Which one is the best, DSLR Nikon or Canon ?

Question

Since I am new in photography, I want to start from DSLR camera, easier for me, but I confuse with these 2 brands Nikon and Canon, every people advice differently, my budget is USD 1500, and my interest is taking a Photo Model/Women. Any camera type/model recommend ?

Answer 1

It doesn't make much difference. You can get a fantastic setup with that budget from either brand.

Suggested Nikon gear:

Nikon D70s ('only' 6 mega-pixels, but plenty for 8x10 inch prints)
Nikon 18-70mm zoom (good quality and zoom range)
Nikon 85mm f/1.8 (fantastic portrait lens)
SanDisk 2 GB Extreme lll memory card (fast and plenty)
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$817 for the D70s + 18-70 at BeachCamera
$400 for the 85mm at B&H
$95 for the memory card
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$1312 total + tax and shipping.
If you can live without a dedicated portrait lens, you can upgrade to a 10 mega-pixel D80, or you can add a flash gun, or a second zoom lens to increase your reach for general photography, etc.

Suggested Canon setup:

Canon Rebel XT (a.k.a. 350D) with 17-85mm zoom ($1100 at B&H)
Canon 85mm f/1.8 lens ($340)
SanDisk 2 GB Extreme lll memory card
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$1535 total + tax and shipping.
With Canon you can obviously save a bundle as well, by dropping the 85mm lens.
Canon also has a new camera out: the Rebel XTi (a.k.a. 400D), but the only way you can afford that is by trading the 17-85mm zoom for something cheaper. I vehemently recommend AGAINST that. You would only gain 2 mega-pixels, which makes practically no difference for the print size, but the image quality would actually deteriorate beacuse of the cheaper lens.

With either system, the 85mm lens is a one trick pony. It will give you superb image quality and shallow depth of field for taking portraits - much better than the zoom lenses, but it's of little use for anything else.

You could also look for part of the gear second hand. You're bound to find the 85mm lenses used, for example.

Answer 2

Hey, you have been given some good advice already. But, don't buy the D70 or D70s as they have been replaced by a much better camera - the D80. It has 10 MP and has a lot of options the more expensive D200 has at a lower cost. I have the D70s and a D80 and much prefer the D80.

As far as which line to buy - you really can't go wrong with either Nikon or Canon. The Canon Digital Rebel is a good little camera but does not offer the capabilities of the D80.

If you buy the D80 kit it will run you considerably less than the $1500 limit you have set for yourself. That will still leave you the extra money to buy the SB-800 flash unit.

Norm

Answer 3

Don't listen to recommendations on here. You need to go to the store, hold these cameras, play in the menus and find out what works best for you and what feels the best in your hands. Canon and Nikon make great cameras, I own a D200 myself. They both have a vast selection of lenses. It really boils down to whatever feels the most comfortable, why shoot with something you hate? Both Canon and Nikon models are so close in specs either one is a good choice, your really buying into the lenses and accessories rather than the body. Bodies are cheap and will be replaced in short time. Lenses are expensive and a investment Hope this helps!

Answer 4

*shakes head no* This is .. no.. they are 99% equal! Yes there are difference in concurrent models but that is about it. One might have 2 more focal points.. other might have better focussing during video. That is about it.. image quality darn equal! Lenses, well yes equal to! What matters is that you buy a camera that fits you. Go to a store, hold the camera, read reviews.. and if you are still not sure RENT the camera with of course a lens. And try it out for a few days. Also don't disregard other brands. TRUE The Pro equipment pretty much all is canon/nikon based. But are you are pro? if you are just going to buy a camera and maybe upgrade to a nice midrange.. and above that is to costly. Then guess what the other brands have allot to offer to. Sony has nice CZ glass to offer. Pentax and Olympus with their system cameras offer great performance in a small package. And you know .. I like that. See smaller bodies and fourth third does adds some limitations. But the smaller size and weight also means you are much more probable to have the camera with you! A camera you don't have with you is as good as having no camera at all! So go to a store and let your feelings guide you here. There is no bad DSLR out there.. system cameras most are pretty darn good. So give it a spin.. And I mean it about the system cameras, yes they are relative young.. but here is the deal. Their size definitely attracts photographers that still want to retain control and high image image quality. Without packing a whole backpack of body and lenses.

Answer 5

I am an artistic nude photographer. I use a Canon EOS Rebel 350XT. You can get the back (no lens) for under $700. The chip allows you to use ISO1600 in low light so flash units become unnessary. I shoot in candlelight and shop lights.

Then get the 28-135mm Image Stabilized Canon Lens for about $400. This is a wonderful all around lens and the image stabilization will give you quite a bit better shots than you would get any way else.

You may then have enough left over to buy a 50 mm f/1.4 USM Canon lens for those low light situations. It is a beautiful portrait lens. I got mine for about $400.

Nikon is great too, but I just am telling you what I have. I will be happy to show you more of my site if you write me directly and ask for passwords (I will not post them here)

Answer 6

I'll back up IMG's choice, except to encourage you to expand you budget enough to get the D80 instead of the D70. You're new to this, I know, but if you get into it head over heals, you'll wish you spent a couple hundred more for the "hot ticket" with more pixels.

As far as Canon vs. Nikon, they are both good. You don't have the experience to choose based on your own preference, so you should ask the person behind the counter in your local camera shop (a real camera shop) to give you some guidance. This is the person who is going to be your new best friend and help you learn how to use this stuff.

Answer 7

First, I agree with all those who have said you can't go wrong with either brand. Nikon and Cannon are the two heavy hitters in the DSLR area, although there are others, and they compete fiercely. Any given price, they tend to trade the lead back and forth, with head-to-head comparisons generally favoring whichever model is the most recent. It may be more important for you to choose the right model than the "better" brand, since if you spend a good bit of money but don't get the features you need, you will be disappointed, and of course, you don't want to overspend on features you will never use. The range of both price and features from the bottom of each line to the top is very large.

The Nikon and Cannon Web sites will help you get an idea of how each model compares to the others. To narrow the field, think about what you intend to do with the camera. What kind of photography is important to you- sports? Wildlife? Kids? Travel? Underwater? Your stamp collection? How you will use the camera will help you prioritze all the features you will encounter.

Once you have narrowed the field down to a couple of each brand, Google them to find reviews. Try www.dpreview.com, for example.

Once you have narrowed things further, searching on-line for a good price is easy, but I also agree with the advice to go to a good camera store and handle each camera you are considering, with a lens of the type you might actually use. The differences in build quality are bigger in the less expensive models. Consider size, weight, feel, and how comfortable you are with the controls. If you wear glasses, be critical of the viewfinder- what adjustments does it have? Try it out. And if you are lucky enough to have a really good camera store nearby, consider whether it makes sense for you to actually buy the camera there. If you might want the help and support, it may be worth paying somewhat more. At least check it out.

Also, given you are looking at an SLR, think about lenses. Unlike point and shoot cameras, you actually have a choice. That is the biggest benefit of an SLR. Again, consider what you want to do with the camera. Lenses get their own reviews, and it is worth checking them out as well. You will not be happy with the camera if you don't use a good lens on it. In spite of all the advances in digital imaging, making a really good lens still costs money, for better design, materials, and quality control. Don't automatically go for whatever comes with the camera if it is not what you really need.

And don't be too swayed by megapixel count. I just read a really detailed evaluation of several Nikon and Cannon cameras at 8, 10, and 12 megapixels, and after much scrutiny, the conclusion was that once you are at 10 MP, two million pixels either way had only a subtle impact on image quality. It would make a bigger difference in many cases to just put the camera on a tripod.

Both Nikon and Cannon have extensive systems, meaning lenses, flash, remote controllers, and many other accessories. Both brands are extensively used by pros, and as a result, have more depth than you are likely to need. Once you make your choice, just enjoy your camera, get on with taking pictures and don't sweat it.

Answer 8

Nikon has the best quality lenses but from personal experience Canon is easier to work with, less confusing.

Answer 9

I like your choices, however, here is a better camera then D70/D80 nikons and Rebel XTi Canons.

ANd it holds its ground against the D200 (which is almost twice the price!)

Pentax K10D

Eric

Answer 10

My choice:
Canon Rebel XTi (40D) body only + Canon EF 17-85 mm IS USM lens (a so called standard zoom lens). So ..NOT the standard lens from the kit !!! IS stand for Image Stabilizer + 5x optical zoom.

for that lens:
http://canon.ca/english/index-products.asp?lng=en&prodid=961&sgid=7&gid=2&ovr=1

you can see some test shots using ISO 1600 = indoor no flash ! at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/dand370/CanonXTiDSLR

(files shrinked to 800x600)