Quick answer Nikon D80 or Canon Rebel XTi?

Question

I want a quick answer because I can't decide myself. Also give a quick reason for your answer.

Take a look at this review. At the bottom it shows sample shots of the Rebel XTi and the D80. The D80 looks like crap compared to the Rebel XTi. What do you think of this?

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/XTI/XTIA.HTM

Answer 1

This is not very quick, butthe short version is that my bias is towards Nikon with these two cameras. MOSTLY, it is because I just like the way it feels in my hands and you will need to make the same determination for yourself. If you are not comfortable with the layout of the camera, then it will get in the way of making good photographs. SECONDLY, the Canon does not give you a proper spot meter and I doubt I could even function without a spot meter as I learned to shoot on slide film with a spot meter and there's no going back!

One of my boilerplate answers......

Comparing the Nikon D80 vs. Canon 400D/Rebel XTi

Check this page:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond80/page21.asp

The first thing I notice is that the Canon does not have a spot meter. I thought they added that in the XTi, but I guess past criticism was not heard at Canon.

The Nikon user-definable Auto-ISO is an interesting feature that lets you define a couple of parameters about what's acceptable to you and what's not. I don't think this would be the tie-breaker, though, if you can't decide between cameras.

The D80 has a pentaprism and the Canon uses mirrors. "They" say that mirrors are getting pretty good, but I would expect the pentaprism to be a brighter viewfinder.

The Nikon lets you do actual multiple exposures in the camera and some people think this is pretty cool.

Click "next" and move to page 22 and you'll see some image comparisons. Click "next" a couple more times to see more direct comparisons on page 25. Click "next" a couple more times to see some noise level comparisons on page 27. It looks to me like the D80 has actually tamed the noise better than the XTi, but read the comments about image softness.

Click one more time and see that the D80 is clearly the winner in image sharpness.

Go on to the next page and read the conclusions.

You can go to the side-by-side at

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_eos400d%2Cnikon_d80&show=all and also click on "Our in depth review" and "Read owner opinions" for each camera.

The last line in the Nikon D80 review reads, "If you're a more discerning photographer who can see the advantages offered by the 'all round' D80 you may well consider the extra money well spent."

The last line in the Canon 400D/XTi review reads, "Thanks to its blood line and low price the EOS 400D will no doubt be a huge success for Canon. However unlike the EOS 350D, for me it's no longer the first or obvious choice, so before jumping on the bandwagon make sure you've weighed up the competition."

In other words, you've selected with the two best cameras in their price class.

Canon is probably saving a little money using their CMOS sensor and this will bring them some market share. Whether the sensor and images are better or not is open to wild debate based on personal preferences. Whether one camera feels better in your hands might just be the determining factor. You have got to go to a real camera store and handle them both. I guess Costco, Circuit City or Best Buy would also have actual samples on display, but you may not get as much help from the staff.

As far as lens choice, I'd rather see you start with one decent lens instead of the kit lens, although Nikon's kit lens (18-55) has actually tested pretty well. Canon's new 18-55 Series II lens is okay, also. For Nikon, I like the Nikkor AF-S 18-70 f/3.5-4.5G ED DX. This costs about $300. I bought this for my wife on her D50 and liked it so much (for the money) that I bought it as a backup for one of my cameras. For Canon, one of our best answerers (Panacea) recommends the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM. This costs about $500, so there goes the $200 price difference.

Of course, you'll need a decent memory card and I recommend a genuine Sandisk Ultra II (60X) or Extreme III (133X) of at least 1GB - preferable 2 GB - for either camera. Lexar is another excellent card supplier and they have the "Professional" 133X as well as the Platinum 80X to choose from. Both Lexar and Sandisk come with image recovery software and limited lifetime warranties.

Nikon D80 vs. Canon Rebel XTi (400D) vs. Sony Alpha A100

http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content/Canon-Rebel-XTi-vs-Nikon-D80-vs-Sony-Alpha-A100-Head-to-Head-to-Head-Digital-Camera-Review-.htm [Note the navigation menu near the top of the review]

See also: http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3569/10mp-dslr-shootout.html where the D80 won or tied in 3 of the 4 areas tested.

I won't argue with Koko, though. The Canon is a great camera. YOU must see if you like the Canon better and the thing that matters most is how it feels to you.
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Additional:

You mention sample images, but there is no link.

See: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos400d/page22.asp and read, "you would struggle to be able to see a difference between these two images, even in a large print."

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos400d/page25.asp
"Having removed the camera's image processing from the equation is very revealing, there really is no difference in the underlying images, both ten megapixel sensors (CCD in the D80 and CMOS in the EOS 400D) capturing the same levels of detail."

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos400d/page27.asp
"Canon's superior image processing and perhaps milder noise reduction maintains more detail at ISO 800 (although not by a large margin), at ISO 1600 things are more balanced with certainly more noticeable chroma noise than from the Nikon D80."

Answer 2

The reason I got my XTi is because its under $1000 with a lens kit, you can do a lot with it no matter how bad ppl say it is. 2. I am a Canon user 3. Its small and lightwieght (you may not like the plastic feel.)

I would recommond using the lens kit IF you do not have the money to get a good lens. It is a decent lens no matter what people say. Its just not meant for very fine tuning shots.

First off I love my camera, it takes amazing pictures. You just need to learn how to use it properly. Take the time to read books (Ive spent 20 hours + just reading books and magazines on photography.) Read your manuel front and back. It is really simple camera to use once you get started. If you have owned a any previous Canon camera like a SD600 etc the menu system is basically the same, it just has more controls inside the menus and has more physically buttons to change. I would highly recommond this camera with a lens kit to learn the basics of your camera.

Edit: Gezz Dr. long explanition. Well like most people say, 80% of choicing an SLR is based on personal opinion. You have to try it out yourslef at a store and decide. Both are excellent, just decide on personal preference

Edit: Wow brain you are a jerk. You are a total Nikon Fanboy. I dont see why your having a pissy fit about something that happened what 20 years ago? Build a bridge and get over it. Sorry that Canon has faster autofocus, more IS lenses, and a bigger share in the market than Nikon. You seem to be the only one ranting about how Canon changed their mounts. The pros sure dont seem to care. If you cant come up with anything better than "O they changed their mounts so they suck!" then you are really full of yourself. Back up your claims and stop whinning about the mount change.

Answer 3

Canon Rebel XTi.

Price, options, quality=way better than Nikon. But I am a die-hard Canon fan, so of course I would say Canon.

For what you get...and all the options you have, the canon is a better deal. You can pick up the body at www.beachcamera.com for right around $653. (which is a very reputible site...check out reviews) Then you just have to buy the lenses, but you can get them pretty cheap on eBay. The canon is a more professional quality camera...that most professional photographers carry as a back up camera to thier canon mark5D. It is capable of producing awesome poster sized photos and unbelievably detailed 4 x 6 prints. Nikon was made to be more user friendly, but if you have half a brain, then you can figure out the canon. And yes, the canon has a plastic body, but it fits great in my hand unlike the Nikon wich felt big and bulky. If you are running around taking photos...why would you want a 20 pound camera! But before you purchase, go to your local best buy or circuit city or other camera shop and test them out...hold them in your hand and compare.

Answer 4

Nikon D80

Answer 5

I would go for the Nikon D80. I personally don't trust Canon. They screw their Photographers once, by changing their lens mount they might do it again? Nikon didn't.
Nikon D 80 also have a double exposure capability when you need it.Canon doesn't.
Quality of a Nikon is lot better than a Canon.

What's wrong kato are you afraid that people will learn that Nikon is more loyal to their photographer's than Canon?

Answer 6

If you have no previous experience with digital SLR's go with the Nikon since it is much easier to use and learn. If you are somewhat experienced in Canon digital SLR's or canon cameras in general you are better off with the canon it has better features but is a little harder to get used to using.

Answer 7

I prefer Nikon cameras to Canon. Canon cameras are also excellent but Nikon cameras seem to be better.