Nikon vs Canon--what's your preference and WHY?

[zagafi]

Ok, I have another, possibly less quantifiable question for you: Why do you prefer Nikon over Canon or Canon over Nikon?

There's something about Nikon color that I love, but I'm not certain I could in any way "measure" it. So, what are you preferences based upon? Both are excellent and have loyal fans, but since I'm in my research phase of buying a DSLR (sold my D70 because I rarely used it, but realize now that was a mistake) I'd like to know what people think.

 

[Anewman]

For me there is not "preference", When I was shopping for my current camera(20D) Canon had what I needed at a better price. If I was shopping about a year later, it would have been the NIKON d200. If I was buying today, I would wait for the 30D replacement.

IMO the "color" preferences are pretty much mute when it comes to digital. I shoot RAW and can pretty much adjust the colors to match the look I want.

For me SPEED(focus and fps), ISO NOISE, pixel sharpness, overall PQ, lens availability, and Price are all of way more importance.

 

[gruZ]

The eternal debate rages on...

Both are excellent tools, and much of it comes down to personal preference. I use Canon simply because I always have, and I had Canon glass. If I had no prior experience or existing compatible equipment, it would be a tougher choice.

I would suggest going to a local camera store and use both brands in the store. See how they feel in your hands (different models of the same brand will feel different), play around with them. Even better - if you have any friends that would let you use a model for even a few hours, this would probably help you make a better, more informed decision.

At the end of the day, they are both great brands, and different people will prefer different things. Some people will become very heated in this debate (think Mac vs. Windows), but in the end you will make the decision that is right for you.

The glass in front of the camera, and more importantly the person behind it, will determine the final quality of the images.

 

[DueyDooDah]

The comparison between the two is very similar to naval ship comparisons: there are submarines (Canon) and targets (all others).

 

[MICKEY88]

Minolta/Sony.....LOL

with a small collection of Minolta slrs and lenses it made sense to stick with a Digital SLR that would accept my lenses...

everyone tends to ignore Sony althought their first digital slr.the alpha 100 was named the slr of the year...

 

[Steve's Girl]

Nikon because I thought they had a better selection of "walk-around" lenses. Also went to a camera store and took sample photos in the store, printed them out and thought the image quality of the Nikon was better straight out of the camera. I know you can fix all that in post-processing, but who has the time?

 

[fitzperry]

Also went to a camera store and took sample photos in the store, printed them out and thought the image quality of the Nikon was better straight out of the camera. I know you can fix all that in post-processing, but who has the time?

We did the same thing a couple of years ago when I bought my D70 and had the same result. Also, a local shop was offering a great deal on the D70 with the 18-70mm lens (at a time when there weren't many deals to be had on either the D70 or the Rebel). That lens was pretty highly regarded as kit lenses go, so I suppose you could say it was the glass that swayed me to the Nikon side.

 

[KaitlinsMom]

I have owned both - and I prefer Canon - For me, the reason is I find that Canon are more user friendly and i just like the way it feels in my hands. I also think I get better pictures(color, etc) than I did with my Nikon - But the main reason is because I just find it easier to use and the buttons are placed where I am not accidently hitting them and changing the settings all the time -

 

[YEKCIM]

Because my wife has Nikon equipment and *told me* to buy a Nikon. Can anyone argue with the logic of THAT?

~YEKCIM

 

[Anewman]

Because my wife has Nikon equipment and *told me* to buy a Nikon. Can anyone argue with the logic of THAT?

~YEKCIM

Only if you own a good sofa bed

 

[YEKCIM]

Only if you own a good sofa bed

I do, but it gets chilly in that part of the house...

~YEKCIM

 

[MissionMouse]

Nikon - superior lense performance

If you didn't use the D70 that much you may need to ask yourself why before you run out and spend a big chunk of change again. Maybe a SLR is to cumbersome for your lifestyle and what you may need high performing compact.

 

[ukcatfan]

If you are starting from scratch, I see no reason to not consider all models in your price range. There is some doubt that Sony and Olympus will still be making DSLRs in a few years, but who knows. Some people had Pentax slated for the coffin in '06 and now they seem to be a solid third place.

The best thing to do is research on your own. At this level it is tough to go on other's opinions b/c what they care about might not be the same as you.

With the time of year, I would wait until after the PMA in March, b/c there could be new releases that will make you regret a purchase made in Jan-Feb.

Kevin

 

[majimikate]

Canon (and Honda) all the way...because my Rebel body and kit lens were a gift!!! Anyone want to take on that logic ??

Chris

 

[MassJester]

This thread comes at a good time as I am looking for my first digital SLR.

I am interested in Canon's dust management mechanism (in the Xti, I think), but haven't met anyone who has had any experience with it -- anyone out there have any thoughts on it?

The D200 was just too heavy for me. Add a quality lends and it's like carrying around a baby. The D80 on the other hand is a nice piece of equipment.

I was a Minolta film SLR user, and have a fair number of lenses, but I'm making no bets on that platform.

 

[Anewman]

I was a Minolta film SLR user, and have a fair number of lenses, but I'm making no bets on that platform.

The Sony is a great DSLR, if you lenses are good ones I would put this on top of your list.

I rank it right there with the Nikon D80 and the Pentax K10d(I think).
It actually uses the same exact sensor(made by SONY).

 

[Groucho]

Neither, of course... honestly I wouldn't recommend either until they start putting image stabilization in the body, unless you are looking at a very high-end (like $1,500+) DSLR (and only then because nothing in that class has in-body IS - yet!)

If Pentax didn't exist, I'd probably use a Nikon (maybe a Sony), because the ergonomics of the Nikon are similar to the Pentax. Canon seems to be bought most often by people who are buying because of the Canon name/reputation rather than the camera itself (obviously there are exceptions, no need to flame!) The Canons also have a rep for iffy ergonomics, iffy build quality, and the worst kit lens. (Lest you think I hate all things Canon, we did recently buy a Canon PnS for my wife.)

Of course, they can all produce stellar image quality. That goes without saying. And with the Nikon and Pentax generally using the same sensors, it mostly comes down to lenses and software. Nikons seem to do slightly more aggressive noise reduction (Canon even more, once or twice I've heard mention of the Canons producing "plasticky" skin tones) than the Pentaxes - which you prefer is just that, a preference. But Pentax's unbeatable line of primes and history of great lenses sway me in that direction.

But again, image stabilization in the body is a huge difference for me. Every lens, no exceptions. With C/N, you'll pay, and pay dearly, every time, and too bad if you buy an IS lens that is not everything that you hoped for optically. So ultimately, unless you have an existing lens collection, I'd have to recommend the K100D for an entry-level and the K10D (with countless cutting-edge features) for a higher-line one.

But, as has been said so many times - they're all superb. We're talking about pretty fine little differences most of the time, and no matter what you get, the camera will probably be capable of better photos than you're capable of taking.

 

[jann1033]

i own a canon but admit to nikon envy...

i bought my rebet xt mainly cause i had a couple lens from my film rebel i hoped to be able to use...second reason being at the time the Nikon was i think about $200 more and i didn't see that much of a difference for the extra money...
however now i think the Nikon lens seem to be a lower price for the same quality IE i kind of wonder if i will ever get a really good canon lens that isn't L so $1000+.(except for the 70-200 f4 but that is still L even if relatively cheapish if anyone knows of one let me know )maybe just the mm i want are like that i don't know.... but the photos on here with Nikon's seem sharper than the canon ones with the same lens... i keep hoping it is due to the body and if i upgrade it will make my lenses better too....don't know if that is really true but i kind of wish i had spent the 200 cause it seems like i would have saved it eventually in the lenses and got better quality for the price ....just seems like often when i see a photo and think of how sharp it is it's a Nikon, dagnabit i forget whose photo i looked at the other day and almost sold all my stuff and bought a Nikon but that would probably be a mite overboard...

 

[MassJester]

I hear that. Lenses can be a beast.

In days gone by I went for cheap, high f rating be darned. Well, you all know what that got me--I have some pretty dark pictures of Barcelona that stand as mute testimony.

I think bite size investments over a period of time will have to do. I can see wanting another $2k-$3k in lenses after buying the camera (Gasp: why that's a good stay at the BWV!), and so I think that buying the entire package at once is out of the question.

 

[Furgus]

I have a D50, but I almost got an XT when I was shopping last May. Decision came down to feel for me. The Rebel was to small, and did not like the menu structure of it. Could I have gotten used to it, sure, but I liked the Nikon out of the box, and have grown to love it like a son I also like to pick on my Canon wielding buddies at work, you know who you are Bottom line, if it is comfortable to you, buy it, if it is not and someone just tells you that Canon, Sony, Nikon, Pentax, whatever is better and that is your whole reason to buy, you are buying for the wrong reason. Good luck in your search, and when you find that perfect camera for you, you will know it.