Need help - Canon or Nikon Digital SLR???

[kendrafitz]

Hi Everyone,

I have been using a Minolta Maxxum 5D until recently. Then antishake unit broke and since Sony took over Minolta the part is no longer available.

So now I am shopping for a new Digital. I have done some research and I have decided I would like either a Nikon or Canon Digital SLR.

I was wondering if I could get some opinions on them? I am a serious novice photographer (ie: I take a ton of pictures of the kids and also for selling on ebay). I don't know a whole heck of a lot about cameras but I do know I want a camera that takes pictures in quick succession and excellent clarity.

Thanks again for any and all help!!

 

[Master Mason]

Hi Everyone,

I have been using a Minolta Maxxum 5D until recently. Then antishake unit broke and since Sony took over Minolta the part is no longer available.

So now I am shopping for a new Digital. I have done some research and I have decided I would like either a Nikon or Canon Digital SLR.

I was wondering if I could get some opinions on them? I am a serious novice photographer (ie: I take a ton of pictures of the kids and also for selling on ebay). I don't know a whole heck of a lot about cameras but I do know I want a camera that takes pictures in quick succession and excellent clarity.

Thanks again for any and all help!!

This is like the ford vs chevy debate.... There is no real answer, and comes down to personal preference.....

If you give us some idea of what your looking for in specifics... you might get some comments about those specifics.....

But the best bet would be to decide what features you want, your budget... then side by side compare them for feel etc...

 

[robertchance]

either camera will do,,it's not the camera that takes great pics, it's the brain behind it that does

 

[Furgus]

Get a Nikon, Canon stinks j/k I went with the Nikon D50 just cause it felt better in my hands. The Rebel is a great camera also, and even though it was more MP, it was not an issue for me. It really comes down to what you want to spend and how it feels. Almost all of the digital SLR's are the same when you compare comparable models, but if it doesn't feel right, you will know. Go into a camera store and ask to just hold and snap off some pics. You will know which one is right for you when you do this. Good luck.

 

[mabas9395]

In the SLR world, the cameral is just one piece of a larger system. With all the interchangeable lenses, flashes, memory cards, etc, you might find a camera that is perfect for you, but the lenses you want are way too expensive or you have already spent $500 on CF cards but the camera you like takes SD cards.

So as you try to decide, think about which "system" meets your needs/wants, don't just think about the camera.

That being said, my advice would be to take photos with a Canon and drive a Dodge!

 

[Groucho]

This is like the ford vs chevy debate.... There is no real answer, and comes down to personal preference.....

If you give us some idea of what your looking for in specifics... you might get some comments about those specifics.....

But the best bet would be to decide what features you want, your budget... then side by side compare them for feel etc...

In the Ford vs Chevy debates, I was always on the Chrysler side. Same with Japanese cars - Honda vs Toyota? Gimme a Subaru! Anyone who's ready my other posts knows where I'm going here.

To the OP - are you sure that you can't get the part? I actually called Sony today about a Minolta repair (the wife's X20 has a wonky CCD), and got a human being right away, who was helpful and the camera is being repaired for free even though it's at least 3-4 years old, due to a CCD recall. They're even sending a prepaid envelope. If you have lenses, you might be best to stick with the Sony DSLR to keep using your current ones. It also has the image stabilization, which you might miss if you go with a C/N.

My impressions of the "big three" DSLRs (and no doubt these can be debated):
Canons may have a slight image quality edge, but it's slight. The lenses are expensive (some extremely so), image stabilization is only available in the lenses, and ergonomics are more frequently listed as a problem than others. Only relatively new lenses work. They also have the smallest LCDs - not a huge deal but there it is. They do usually have higher megapixel counts but actual detail will not be significantly different than the 6mp DSLRs from the others.

Nikons seem to be slightly cheaper and are good all-around, but again, image stabilization is only in the lens and while it can use older lenses, it cannot meter with them.

Pentaxes are cheaper yet and use the same Sony sensor as most of the Nikons. Some claim inferior high-ISO performance but plenty of people don't see a difference and are very happy with high ISOs. They (apart from the upcoming K10 and the DS models) have a shorter burst rate than the C/Ns but I don't find that to be much of an issue in the "real world", but it depends on how you like to shoot. The K100D and K10D have image stabilization in the body, and they all work very well with any Pentax lens ever made. Pentax also is the only to currently offer a full line of primes. Ergonomics are often rated highest on the Pentaxs, but the Nikons are virtually identical, just slightly larger/heavier.

If I were buying a highend-end (say, $800+) camera, I'd go for the Pentax K10D and really not consider anything else, but it's not out yet so that depends on the image quality, since they're using a new 10mp sensor and some other new tricks.

For the lower range, my first choice (picking one from each manufacturer) would be the Pentax K100D, then a Nikon D50, then a Canon. I know many people love their Canons, but I've heard more people who aren't particularly happy with them than I have for the other two. And the cost of the image-stabilization lenses is breathtaking!

But chances are, you'll be extremely happy no matter what you end up with. They're all superb and any faults are usually pretty nit-picking ones.

 

[Boss Hogg]

As people have said, little in it and all down to personal choice. That having been said get a Canon!! We've just upgraded from our 300D (rebel) to the new 400D (rebel xti), and I am very impressed with its speed, image quality and feel.

I remember seeing some comparisons a while ago, and I much preferred the images the Canon took over the Nikon - I thought they were much sharper and colours were better, but again this would be down to personal preference.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I don't think you'll go wrong with either Nikon or Canon. I'd recommend buying what your friends have so that you can share lenses.

If a low-end DSLR is all you think you'll ever need, I'd consider a Pentax or Sony. However, if I thought that there was a chance that I'd take it up as a serious hobby, I'd stick with Nikon and Canon. They both offer much wider ranges of cameras and lenses.

 

[handicap18]

Ditto to what has already been said. Nikon and Canon are the 2 biggies followed by Pentax, Minolta/Sony and the others. Nikon and Canon have the most variety from the "entry level" consumer versions (D50 and digital Rebel) to the $4000+ high end professionals (D2Xs for Nikon and I believe Canons is the 5D maybe).

Biggest thing isn't really the body. The way digital SLR's are going the bodies are like computers. Wait a year or 2 and it will be outdated only to be replaced by something faster, with more features and less expensive. So I really wouldn't look past the Nikon D50 or D80 and with Canon the Rebel XTi or the 30D. Prices are going to be similar, Canon might be slightly higher (at least they were when I was paying closer attention). I have the Nikon D50 and really enjoy it. If I could afford to upgrade to the D80 I would, but thats not in the cards. Plus by the time I'm ready to upgrade 3 or 4 other bodies will have come and gone. The 2 newest for Nikon and Canon are the D80 and digital Rebel XTi (or 400D). They're going to be fairly similar. Check out the different review web sites for specifics, then get yourself to a store that stocks both and try them out to see what feels better in your hands.

Next to watch for are lenses. There are litterally THOUSANDS (at least it seems that way) I've read many places that the Nikon kit lens (the new one for the D80) the Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED-IF AF-S DX is better than the Canon 18-55mm. Not that the later is crap. The Nikon has a much larger range to start you off with. That doesn't mean that you can't pick up a Sigma 18-125mm to fit either companies bodies.

Both offer very similar ranges and prices are about the same. I think Nikon has done a better job of offering more of the "walk-around" lenses, IE: 18-55mm, 18-70mm, 18-135mm (all kit lenses), as well as the 18-200mm with VR along with a few f/2.8 lenses (18-35 and 17-55). Both also have some in the 24-105 range that have VR/IS. There are also a large number of other lenes with and with VR/IS to conside in various zoom ranges and also primes (28mm, 50mm 85mm etc...)

Flashes are another thing to consider as well.

Happy shopping.

 

[YEKCIM]

The K100D and K10D have image stabilization in the lens

The IS is actually in the body, which is, I'm certain, what Groucho meant to say. He is correct that that feature means that any lens mounted on these cameras is stabilized.

The K10, fwiw, looks to be a very impressive piece of gear, based on the specs and the few samples that have been released in the last day or two. For $1000, with kit lens ($900 body only) it appears that Pentax will sell a ton of them. I'm personally looking strongly at that model.

~YEKCIM

 

[Groucho]

The IS is actually in the body, which is, I'm certain, what Groucho meant to say. He is correct that that feature means that any lens mounted on these cameras is stabilized.

$*#*$!!! (Insert favorite expletive there.) Again I my fingers and my brain had a disconnect. Argh! Yes, you're absolutely right and I did correct my original message.

The K10, fwiw, looks to be a very impressive piece of gear, based on the specs and the few samples that have been released in the last day or two. For $1000, with kit lens ($900 body only) it appears that Pentax will sell a ton of them. I'm personally looking strongly at that model.

I read some of your messages over at DPReview and had half amusement and half sympathy for your decision-making process. I'd like to move to an IS body at some point but I'll have to hold a K10D (and make sure the reviews are as good as I hope they will be) to make sure it's not bigger/heavier than I'd like. I really like that the DL and K100D are pretty small and light but still feel "right" but man, those K10D specs are impressive. I've even toyed with selling my DL for a profit (as I got it very cheap) and going to a K100D but I don't think I'm going to bother at this point.

The K10D price will also be interesting to watch - as of yesterday, Beach had the K100D with kit lens for $572 - that's pretty astonishing IMHO. If the K10D also has such big discounts it will be very hard to resist.

Either way, having seen what you've done with a relatively cheap PnS, I'm looking forward to seeing what you produce with a DSLR.

 

[jann1033]

ita it's the photographer to a large part.. i recently saw some from the nikon d70 that are even worse than mine from my rebel xt ( not here, from a friend who couldn't get his cd to open...think it was just rebelling due not wanting to have to play the awful pics on the cd he just is not a good photographer with this expensive camera just like he wasn't with his cheap point and shoot,.. feet, trees, telephone poles etc still "grow" out of people's heads in most of his shots...not trying to be mean , just a fact.)

did want to mention...some of the canon lens ( IS) are in the $400 range which imo isn't that terrible

 

[YEKCIM]

$*#*$!!! (Insert favorite expletive there.) Again I my fingers and my brain had a disconnect. Argh! Yes, you're absolutely right and I did correct my original message.


I read some of your messages over at DPReview and had half amusement and half sympathy for your decision-making process. I'd like to move to an IS body at some point but I'll have to hold a K10D (and make sure the reviews are as good as I hope they will be) to make sure it's not bigger/heavier than I'd like. I really like that the DL and K100D are pretty small and light but still feel "right" but man, those K10D specs are impressive. I've even toyed with selling my DL for a profit (as I got it very cheap) and going to a K100D but I don't think I'm going to bother at this point.

The K10D price will also be interesting to watch - as of yesterday, Beach had the K100D with kit lens for $572 - that's pretty astonishing IMHO. If the K10D also has such big discounts it will be very hard to resist.

Either way, having seen what you've done with a relatively cheap PnS, I'm looking forward to seeing what you produce with a DSLR.

Groucho:

Thanks for the kind words. Given the $225 purchase price of the S5200, I'm pretty happy with the results. However, the wife of me just took delivery of a brand new Nikon D200 w/18-70, 50/1.8, SB800, and a battery grip (which I think she is going to return) so I'm definitely way behind the curve, equipment wise. I've been scrimping and saving, eating PBJ's for lunch and hiding my lunch money in a coffee can buried in the back yard, in order to move up to dslr. I'd pretty well decided on a D50, but was waiting to see what Photokina would reveal. Photokina revealed the K10D!

I'm guessing that Pentax has priced this thing at little or no margin in order to snag as much of the market as possible, with a no-brainer camera body (if the reviews match the paper specs). I won't make a move until there are some reviews and samples (dpreview and steve's) on the web, for sure, but at this point, it all looks very good for Pentax. One minor concern is size/weight of the K10D. I picked up my wife's new D200 this morning and think I pulled a muscle in my back. The thing is a CHUNK, and the K10D ain't much lighter. OTOH, a weatherproofed, 10MP body with AS and sensor cleaning technology *should* feel a bit more "substantial", I guess.

Catch ya later.

~YEKCIM (or, if you prefer, fasteddiew)

 

[kendrafitz]

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to thank you for all of the great information.

As it turns out, since my original camera is not fixable they offered me a Sony Alpha in it's place. I figured that would be best for me since whatever buyout they would send me would not cover the Nikon or the Canon.

Thanks again, I really appreciate you all taking the time for giving me input.

 

[YEKCIM]

As it turns out, since my original camera is not fixable they offered me a Sony Alpha in it's place.

Pretty good arrangement, considering K/M is no longer in the business.

~YEKCIM

 

[MICKEY88]

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to thank you for all of the great information.

As it turns out, since my original camera is not fixable they offered me a Sony Alpha in it's place. I figured that would be best for me since whatever buyout they would send me would not cover the Nikon or the Canon.

Thanks again, I really appreciate you all taking the time for giving me input.

I'd have suggested the Sony anyway, since you already have at least one lens, and whatever other accessories...

 

[Groucho]

Absolutely... to say nothing of getting a $900 DSLR with IS for free! Can't beat that deal.