Which do you recommend: Canon Digital Rebel EOS XT, Nikon d50 or d70, or the Canon Powershot S3 IS?

Question

I really have my heart set on a digital SLR, and I'll be using this for two or three photo classes in school.

Answer 1

I am sure that you know the difference between DSLR and DSLR-like camera. The Canon Powershot S3 IS is a DSLR-like with a fixed lens. The great thing in the camera is its IS or Image Stabilizer which is embedded in the camera itself.

For the DSRL, it was a really great advice from one professional photographer in the Photo.net when he commented that "when you want to but a DSLR, think first in your collection of its lenses". It is clear that you have to make a budget for your lenses before thinking of buying a DSLR. For me, as a beginner I will choose the Canon Rebel XT or the Canon D50. They are both cheap, have a great 8MP resolution, have wide range of different lenses, and the important thing have less complicated functions rather than D70.
If you want not to spend so much money in lenses, you have to choose the Canon Powershot S3 IS or the Panasonic DMC-FZ50.

Answer 2

If you have your heart set on a DSLR, then the S3IS is out. A fine camera- but only get it if you really want something more compact with a single zoom.

As far as your other choices- they're all good. The Canon has a few extra mega pixels- which is nice, but 6mp is really all you need. On the flip side, I find the Nikon's build quality to feel a bit sturdier and it has a few more features. The viewfinder on the D70 is smaller. The kit lens on the Canon isn't the best, although the Nikon's kit lens isn't bad for the price. But- for either, if you can afford it, get a better lens.

Or- you could wait for the new Nikon D80 with its 10mp sensor. Which is already available in the Sony A100 with image stabilization. I haven't seen it in person, but I'd love to look at the new Pentax K100D- which also has image stabilization built in.

but- with your choices, I'd probably go for the Nikon D50. It's a terrific camera, not crippled in features like the XT, and most think it has a better feel than the Canon, although not necessarily better image quality. Plus, it's available for ~ $550 and you have your choice of all that wonderful Nikon glass (i.e. lenses). IT has a better continuous mode, takes SD cards, a 2.0" LCD. The high ISO performance is actually a bit better on the D50 than the D70, and the shutter release delay is a bit faster on the D50 over the 70 or XT.

yeah- the more I think about it, go with the D50.

Answer 3

The powershot is a compact digital camera. All the other cameras in your list are digital SLRs or Single Lens Reflex cameras where you can change lenses.

Since you are going to take photography clases, I would recommend that you take an digital SLR camera. In the digital SLR cameras the heart is the sensor which contains all the photosites to sense the light and then use the processor to compute and convert it into a image file and record in the CF card.

Canon is the leader in digital SLR cameras in technology and sales. The sensors of Canon cameras are very good in low light. In low light you can use high ISO settings and get relatively noise free images. Where as Nikon cameras are not so good in terms of noise. So you should buy the Canon Digital Rebel EOS XT. It has higher number of mega pixels, a fantastic sensor and the line up of lenses of Canon is great.

Pick up the Canon Digital Rebel EOS XT and life won't be the same again.

Answer 4

Get a D70s NOW before they are gone. They chopped the price to make way for the D80 and it is the buy of the year..

I have a D200, D70s and D50 (my wife's) and I can tell you that the D50 is no slouch if the budget is extremely important. It can do every bit of photography that the D70s can and is only lacking some features that might be considered high end.

Get the D70s.

Answer 5

it all depends on yourself, go to a store that has these cameras and try to feel how each camera fits in your hands and how easy and accessible are the buttons for you. i go for nikon because i've grown used to their buttons arrangements. the digital rebel is in the same class as d50 or d70s while canon 30d is in the same league as nikon d80 (its gonna be out soon). note that all of them are good cameras however, i'd not recommend d50 for the reason that you might need to learn more features while you are still studying since d50 is really a simple camera.

Answer 6

I have the D70 and love it, after looking at all the cameras, I felt that it was the best. Go to a store and hold all of them, see what feels the most comfortable to you. If you have a film SLR, you might want to just get a digital back that can work with your lens, it will save you some money!

Answer 7

Go for the new Canon Digital Rebel EOS XTi (400D) ..it has more pixels, big screen and Dust removal system...and mostly canon systems make great pics at higher ISO

Canon EOS 400D features
• 10.1 effective Megapixels
• APS-C size 22.2 x 14.8 mm CMOS image sensor
• Focal length of 1.6x
• Dust removal system
• 3 frames per second - maximum of 27 JPEG or 10 RAW
• 9-point auto focus system
• 2.5-inc LCD monitor

Answer 8

i recomend the Nikon D50... though i havent used it a hole lot, you can get them for about $400 on e-bay (factory refurb.) and i am very partial to nikon... i have had a nikon N55 film camera for well over 6 yrs and have only had 1 problem with it... but friends that had other stuff were always complaining... but this is just my oppinion... go nikon weather it be the 50 or 70... the 50 is a bit cheaper... but if you have the money... go for the 70

Answer 9

since the 400D (or Rebel XTi) is now available, maybe you can find an XT on sale. It will serve your school and future picture needs just fine. I like the Canon and recommend it for the low noise when taking indoor and lowlight photos. enjoy.