My thoughts on the subject of what camera brand to buy into are:
- The choice should never be made on what camera body you are interested in at the moment based on strictly the stats. Camera bodies are depreciating/disposable assets. By their very nature, they are a ticking clock winding down to their eventual demise (use will eventually cause the shutter to fail and need to be replaced)or obsolesce (better technology over time).
- The choice on brand regarding the camera body should be based on the ergonomics of how they feel in the hand and how the menu systems are layed out. Nikon and Canon are different in feel in handling.
- In my opinion, the choice of brand is based on the "system" you are buying into which is more than just the body. Lenses, flashes, shutter releases, etc. Look at which brands have the items you want to use over the long haul.
- Save money by buying the rest of the things in your "system" only once. Lenses, filters, flashes retain their value from a financial point and more importantly a practical point of being able to reuse them as you replace your body.
- Make the determination if you plan to ever go full frame in advance. Save money from the start by buying lenses that you plan on keeping down the road.
- Buy lenses only once. Not only regarding full frame; but, also regarding focal lengths and features like stabilization and most importantly speed. Lenses can last forever and a good lens today will be worth the same tomorrow - and in many cases, quality lenses go up in value as inflation drives MSRP up.
- Buy filters only once. Plan out what lenses you may purchase in the future and get filters in the biggest size you plan on ever having a lens for and then use step up adapters to use them on all your lenses.
- Buy a good tripod from the start. Everyone makes this mistakes and eventually replaces their tripod.
My recommendation for someone about to get into semi-serious SLR photography these days is buy a used full frame model and then purchase quality lenses and surrounding gear. Take advantage of the used market for the body and the lenses even.
For me, my choice between Canon and Nikon came down to me wanting to shoot full frame landscapes. The best tool for the job was and still is at this time the Nikon 14-24mm.
