Canon vs Nikon

[funforfive]

I'm ready to take the plunge, but looking at either Nikon D3100 or Canon t1i, which do you all think is a better choice? I've read reviews, looked in this forum and am having a hard time deciding. The package price I'm looking at has Nikon about $100 less than Canon Package.

Any opinions, pros/cons to either? I don't currently have a DSLR so looking for best entry level of the 2.

Thanks

 

[Evad]

Nikon is far superior to Canon!!!! Go with the Nikon!! Just my honest opinion....

 

[disneyboy2003]

Canon is far superior to Nikon!!!! Go with the Canon!! Just my honest opinion....

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Oh boy

 

[YesDear]

This one is easy. The Nikon fans will say Nikon. The Canon fans will say Canon. Serveral will say you are misguided and you need a Pentax, and a few more will try to tell you Sony is the way to go!

THey both are excellent systems. Both will allow you to grow to the professional level should you decide. I always believe you should play with each and see which one makes more sense to you! I have used Nikons since the mid 1970s so you know what my choice is.

Oh and several will overkill you with technical photo speak.

Get the one you will use and learn and enjoy!

 

[ukcatfan]

Oh boy

Agreed, naming a thread "Canon vs Nikon" is just asking for trouble!

As for the decision, the Nikon is a generation newer than the T1i, but I doubt that will make much of a difference. Compare the features you think will be the best for you and also see how they feel in your hands. If you don't like the feel, then you will never use it.

Oh yeah, go Pentax!

 

[DVC Mike]

I'm ready to take the plunge, but looking at either Nikon D3100 or Canon t1i, which do you all think is a better choice?

I think the Nikon D3100 beats the Canon T1i.

Are you also looking at the Canon T2i or T3i?

 

[photo_chick]

The best one? Which ever fits in your hands the most comfortably, fits your budget and has the features you want. And that is most definitely not limited to Canon or Nikon.

 

[disneyboy2003]

Just FYI regarding the Canon T1i, please note that there have been 2 newer upgrades to this camera: The Canon T2i, and the Canon T3i.

The Canon T1i was released in May 2009.
The Canon T2i was released in February 2010.
The Canon T3i was released in February 2011.

To be honest, though, any entry-level dSLR camera will give you great photos and a great starting point from which to expand your knowledge of photography, no matter what brand or what model camera you decide to buy.

 

[Spinning]

I was in the same boat about 2 years ago. I had decided after reading and reading and reading I wanted a Nikon. Had it all picked out and in my cart online. Then decided lets go to Ritz and just look at it. I did...then I picked up the canon D50 and it was love....I didn't care that it cost me more, I didn't care it didn't have video.....It just fit my hand and I loved the weight, (it weighed so much more than the nikon) It has been the perfect camera! I am sure I would have loved the nikon but honestly you have to be comfortable with it and it needs to fit your hands, eyes, etc....

 

[Shutterbug]

Thats an age old question that started many of wars

You've said you have read alot on them but have you actually seen them in person?

My suggestion is this. Go somewhere and actually hold each one in your hands. See how it feels in your hands. Try out the controls and menu systems see which one seems to be more intuitive for you.

 

[Evad]

Canon is far superior to Nikon!!!! Go with the Canon!! Just my honest opinion....

 

[funforfive]

OP here...sorry didn't mean to cause problems, I realize everyone has their favorite. I was hoping to get some honest perspective on what you like about the 2 cameras I mentioned. I have seen/held both and like them equally. The price for the Canon is about $125 more has an extra 55-250mm lense vs an extra 55-200mm with the Nikon.

Thanks

 

[Anewman]

I realize everyone has their favorite. I was hoping to get some honest perspective

Thing is that when a Chevy fan tells you that their trucks are the best, they are being honest(from their perspective)

Same thing with a Ford man...

But we all know DODGE rules them all

 

[ukcatfan]

OP here...sorry didn't mean to cause problems, I realize everyone has their favorite. I was hoping to get some honest perspective on what you like about the 2 cameras I mentioned. I have seen/held both and like them equally. The price for the Canon is about $125 more has an extra 55-250mm lense vs an extra 55-200mm with the Nikon.

Thanks

You didn't cause any problems. It is actually sort of amusing for the regulars here. It is kind of like standing in the middle of downtown Detroit and asking people Ford or Chevy?

Like I mentioned earlier, the two are different generations, but the t1i was the top of the entry level for its time. I wouldn't really consider the D3100 that, but being newer, I think they compare pretty equally. If you are set on one of those, then go with the one that feels better. The lenses are also pretty equal. They are entry level, so don't expect the quality of a $1K+ lens. If you think you are going to upgrade lenses fairly soon, then maybe you should start looking at those options so you have a plan in place. Picking one brand over another could have huge budget implications in the future.

 

[ukcatfan]

Thing is that when a Chevy fan tells you that their trucks are the best, they are being honest(from their perspective)

Same thing with a Ford man...

But we all know DODGE rules them all

Too funny! I was thinking the same thing, but walked away from my computer for a few before finishing my post.

 

[m-tinkerbelle]

I was in your same boat 15 days ago and was wondering the same thing. I ended up buying the Nikon D3100 with kit lenses 18-55mm VR and 55-300VR. Just a matter of local availability and that I found a bargain.

I first checked all the cameras in my budget range out,but I didn't know which one to choose because since I never had a DSLR I couldn't tell which one of the cameras had the right "feel". They all felt the same. Some a bit lighter, some heavier... but all kinda the same

I ended up with the D3100 and I just wanted to tell you it's a great camera for beginners. That doesn't mean that a Canon will make you less happy at all.

Go to the Nikon site, there's an interactive tutorial with videos on how to use the camera and it gives you an idea of where the buttons are and how the menus and features work.
Check the camera features at Canon's website as well. If one of them has an additional feature you can't live without, go for that one

But as they told me here, if you're going to become a photographer the body of the camera is not as important as the lenses and you'll change it sort of often.

 

[ssanders79]

I'm a nikon fan, but I will not try to sell you on the brand or any brand for that matter. Ultimately you will need to do your own research into the brands and find one you want to grow old with. I look at it like marriage you are not just buying camera, you are buying into the brand.

I would also suggest getting each one in your hand and see what feels best. I choose Nikon for a few reasons after about 6 months of my own personal research.

 

[handicap18]

OP here...sorry didn't mean to cause problems, I realize everyone has their favorite. I was hoping to get some honest perspective on what you like about the 2 cameras I mentioned. I have seen/held both and like them equally. The price for the Canon is about $125 more has an extra 55-250mm lense vs an extra 55-200mm with the Nikon.

Thanks

Its really hard to get an honest perspective when your dealing with this kind of question. Canon users know Canon equipment. Nikon users know Nikon equipment.

Even then most users know pretty much their own model and maybe 1 or 2 others depending on how many times they have upgraded.

I'm a Nikon users and can tell you all about the N6006, N70, D50 and D300. Those are the models I have shot with over the years. I have used a D40 and read a lot about the D700. I have recommended the D3100 to a friend but haven't used one (I recommended it because I am a Nikon shooter and he would be able to borrow a few of my lenses every now and then).

I have a few friends who are Canon shooters and I know a little about the 30D, 50D, 7D and the 5D Mark II because those are the bodies they have used/are using.

In the end what it comes down to is how each feels in your hand. Do you like the feel? Do you like the layout of the buttons? Any of the camera's will give you a lot of features and more than give you enough room to learn and grow.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Lol - saw this thread name and all the posts and just HAD to see what was being said!

Can't really help you OP other than to say that all new DSLR's are very capable and it will come down much more to the photographer than the camera itself. Go with whichever feels more comfortable or maybe weight it towards the lenses in the package unless you think you'll change those later on.

Oh - and if you can't decide then go Sony!