Canon vs Nikon vs Sony vs ...

[jann1033]

I am looking for some input from the pros so I thought no better place to ask here!

I currently have the original Digital Rebel. The camera has been great and has lasted for years. However, I think it is time to upgrade the camera. We have taken literally tens of thousands of pictures with this camera and it works well. The only grip about it is we have a hard time taking any pictures in the dark at stage shows, etc. We just can’t accomplish them. Also have a hard time with fuzzy pictures when shooting fast items like fireworks, etc.



I appreciate any feedback that you may be able to offer.

i am wondering if you are using a tripod? if not you are going to have fuzzy shots for something like fireworks (or dark stage shows is you don't have a low light lens). i know mine look like brightly colors snakes without a tripod ...you can get a 50mmf1.8 canon lens for under $100( mine was $80 a few yrs ago) might be worth that to see how it helps...
the canon xsi is reviewed as great image quality but if it's you technique or lenses you probably will still be disappointed...

canon usa under support has some great tutuorials including lens info, using your camera etc. maybe check that out http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=HomePageAct

 

[DizzyV6P]

whoo whee, nice photo! you might have just sold me on the tamron lens as well ot but did you need to search for a good copy of the lens?( just wanting to know how safe it would be to buy online)

Thanks for the compliment.

I've read about that "good copy, bad copy" issue as well. I think I got a good copy. It seemed to get its job done well. My only beef with it was that it wasn't wide enough for my taste, so I picked up the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 which seems to work just as well as the 28-75 f/2.8

 

[dizneyrulz]

Wow, thanks for all the replies. It seems that all you guys do suggest looking at a new lens for the Digital Rebel that I have.

I will definitely look into that. Are there any suggestions on a lens (under 400 or 500 dollars) that would be a good one to take pictures in darker settings?

We have had this camera long time and have never sat down to figure out everything it can do. We usually always use the general auto focus setting or the portrait setting. It never gets set to anything else.

Anyone in the Eastern NE / Western IA region that would be interested in making some money showing us the ropes on this camera? We once took a class through the local camera shop. It turned out to be a big joke. Things like copying pictures from the memory card, and the complete basic functions. It never went into detail at all.

I know the consensus was to buy a lens itself, but I am still considering a camera as well. I have a feeling we have taken between 30K and 40K pictures with the camera so it has been well used. It still takes great pictures but I am afraid it will crap out in another year or two.

I am going to do some research on the dpreview.com site to see what they recommend. I have a feeling though that I will end up with another Canon since that is what we are used to. But hey, you never know. Maybe I can talk the wife into changing to something else.

To give you an idea of how many pictures we take... The second trip to the World we went in 1999 I think. We had the old Canon Rebel 35MM camera. We took 17 rolls of film for a 6 day vacation! With the digital camera, we seem to take pictures of everything.

Below is a picture I took at SeaWorld with our current Digital Rebel. I have no idea how the water and dolphin turned out so great. The only editing to the picture was to erase the "scratch" marks in the glass and then the girls were standing on an air conditioning grate so I decided to take that out as well.

Again, I really appreciate everyone’s feedback. This board is amazing for when people like me need questions answered. You guys take the time out of your schedule to reply. I appreciate that...

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Awesome picture.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Just when I think I've made my decision I start to re-evaluate.

Please share your opinions. Budget is a major consideration which is why I am not really looking to step up to the next model levels. Would rather spend the money on better lenses.

Canon XS
Nikon D3000
Sony A330

Main uses will be for WDW & sons ice hockey games (yes, the dreaded sports photography).

I like the live view feature but it's not necessarily a deal breaker (today anyway ).

I am a total DSLR newbie so I am looking for something that I can grow with but will not be so totally over my head in the beginning that I get frustrated.

I've been all over dpreview, Steve's digicams & cnet but it's becoming a blur.

Help!

 

[Groucho]

Don't forget the Pentax K-x, which is the most full-featured in its class and has the best high-ISO performance and the highest frames-per-second rate (A330: 2.5, XS/D3000: 3.0, K-x: 4.7) Amazon has been having some really good deals on it lately.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Thanks Groucho.

I think I'm having a hard time deciphering what is most important for what I want to capture.

ISO 1600 vs. 3200 (Canon model in question only goes to 1600)
FPS
Built in image stabilization vs. IS lenses

I am starting to think that the only way I can determine what I can live with/without is to actually use them? I keep going back to the different galleries on here but I am thinking that knowing how to use your instruments tools well (artistry) is equally important (if not moreso) to what tools it possesses.

Any thoughts?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Canon vs. Nikon vs. Sony

Are you trying to start a war here?

You know, all of the entry level dSLRs are going to do a good job for you. It's just going to be a matter of finding one that has the features you most want to have. There's only one way to figure that out and that's taking a hard look at what features you want and then studying the cameras to see which one(s) best meet your criteria.

We all picked ours because we felt it was the best for us. Naturally, we're going to be slightly biased toward our own. Most of us probably also don't know a heck of a lot about the other brands, specifically. So just take all that with a grain of salt. It sounds like you're on the right track by doing some research (which again, are people's opinions). Once you're narrowed it down, don't forget to go into the stores to actually try out the cameras in your hands to see how they feel to you.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I am a total DSLR newbie so I am looking for something that I can grow with but will not be so totally over my head in the beginning that I get frustrated.

That pretty much seems to be the norm for a while, no matter what you buy.

 

[Bstanley]

I purchased a DSLR 6 weeks ago and my advice is - You absolutely must get your hands on all the cameras that you are considering.

I was lucky that there was a retail shop nearby that let me wander about their store taking pictures with the actual models I was considering. It made it easier to pick one.

Obviously if there is a particular feature that you really want - check that it is available.

Oh - if you want to try out all kinds of cameras at WDW, just wear a mult-pocket vest, cargo shorts and have a SLR strung around your neck - I had 5-6 people a day hand me their camera and ask me to take their pictures

 

[ukcatfan]

Thanks Groucho.

I think I'm having a hard time deciphering what is most important for what I want to capture.

ISO 1600 vs. 3200 (Canon model in question only goes to 1600)
FPS
Built in image stabilization vs. IS lenses

I am starting to think that the only way I can determine what I can live with/without is to actually use them? I keep going back to the different galleries on here but I am thinking that knowing how to use your instruments tools well (artistry) is equally important (if not moreso) to what tools it possesses.

Any thoughts?

Well, the K-x has ISO 12800. I have yet to need to push it that far, but I have used it at 6400 and the pictures look as good as my old K100D did at 1600! (and it was known for above average noise for its generation) The K-x is an amazing little camera. I have very few complaints about it. Plus it comes in black, white, red, or navy. Let me know if you have any specific questions on it. Here is a shot at 6400:

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Oh - if you want to try out all kinds of cameras at WDW, just wear a mult-pocket vest, cargo shorts and have a SLR strung around your neck - I had 5-6 people a day hand me their camera and ask me to take their pictures

See, this is why I love these boards... where else can a girl get great information & a comedy show

 

[boBQuincy]

Canon XS
Nikon D3000
Sony A330

I am a total DSLR newbie so I am looking for something that I can grow with but will not be so totally over my head in the beginning that I get frustrated.

Help!

All of these (and most dSLRs) have Auto and Program modes that work very well while you are learning (and after too).

 

[Groucho]

Thanks Groucho.

I think I'm having a hard time deciphering what is most important for what I want to capture.

ISO 1600 vs. 3200 (Canon model in question only goes to 1600)
FPS
Built in image stabilization vs. IS lenses

Well, of course built-in IS is great IMHO. (All the major DSLRs have it except Canon, Nikon, and the lowest rung of Olympus.)

Max ISO is nice but performance at a given ISO is more important. My first DSLR (Pentax *ist DL) went to ISO 3200 but had the same sensor as the Nikon D50, which only went to ISO 1600. Performance as ISO 1600 was pretty much the same on each model, despite having more available on mine. You could get fairly similar results on the Nikon by using -1 stop of exposure compensation and adding back that stop in post-processing on the computer.

They all have pros and cons. The Nikon has the largest LCD (but not the same high-resolution version found on higher-line DSLRs.) The Sony has the fastest-focusing Live View (which hopefully you won't be using much and a tilting screen. The Canon... ummm... well, it's probably the easiest to find in stores.

It's worth noting that the Pentax is the only one that can do video, too; although only at 24 fps.

 

[PhotographyDR]

Actually this is not that difficult of a decision especially if your new to the CSLR world. I had a Minolta (Sony now) and loved it a lot. I decided to switch to the Nikon World after the Minolta stopped working. I like you was confused at which line up to do to. In the end I learned that it really did not matter. All the Mfgs. are just about the same. Each will have a leg up on one area or another but for the most part it really does not matter. The only thing I can suggest is look at the Accessories, lenses, etc. that can go with your camera. The two big ones are Cannon and Nikon. They have more "stuff" that you can upgrade with but does not mean you have to but everything either. I would just pick any of the cameras you are looking at, a general purpose lens, look at a lot of photos on line (study the EXIF data) and listen to some photography podcast (TWIP, Photofocus, Nikonians, PhotoDojo, there are a lot) and start taking pictures. The more you think the less time you are shooting. Hope this helps. Remember to have Fun.

 

[Golf4food]

Would rather spend the money on better lenses.

Yet another reason to consider a Pentax: you can use old Pentax lenses on their newer models and they have HUGE lineup of great lenses and especially make a great line of prime lenses in darn near any focal length you could want or need (and then some). You can find older Pentax lenses cheap online because people think they are old and useless, but far from it. Heavier than some newer models and some won't work with modern auto focus, but the glass itself is great - at worst all you need to do is manual focus - not a bad idea anyway in many cases!

 

[dansamy]

I chose the Pentax K-x. The folks over at Steve's Digicams forums were super helpful to me in the selection process.

 

[lmbcdb]

I like the live view feature but it's not necessarily a deal breaker (today anyway ).

I am a total DSLR newbie so I am looking for something that I can grow with but will not be so totally over my head in the beginning that I get frustrated.

I, too, am a total DSLR newbie. I ended up with the Nikon D3000 and have had it for about 3 months now. My dad, a life long photographer, recommended the brand, and I picked the model. I was worried about not having the live view after having it for so long on the small digital camera, but it only took me about 24 hours to get used to not having it. Straight out of the box, I was taking pretty decent pictures. Next day, after reading about what all the things on the display mean, and how to use the focus spots, I had AWESOME pictures.

Love it. Fits well in my hand, not too heavy. My dad suggested I go pick up the different ones I was looking at and hold it, and I am glad I did. Then, shop around. They don't go on sale, but different stores definitely have different prices. I ended up getting mine at Sam's Club for $525 with the lens.

 

[bob100]

Thanks Groucho.

I think I'm having a hard time deciphering what is most important for what I want to capture.

ISO 1600 vs. 3200 (Canon model in question only goes to 1600)
FPS
Built in image stabilization vs. IS lenses

I am starting to think that the only way I can determine what I can live with/without is to actually use them? I keep going back to the different galleries on here but I am thinking that knowing how to use your instruments tools well (artistry) is equally important (if not moreso) to what tools it possesses.

Any thoughts?

don't let the greater "ISO" numbers influenced your decisions! the models that go past 1600 reach that through the camera's software, you can do the same in post processing. Your best option may be to save a little more money (or use Christmas $!) and buy a model like the Canon T1i (500D), Nikon 5000D, Pentax K-x, etc. - video and other features really make the newer models more attractive.

 

[YesDear]

Go Play! Pick the one that feels good in your hand. It feels intuitive to use. I personally agree that live view should not be an issue. You will not use it with a DSLR except in very rare circumstances.

If you truly think this is going to turn into something you will really get into, I would lead you more to Nikon or Canon. NOT that the other brands are not great cameras but that you will have more choices in bodies and glass. There is also a lot more used stuff that is available. Used in photography glass can be a great thing!!!

You will get to a point in your photography ( You can see it in some threads on this board) where the image becomes the issue. At that point the glass becomes far more important than the body. When a 55-200 kit lens just does not give you what you want and you drool every time you see a 70-200 lens you will understand. Just do not worry about that now. But look at where you can go when that happens.

The bottom line is pick the one you will use the most because it feels right. Then pick a Nikon! (oops, sorry the devil made me say that!!!! LOL)