Canon EOS 400D (Digital Rebel XTi) / Nikon D80?

Question

Which one is the best SLR in these Canon EOS 400D (Digital Rebel XTi) / Nikon D80? Experts/users pls explain me how.

Answer 1

The Nikon D80 has a slightly better feature set and the viewfinder is larger (which is actually pretty important).
The Canon has a built in dust-removal system and it's offers better image quality at ISO 800+.
Image quality at normal ISO values is comparable, both models have 10 MP, both do 3 FPS continuous, etc. And both are highly recommended for the price.
If you look at the bigger picture, both brands have a fantastic lineup of lenses and accessories, and both brands will still be there when you decide to upgrade the body in x years.
Read the in-depth reviews at places like Steve's Digicams and DPReview. See if either camera has unique features you really need. Visit a camera shop and tinker around with both cameras (I personally think that the D80 'feels' better.)

Answer 2

God bless you all for admitting it's a matter of preference. :-) Once you get to this level of camera, how it feels to the user matters the most.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_eos400d%2Cnikon_d80&show=all gives the Nikon about another ¼ of a star. Big whoop!

The two look like they are practically identical as far as specifications. The D80 allows up to +/-5 EV exposure compensation while the XTi "only" has +/-2 EV, but I doubt that is a very practical consideration in the real world. +/-2 EV is PLENTY and I can't imagine needing more under all but extreme circumstances. You'd be using a manual exposure then, most likely.

The D80 has rear-curtain flash sync, which can be kind of cool, but the XTi can take time-lapse photography when controlled by your PC.

The D80 is a quarter pound heavier.

Yes, I agree. Go to a REAL camera store and see how they both feel.

I am a Nikon user and love the results I get with my cameras. I love the feel of the controls, and so on. I admit that I "graduated into" the Nikon DSLR's and never tried Canon's. Maybe I would have liked them even better, but I'm extremely happy with what I have.

Answer 3

The truth is that neither one of these cameras is clearly better than the other. They are both competitors for the top slot of best entry level dSLR currently. There are some minor differences. I feel that the kit lenses available for the Nikon are superior to the ones that come bundled with the Canon. But, I also know that these cameras perform much better if you get them as the body only and simply buy a decent lens seperately. The XTi uses a CMOS sensor while the D80 uses a CCD sensor. In general, CMOS is better (lower noise at higher ISO for one thing), but many insist that the new CCD are comparable. There is speculation that the CCD in the D80 is actually made by Sony and is the same one in the Sony A100. I find that hard to believe since the A100 is a hunk of junk while the D80 is a very nice piece of equipment.

For every 5 guys out there that are like, Canon, they are the BEST (and they do have a point, Canon has, by far, the biggest slice of the dSLR market share for a reason....consistent high performance), there are 5 guys who say Nikon is better for people know what they are talking about. I tend to side with the Canon people but realistically, these cameras are equal and simply a matter of taste as to which you like better.

Stephen M is correct. The only way you are going to resolve this issue is to go down to a real camera shop and ask to play with them. You will probably like one alot better than the other. You could also do this at Circuit City of all places, where they leave these cameras out in the open for anyone who comes along to play with (big mistake, IMHO, but it's convenient). However, you really should consider going to a camera shop. The reason is you should ask the guys there to try out different lenses for these. There really is quite a difference with a good lens as opposed to the kit lenses. After testing it out, you will probably decide to buy it as the body only and get one of a wide selection of better lenses that appeals to you, as your standard, walking around lens.

Answer 4

Forget about features. These 2 cameras are about equal. Go to a reputable camera store - that's camera store, not Best Buy or some other box store - and try both cameras out. Get a feel for the controls, the weight, etc. Buy the one that seems to fit your hands best and that you find has a logical control layout, with ease of use being very important. Test the autofocusto see that it makes sense to you.