Three cameras to choose from, which one would you go for?

Question

Nikon D50 for $699
Nikon comes with included 512MB memory card and following specs:

•6.1-megapixel
•SLR
•Five-sensor AF •2" LCD
•AF-S DX 18-55mm lens
•i-TTL Speedlight

Canon Digital Rebel XT: has no included memory card and the following specs

•8-megapixel
•SLR
•Seven-point autofocus •1.8" LCD
•EF-S 18-55mm lens
•PictBridge-enabled

Nikon D70s for $899 with free 512MB memory card and following specs:
•6.1-megapixel
•SLR
•Improved five-sensor AF •2" LCD
•AF-S 18-70mm lens
•i-TTL Speedlight

I can afford any, but is the most expensive one worth the add'l cost? I know the lens is better and that makes me think.

Which would you choose and why? When I add add'l lenses later, who will have more expensive ones?

Basically, if you could give me the pro's and cons of each with a final recommendation and what swayed you, I'd really appreciate it. I'm getting ready to buy the camera probably this weekend and I think I've narrowed it to these 3.

Answer 1

The Nikon D70(s) is a tad better than the Canon Rebel XT. It has less mega-pixels, and the Nikon is not as good at outrageous ISO levels (+800), but it's a better all around camera. Both are selling for fantastic prices since the replacement models were announced this summer (Nikon D80 and Canon XTi).
The Nikon D70(s) and the Canon Rebel XT are both better than the Nikon D50. They have more features. Of course, if you don't need the extra features, don't pay for them - the image quality is about equal.
As for the lenses, the Nikon 18-55mm and the Canon 18-55mm are both pretty poor. The Nikon 18-70mm is a much better lens (aprox. $310 sold seperately). I'm not sure if Canon has a similar lens for that price - Canon jumps straight to a $500 17-85mm lens as a kit with the 30D.
If you're on a budget, consider the D50 with the 18-70mm. Due to the superior lens it will deliver better image quality than anything with a Canon/ Nikon 18-55mm.
Both companies have tons of lenses to upgrade to. From $200 to $2000, Canon and Nikon have whatever you need. You also have a wide selection of Sigma/ Tamron/ Tokina lenses to chose from. If you buy budget or mid-range quality lenses, these third party lenses can be a good alternative.
With the Rebel XT, you don't list an external flash. Do you need one? I personally find that the the pop-up flash works just fine for a lot of stuff, and all of the cameras that you list have one. Unless you KNOW you'll need the extra flash, I'd wait with that.
With the Nikons you also list a 512MB memory card. If it's a cheap card, don't even consider that as part of the deal: you want to use a decent memory card with fast write speeds. I'd also want at least a 1GB card. I personally use 2GB SanDisk Extreme lll cards (depending on the camera you select, either get the CF or SD version.)
I'd get the D70 with the 18-70mm, a good 2GB card, and to save a few bucks, no flash.
Second choice, the D50 with the 18-70mm.
Third choice, the D70 with the 18-55
Fourth choice, the Rebel XT with the 18-55.
Last choice, the D50 with the 18-55mm.
But if you put a better lens on the Canon, everything could change. My top priority was image quality, with features as the second deciding factor. I happen to use a Nikon myself, but I don't think I'm being biased here.

Answer 2

I agree with OMG 110%, so vote for his for best answer. I'm just going to add my opinion to amplify and support his answer.

Between my wife and I, we own a D50, D70s and D200. The D50 MAY even have truer colors than the D70s, but that's actually a minor point. The D70s has enough improvements to make it worthwhile. Although... My wife is rather petite and she prefers the slightly smalleer size of the D50.

If you are having trouble choosing between the D70s and the other cameras, the lens would definitely be the tie-breaker for me. While I have a couple of "upscale" lenses, I bought the 18-70 ED lens for my wife's D50. I liked it so much (esp. for the price) that I bought a SECOND one for my D70s, which lives in my office for macro work. I just wanted a good all-purpose lens available for those times when I wanted to do "normal" photography with the D70s.

OMG is right about the card. Okay, don't toss it in the trash, but get at least a 1GB Sandisk or Lexar card. If Sandisk, get at least the Ultra II, if not the Extreme III. If Lexar, get at least an 80X card. You will want as much memory on a card as you can afford and you will want as much write speed as you can get.

He's also right about the flash. The pop-up on the D70s is adequate for many situations. If you're going to do it, though, I have the SB800 and it's a great flash. You might question whether it's worth more money than the SB600, but I say there's no such thing as a flash with too much power.

If money is not a problem, though, have you considered a D80??? :-)

Answer 3

I actually was in your same situation a week ago, in choosing a camera to buy as a gift. I ultimately chose to buy the Rebel XT because the gift recipient liked Canon cameras. But....

It seems to me that the general consensus is that the D50 and the Rebel XT are comparable, except in build, while the D70s is slightly better. However, the price also increases as well. Personally, the D70s was a little too much for me. Between the XT and the D50, I chose the XT because it had higher megapixels. However, I have felt both cameras, and the D50 does feel much better, in terms of build and weight. But in terms of everything else, I think most people will tell you that both cameras are about the same.

By the way, I picked up my new XT with kit lens for $615 online, and it's coming in today!

I agree with the previous post that memory is nothing to be excited about. You might want to pick up a higher capacity memory card, and think about getting an "Ultra II" or better, so you have a better data transfer rate than in the standard cards.

Answer 4

All three are great cameras. I love my D50. I recommend you read a bunch of online reviews. The difference between the D50 and the D70 are the D50 lacks some of the features, but some of the image quality features are actually better. The D50 doesn't have the dof preview and some other minor things, which I didn't need. The D70 has a better kit lens, but you could get the D50 body with the 18:70 lens, that would be nice. Thom Hogan and Ken Rockwell wrote reviews comparing these cameras.

Answer 5

I have a Nikon D50. It is a great camera. I take it with me wherever I go where I want to take pictures. I bought a 1GB memory card for it. The lens is alright. I have other lenses that I also use with my 35mm that I use on this camera. The flash can sometimes be too strong, but that is the only bad thing about the camera.

The D70s is a great camera too. I do not know anyone who has it, but it looks like a D50 with more features.

Answer 6

The Nikon vs. Canon debate has been going on for years. Personally, I don't think there is that much difference between the two. Maybe up in the high end pro models there is but, that's a different story. I choose Canon just because it was my first choice 25 years ago and I'm kinda' brand loyal if it serves me well. I wouldn't let that "free 512MB memory card" sway your judgement though. Those are pretty generic and not very expensive.

Answer 7

For Landscapes and Portraits I would choose the nikon D70s

For Sports or shooting anything with motion I would choose the Canon Rebel (You should also consider a 20D if you can find one)

Remember that it all comes down to the lens and as soon as you own a DSLR you will want a Wide Angle, Mid range, and Long Telephoto inside of a year.

Check eBay for packages with multiple lenses and you will be surprised at what you see.

Answer 8

I'd go for the Canon. Canon is the dominant player in all segments of the digital camera market. Canon has product depth - more models, more features, more choice. Canon makes all their own components. Because there are more Canons in the market, the aftermarket for Canon is larger - more thrid parties making stuff for Canons - lenses, flashes, remotes, filters, etc.

Nikon has been acknowledged as having had better glass in the film days. In today's digital world, processors and sensors may be more important than glass.

Answer 9

You want to know the sensor size too although they are probably all the same. This is what affects the clarity of the image not so much the megapixels. Loads of info in the link below.

I'd say the Nikon D50 was pretty good from these details though.