Canon vs. Nikon ????

[LaurieN]

Hi all, I am jumping in with both feet and getting my first dSLR (something I've wanted to do for some time now). I've had a few different point & shoot Canon's over the years and have been very happy with each of them, but feel I've outgrown them at this point. I've never owned a Nikon of any kind.
All that being said I don't want to make the "wrong" choice, I am very confused
So I guess my question is: Is one brand better than the other or is it just personal prefrence?

thanks in advance,
Laurie

 

[YesDear]

Congrats on wanting to continue your photography learning. It is a great way to express yourself in so many ways.

I have shot Nikon's for almost 40 yrs and that is what I will use. I can highly recommend the brand for many reasons. You will have long time Canon shooters do the same. I am also certain you will have other express dismay that you will not consider their brand choice.

You were right about the bottom line. It will boil down the the one that you feel you understand the best. How it feels in your hand and who may have the best deal on the kit in your price range. The vast majority of people will stick with their original choice.

So while I would recommend Nikon, it is really your choice and the one you choose will be fine.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Laurie - most of the regulars on this subforum will have their own personal brand loyalty.

I would recommend that you work out what type of photography you do i.e., sports, indoor, outdoors, people/kids etc and that would help you decide what sort of functions you would prefer to have in the dSLR and also what sort of lens you might start out with.

Have a budget in mind....and add 25 - 30% on top for the accessories like bags and cards; or more for a better lens.

Then go into a camera store and pick up and play with all the dSLRs for all the different manufacturers. The camera will feel differently in your hands. Make sure you play with the function buttons and menu. You want to be comfortable with adjusting the different buttons quickly and that navigating the menu makes sense to you.

I'm sure the others will come along and provide their input shortly. It does come down to personal preference and what you want in a camera and whether the camera of your choice feels comfortable in your hands.

Good luck with the decision!

 

[ssanders79]

There is no right or wrong choice. One might have this bell the other will have this whistle. That is marketing. For the most part they are basically the same... they take photos.

Anyway, set a budget, identify the models in your price range. Start researching the model and the brand as a whole. Your choice now will impact your future in terms of body upgrades, new glass, ect. I looked at my initial purchase as buying into a brand not buying a camera. I knew I would be adding to my gear which the main items are not compatible with other brands.

I have my brand loyalty, but that should not impact your purchase. Also, keep in mind while Nikon and Canon are the popular choices, there are other brands such as Sony, Olympus, and Pentax. (If i missed a brand I am sorry)

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I want to reiterate what others have said, it really does come down to personal preference. To give you an example, there are three brands, Sony, Nikon and Pentax, all using the same sensor in their prosumer cameras. Not that the sensor is the only variable to obtaining a good image, but it points to the fact that there isn't as much difference in the brands that there once was. Canon and Nikon are obviously the largest with Sony pushing real hard to make a dent. Pentax and Olympus are both smaller, niche companies. Pentax (my brand) was recently sold to Ricoh, another niche manufacturer which, in addition to copier solutions, makes high end P & S'. Pentaxians, for the most part, are a little nervous right now until everything shakes out with the new ownership. Its not often that once a DSLR is purchased that you change brands due to the investment in support equipment, ie, lenses, external flash, etc. I see that you live in New Jersey. If you are anywhere near New York City, I would recommend you take a trip and visit B & H and/or Adorama. They are two of the more respected online distributors and have good (some say great!) brick and mortar stores. You will be able to handle all the cameras that are on the market today. There are few really good camera stores left. Big box stores and others will carry a sampling of cameras and you will be very lucky if you can find anyone with the real knowledge to point you in the right direction. This is a good forum for getting information so feel free to ask as many questions as you need.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

You will know the right one when you have it in your hands. Get the camera that feels the best when you hold it, the one that you can navigate the menus easiest, etc.

If you can, get yourself to a camera store that will actually let you shoot with the camera without it being tethered to security devices (like at the big blue box store).

 

[Shutterbug]

You will need to put on the camera sorting hat and it will tell you which camera house you will be in

Thankfully I was put into the Canon House

I agree with what the others have said its mainly a personal preference.
Go somewhere where you can handle the camera. Do more than just hold it.
Work the buttons and dials to see if they are intuitive to you.
Look at the menu screens on the back to see if they are laid out in a way that you can figure out. Look through the viewfinder and see if the information is laid in a way that you like.

Do some research and see what features each camera offers.
DPReview.com has lots of good info on different cameras.

 

[zackiedawg]

I'll just add a little more fuel to what's being said the most often - there is absolutely, positively NO superior brand between the major DSLR manufacturers, which are Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Pentax. No one is better than the others, each has some particular features or benefits that might make them stand out for your needs, each has compromises that should be weighed to see if they affect you, each has different ergonomics and one might fit you best.

Handle them first to see what feels best to you. VERY VERY important - check out all of the features, abilities, and specific functions that may really be what you want - if you've never had a DSLR you may not really know what you want, but read up on some things that may be worth strong consideration. For example: in-lens stabilization vs in-body stabilization, video capabilities, electronic viewfinders vs optical viewfinders, differences in live view systems and how they operate, tilting or rotating LCD screens, various control differences, availability of a particular lens or lenses that you feel you would need, backwards compatibility with used or older lenses, high ISO ability, continuous frame rate...just to name a few. You might find out one of these things helps guide you to the best camera for you.

There are serious photographers, enthusiasts, beginners, amateurs, pros, snapshooters, and hobbyists shooting with all 4 of these brands. The best thing you could do for yourself is to consider them all, check out the offerings from all 4, leave biases home on the shelf, and honestly see what all these cameras have to offer you and how they feel in your hands. That way, whichever one you come home with, you can be absolutely secure that you got the absolute best camera for YOU.

 

[bob100]

Hi all, I am jumping in with both feet and getting my first dSLR (something I've wanted to do for some time now). I've had a few different point & shoot Canon's over the years and have been very happy with each of them, but feel I've outgrown them at this point. I've never owned a Nikon of any kind.
All that being said I don't want to make the "wrong" choice, I am very confused
So I guess my question is: Is one brand better than the other or is it just personal prefrence?
thanks in advance,
Laurie

I've used Canon for many years and would recommend that system but I also agree with the rest, go to a store and check them out. You can't go wrong with any of the entry level DSLR's - Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, etc.

 

[Frantasmic]

My personal belief (nothing to back it up with) is that Canon makes the better entry level to lower intermediate dslrs. There are more of them and they get really good reviews. I think Nikon makes better higher end cameras.

If I had the money, I'd seriously consider Nikon at the d300s levels and above.

 

[LaurieN]

I see that you live in New Jersey. If you are anywhere near New York City, I would recommend you take a trip and visit B & H and/or Adorama. They are two of the more respected online distributors and have good (some say great!) brick and mortar stores. You will be able to handle all the cameras that are on the market today. There are few really good camera stores left. Big box stores and others will carry a sampling of cameras and you will be very lucky if you can find anyone with the real knowledge to point you in the right direction. This is a good forum for getting information so feel free to ask as many questions as you need.

Thanks you all so much, you've been very helpful I am not far from NYC, I think I will take your advice and pay B&H a visit (I plan on being in the city next week). I don't really care for my local camera store, they are not the friendliest bunch!

Again, thank you all so much for your help. I will be back to let you know what I chose, and I'm sure with a million more question!
Laurie