league from the D5000. The 90 is much more hobbyist and D300 serious amateur whereas I think I'd say the D5000 is small step above the entry level cameras (like the D40, D60, and D3000), and is probably in the same division as the T1i (give or take a bit here and there; it is, afterall, all a giant game of leapfrog between the two companies).

I had a friend a couple months ago, around late November, early December, trying to make the choice between T1i and I believe it was the D5000 (but I might be wrong). Anyways, we talked for a bit and I asked her why she wasn't considering the D90 and she said she just never looked into it, but when she took a handle of each at a camera store, she chose the D90.

Point being: go into a camera store (or Best Buy?) and pick up the T1i and D5000 (and maybe even the D90 if you're feeling adventurous and your wallet allows it) and see which one feels more natural. Both Nikon and Canon are playing leapfrog with each other, but in general, from what I can tell, the natural feel of each brand is generally the same.

Also, keep in mind you're not just choosing a camera, but you're choosing a system, and it becomes very expensive and difficult to change systems a couple years down the line if you've obtained a couple of lenses and speedlights and what have you here and there.

I'm sure there will be people who disagree with some of the things I've said here, especially concerning where the 4 different cameras mentioned fit in against each other, but since I've already jumped in, I'll throw this bit in regarding the "buying a system" bit:

Canon has a wider variety of lenses and since they've been using electronic AF since the 80s, most every lens they have out now will autofocus on any Canon you get made since then (whereas for Nikon the low end cameras, D40/x/60/3000/5000 will only focus electronically and all the others can do both electronically (AF-S) and mechanically [with the screw, AF]). That said, Nikon Nikkor lenses are typically said to be sharper and better.

[Almond.Butterscotch]

Wow- that was a lot more than I meant to say. Sorry 'bout that.

[winterstar]

Originally Posted by Almond.Butterscotch

Wow- that was a lot more than I meant to say. Sorry 'bout that.

Thank you though!