Digital SLR cameras. Do you prefer Canon, Nikon or Pentax?

Question

Please explain your choice of brand....

Answer 1

The February 2007 issue of Popular Photography has an article where they compared the top 10 MP DSLR's.

I took the scores and ranked the cameras similar to the way Formula 1 gives championship points. I just gave 5 for 1st place down to 1 for last place, splitting the difference when cameras tied in their catagories.

They evaluated Image Quality (giving this twice as much weight as anything else), Ease of Use, Control, and System Flexibility.

The final order and my scores are:

Nikon D80 - 17.5 points
- BEST in Image Quality, Control and System Flexibility
Canon Rebel XTi (400D) - 13.5 points
- Tied for best in System Flexibility
Pentax K10D - 11 points
- Tied for best in Ease of Use
Samsung GX10 - 11 points
- Tied for best in Ease of Use
Sony Alpha 100 - 7 points
- LAST in Image Quality, Ease of Use and System Flexibility."

Then again, this is the same magazine that put the Sony Alpha 100 dead last in this comparison named it the camera of the year in the previous issue!

Go to the original question and read the responses for more opinions.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AiG00eHyd0oq5b.X7J.jiULzy6IX?qid=20070113133139AAHWJY0

If you want to get the "best" for the real world, consider the Nikon D200 or Canon 30D if you can afford it. For about $300-500 less, look at the results of the recent PopPhoto test and choose from that list according to your taste.

Personally, I use a Nikon D200 and would recommend it without hesitation to someone who has some knowledge of photography. For someone who wants the "best," but is starting with somewhat of an "entry level" knowledge base, I'd suggest the Nikon D80.

There are people out there who will state their preference for the Canon cameras and I will not argue with them. The Canon 30D and 400D are excellent cameras as well.

You would have to visit a camera store or camera department and pick them up and see what you think.

Answer 2

Nikon for me, as I have many Nikon film years in the background, with the flashes, lenses, etc etc.
Alan has posted a nice comparison.

If you're on the fence, I would go to a camera shop and handle different camera and lens combinations and see which felt better in my hands, and which viewfinder I could see through better. That would be my choice, because either Nikon or Canon make fine product. (Pentax was the bees knees in starter film SLR, but the lenses and accessories are more limited in comparison to Nikon or Canon.)

Answer 3

I personally use the Canon Rebel XT and XTi; I am very happy with both products. I am actually happier with the XTi; it is closer to the true colors of what I am photographing. But, I have to say that I have friends that use the Nikon and are equally as happy as I am. Honestly, I think it's personal preference...........so, go to a camera store and try out all three brands. Go with the one that you feel most comfortable with, that fits your budget. Also, if you have either the Canon or Nikon, if you have lenses for these, most of the time they will work on the digital SLR's. Good luck with whichever one you choose.

Answer 4

Brother? Whatt are you talking about? I perfer Canon because their interface seems more easier to control but if your used to Nikon's interface then the Nikon is for you. And Pentax is an alternative if you do not have the money to go with Canon or Nikon. Theres nothing special about Pentax. Stick with Canon or Nikon.

Answer 5

Hi,

I purchased Nikon's D80 (with AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm lens) recently - less than a month ago in fact, and it is a great buy for me. I wont say which is the best DSLR for you because I believe there are great models from each brand, and your preference may be subjected to budget, and other personal preferences.

Things to look out for when getting a DSLR :

1) most of those who have DSLR invest more on the lenses than the body, meaning that they go for those brands that support a larger variety of lenses, because there are newer versions of the camera bodies every 2-3 years or so.

2) personal preferences of the look and feel of the camera are important, so it's best if you have a chance to hold each of your potential choices in your hand, see whether the grip, weight and feel is suitable for you, and whether the layout of the camera buttons, dials, etc is ergonomically done.

3) budget. you can say the sky is the limit. so you need to see whether you want to spend more on a good body and lenses, or a slightly cheaper body and lenses and spend more on the accessories like speedlights, battery packs, additional lenses, filters, etc.

Anyway, I have placed 2 detailed articles below for your references. One is a head to head review for Canon's Rebel XTi, Nikon's D80 and Sony's Alpha A100. The other is another review comparing Nikon's D200 with Canon's EOS 5D.

Based on most reviews, I would say Nikon's D80 tops the list most of the time in most areas, and Canon's Rebel XTi is very close behind. Sony's Alpha A100 falls short in many areas, but it's attraction lies in its Super Steady technology built into the body which provides stabilization with any lenses, unlike the rest which built stabilization-control within the lenses (which also makes them more costly), and it's also much cheaper compared to the other two models.

Lastly, I find my current D80 ideal in everyway except for one - it doesnt come with any anti-dust technology and as such, once there is dust on the image sensor and if I cant get it out with a blower, I will have to send it to the service centre since such dust particles are quite apparent on small aperture settings (high f/stop values).

Hope you can find your ideal DSLR soon :)

Answer 6

I shoot Pentax K10D (I came from Nikon film camera).

here are some reasons why
Only brand that is fully compatible with every single lens they ever produced (24 million of them)
Only brand that counters rotational movement in shake reduction
Doesn't produce cameras they can't support yet (See nikon D40)
Lenses that rival Leica (see link)
Only sensor that is coated with a anti-static coating to not have dust stick to it in the first place.
Better weather sealed than any other camera (except older Olympus E1)

Answer 7

nikon because they make good cameras canon is also good their eos rebels are nice and pentex in the worst it sounds like a tampon company and their cameras are crap

Answer 8

Just to back up every single word of Alan M's answer. Couldn't have said it better myself.

Answer 9

i wouldnt choose any of them .i would choose brother it is the best and if u print it out it will be very clear