Does anyone own either of these two cameras? If so what do you like or dislike about your camera.?

Question

Does anyone own either of these two cameras? If so what do you like or dislike about your camera. I’m considering buying one of them.
EOS Digital Rebel XT Consumer reports gave it a 76 rating.
Nikon D50 Consumer reports gave it a 69 rating.
I’m a nub just reading books on digital photography and want to start with an inexpensive and easy to use camera.

Answer 1

Canon's entry-level dSLR's have a reputation for being easier to step up to from the point and shoot world than Nikon's. Once you've made the leap, though, the Canon still treats you like a P&S photographer. They don't even give you a spot meter, for instance.

If you don't like the colors created in the D50, you can use the Optimize Image>Custom menu and set it up to enhance or reduce overall saturation, alter contrast, or adjust each RGB hue plus or minus in small increments.

If you want "inespensive and easy to use," check out a Nikon D40, which may have default settings more to your liking anyhow, since the processor is newer. The kit is $600 with a decent lens. The comparable Canon Rebel XT kit is $570, though. You'll have to just pick up each camera and see how they feel to you. I know you are new at this, but you still might just like one better than the other. Either one would be a good starting camera.

The Consumer Reports does not include a D40 in their test, so go check out the following reviews:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40/d40-recommendations.htm

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40/ (Be sure to note that this is 26 pages long.)

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/nikon_d40.html (Be sure to note that this is several pages long.)

While you are at the review sites, you can go to their home page and find reviews for the D50 and Rebel XT, if you wish.

Answer 2

I have the Nikon D50.

Pro:
-- Can be found for 200-300 dollars less than a Canon XTi and image quality is about the same. It really is about the glass, not the camera body. There are hundreds of lenses out there that the D50 body can utilize.
-- Uses SD cards, which are both fast and inexpensive.
-- Spot metering. Just another tool that you'd have ot spend another couple hundred dollars to get on a Canon body.
-- All the features most people will want, but pro level quality
-- great low light/high ISO images. Noise is low as well as low grain in high ISO shots. ISO 1600 images are very usable and if the grain still bothers you, it can be further reduced with software(noise ninja, etc.)

Con:
-- Slower consecutive FPS than higher end cameras. D50 does 2.5fps, while others are around 5fps
-- No depth of field preview - for me, it doesn't matter, I never use it. I check the shot after...and after you get used to the camera, you'll know if you have the right DOF even befoer you take the shot.

I've had my D50 for a while and I just find the body fits my hand better than the Canon models. The layout of the buttons on the Nikon body seem more intuitive for me. The fact that the D50 can use all the AF-D/AF-G and AF-S lenses is excellent. Nikon has world class lenses and a great lighting and macro setup.

Bottom line - either camera will serve you well...go to the stores and play with the cameras and see which one makes sense for you. As long as you stay with either Nikon or Canon, you'll have a good system to work and grow with.

Answer 3

I've had a Nikon D50 for about a year and a half and am close to 8,000 shutter snaps. So far it has been a great camera.

Likes:
Spot Meter - The D50 has a spot meter and that comes in handy in the difficult lighting situations where you need a meter the most. I was shooting at an old industrial site today and the spot meter was essential in getting good results.

Feel: This is very subjective but I like the way the D50 feels in my hand.

Media: I like that it uses SD cards so I can use the same media as my point-and-shoot cameras. I have some decent point-and-shoots that I use when I don't want to carry the DSLR and it is nice to be able to use the same cards (I think the Canon uses CF cards)

Answer 4

I have had my camera for a while, before the Canon XT, I actually just have the Digital Rebel, and it is wonderful!
I am able to do so much with it and the photos turn out amazingly.
I can only imagine that the XT would be even better, I just haven't seen a need to upgrade from what I have since it does everything I need and more.
I got it when I was just learning and it has carried me through. Eventually, I may upgrade to the XTi or whatever is out at the time, but for now I just love my Rebel!
I think you will enjoy it.

Answer 5

I LOVE the Rebel. I was just shooting with it today and I fell in love with it again. It's small, easy to use, but has so many features that are for more advanced camera shooters. It's a camera that you can learn on and over the years (or however long you have it) you will learn a great deal about photography. I know I have. I have also heard the same thing from the photo lab I work at...Nikon's pictures are sometimes harder to color correct. I love canon, born and raised on them.

Answer 6

I've owned the Digital Rebel XT for two years now. It’s a great camera.

Pros: Sharp images, 8 megapixel, sturdy handgrip (better than the XTi's), and a main advantage is having the expandability of Canon's lens lineup. I have two of their lenses. Uhh..the controls are all easy to master, the viewfinder is good, nice and bright, yah, it's pretty much a great camera

Cons: I feel it is a little small for a professional camera, but I don't hold that against it - it's not all that small. Other than that, I love it

If you want to see some picture's I've taken with it, go to my website here:

http://ajsellarole.pink-pistol.net/Nature/Nature.html

Thanks good luck

Answer 7

You can try resetting it by removing the battery and lens then wait at least 12 hours. It'd be best to bring it in to a shop to be looked over.

Answer 8

Get the Rebel.

Answer 9

I really like my camera which is a rebel.

Answer 10

I have experience with the rebel. My co-workers have experience with the nikon...our lab says canon's color is much easier to color correct & they have fewer issues in general with canon shooters than with nikon shooters.