Which camera is best for a beginner in photography? The Canon Rebel XTi or Nikon D80?

Answer 1

The nikon D80 is a far better camera for the money than the XTi. This, of course, is my opinion. I own a D80 myself and I believe it to be better, from my experience, than the XTi and the reviews prove it.

Answer 2

I would also vote for the D80, but either one would be fine for a beginner. The Nikon may be a bit more robust, and it is backwards compatible with all ai Nikon lenses. Of course, as a beginner, you likely don't have a stable of older Nikon glass waiting to be used. Also the Nikon kit lenses (all of them) are better than the Canon kit lens.

Higher end Canons have somewhat better high ISO performance, but I find my D80 satisfactory even at 1600, and quite fine at 800.

In short, either one will be fine. I prefer the Nikon, and I notice the Nikon people have weighed in, but the Canon people may speak up as well.

Whichever you get, you will need to read and study the manual. Also get a couple of books in beginning photography. Don't forget a big memory card (10 mp images eat card space fast!) and if possible, budget for an external flash. Have fun!

Answer 3

I have done some comparison of these two cameras although I'm not in a position to buy one right now. Overall I would choose the Nikon for superior quality in the body. The body is light and also extremely tough/durable. I also feel Nikon lenses, generally speaking, have better optics response (light gathering, clarity). I have a friend who has a D80, and it is nothing short of amazing. As to being a beginner, I think you will learn quickly if you're serious, and I think you will find the D80 (which has plenty of automatic functions) to your liking. Good luck!

Answer 4

Assuming that you plan on progressing, just buy a camera and use "AUTO" until you learn more.

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! (In a follow-up to this seeming error, Pop Photo published the explanation that only the D80 and the Sony had been tested by the end-of-year deadline for choosing the Camera of the Year. Sony won on the strength of low price and built-in image stabilization. The other 3 that beat Sony in shoot-out were not tested until after the Camera of the Year was selected, because they were not yet available.)

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.

This article is available online at:

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3569/10mp-dslr-shootout.html

Here's another reference from outside the photographic press. Consumer reports compared the Nikon D80, Canon Rebel XTi and Sony Alpha. Personally, I'd say that the Nikon came out on top here, also. It beats the Sony in "noise-free ISO" with an acceptable rating at ISO 1600 (kind of optimistic, I think...) compared to the Sony's ISO 400. It beats the Canon (in my opinion) by having a spot meter that the Canon does not offer.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/news-electronics-computers/november-2006/shootout-10-megapixel-digital-slr-cameras-11-06/overview/0611_digital-slr-shoot-out.htm

Here's another comparison of interest:

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]

The next thing to consider is what lens to start with and where you go from there. If you are new to this, I'd say to just get the "kit" lens, which seems to be the 18-135 lens for the D80, and get started. Once you know where you really want to go with your photography, Nikon has an almost unlimited family of lenses to choose from.

Answer 5

Neither the Canon Rebel(s) nor the Nikon D series DSLRs address the issue of image stabilization/vibration reduction and when they provide specialty lenses with stabilization built into the lense, they are very expensive. A far better solution is to invest in an image stabilization camera with it built into the camera body such as the Pentax KD series of DSLRs. The Pentax KD lenses are very affordable and are award winning. Begin with the Pentax K100D with an 18-55 normal lense for $465 at samys.com.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Ok these are two great cameras. I own the XTi (400D) and recomend it.

BUT!!!!!

I am not you, and only you can say what is right for you. That being said, get off the computer and go to a camera store and hold both of them side by side. Get a feel for the menus. Get a feel for the controls with your face up to the eyepiece. Only you can tell which is better for you. They are both great beginner cameras. And dont let the salesman hassle you too much. If they say one is far superior than the other they probably get a commision for selling that one.

Answer 7

I would prefer Nikons. I have a Nikon D70 and I've used Canons before but for some reason I don't like Canons, I feel more comfortable with Nikons, they're trustworthy.

Answer 8

As a died in the wool Nikon used I would have to say with all honesty, either.

Both cameras have their good point and their negative points. Figure out what you want to do as a photographer, then get the camera that best fits that.

Answer 9

I may be partisan, but I am in favor of the Nikon. I own a D40 and I'm extremely happy with the results I get as a photo journalist with it.

Answer 10

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