Canon vs. Nikon questions from a BEGINNER?

Question

i am passionate about photography and want to go pro eventually. i finally have enough to buy a decent dslr and i would like some advice/answers..

People have told me that you can tell the difference between a Nikon photo and a Canon photo. Is that true? are there any differences in pictures taken with a nikon and pictures taken with a canon? If so i would like to know.

Canon seems to be more popular, why is that so, what is the reason?

i guess i would like to know what the key differences between Nikon and Canon are.

I am looking to buy a camera around 1000-1500$(max) and i am confused whether to invest in Canon or in Nikon.

I have held and played around with BOTH Nikons and Canons and I like the feel and everything of both, the only issue is to decide between the two brands. which would be a better choice in the long term?

ANY pros and cons, differences and similarities in pictures, etc...

Answer 1

I really doubt that you could find a difference in the images they produce. At least, you could not find any that are meaningful in the real world.



This becomes a very emotional issue with people defending "their" brand the same way you would see in a Ford vs. Chevy argument and it's all nonsense.



The most important thing is how the camera feels to you, but you said that you like them both.



The next thing that YOU have to consider is how the camera is to use.



Personally, after about 40 years of film photography, I prefer the Nikon approach. Even if we ignore that your budget will not include a spot meter in a Canon camera, I am very strongly in favor of the Nikon "two wheel" approach in the under-$1,000 class. This makes it much easier to move along and get the shot. The front wheel controls the aperture and the rear wheel controls the shutter speed. This makes perfect sense to me. They each have multiple functions when used in combination with other buttons and this is always logical. My wife has a Nikon D50, which only has one command dial. I find that I am constantly having to stop and figure out how to get the camera to do what I want it to, because this forces you to rely on menus more than a two-dial system. I have never actually USED a Canon in the real world, but playing with them in stores kind of turned me off.



In your price range, you are looking at a Nikon D80 or a Canon XTi and maybe the new XSi. This allows enough for the basic 18-55 lens (a good choice in either brand) and a decent memory card.



Just because I have not posted it for a week or two, I'll show you my stock answer on the Nikon D80 vs the rest of the pack. The Canon Rebel XSi (450D) is not in this review, but neither is whatever Nikon has up their sleeve for the next couple of months...



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I wrote this almost a year ago, but there has not been much change in this segment of the market. Everyone has introduced higher level cameras (Nikon D300, Canon 30D, Sony a700, etc), but this price range has remained fairly stable.



The February 2007 issue of Popular Photography has an article where they compared the top 10 MP DSLR's. I took the scores and ranked the cameras similar to the way Formula 1 gives championship points. I just gave 5 for 1st place down to 1 for last place, splitting the difference when cameras tied in their catagories.



They evaluated Image Quality (giving this twice as much weight as anything else), Ease of Use, Control, and System Flexibility.



The final order and my scores are:



Nikon D80 - 17.5 points

- BEST in Image Quality, Control and System Flexibility

Canon Rebel XTi (400D) - 13.5 points

- Tied for best in System Flexibility

Pentax K10D - 11 points

- Tied for best in Ease of Use

Samsung GX10 - 11 points

- Tied for best in Ease of Use

Sony Alpha 100 - 7 points

- LAST in Image Quality, Ease of Use and System Flexibility."



Then again, this is the same magazine that put the Sony Alpha 100 dead last in this comparison named it the camera of the year in the previous issue! (In a follow-up to this seeming error, Pop Photo published the explanation that only the D80 and the Sony had been tested by the end-of-year deadline for choosing the Camera of the Year. Sony won on the strength of low price and built-in image stabilization. The other 3 that beat Sony in shoot-out were not tested until after the Camera of the Year was selected, because they were not yet available.)



Go to the original question and read the responses for more opinions.

https://answersrip.com/question/index?qid=20070113133139AAHWJY0



If you want to get the "best" for the real world, consider the Nikon D200 or Canon 30D if you can afford it. For about $300-500 less, look at the results of the recent PopPhoto test and choose from that list according to your taste.



Personally, I use a Nikon D200 and would recommend it without hesitation to someone who has some knowledge of photography. For someone who wants the "best," but is starting with somewhat of an "entry level" knowledge base, I'd suggest the Nikon D80.



There are people out there who will state their preference for the Canon cameras and I will not argue with them. The Canon 30D and 400D are excellent cameras as well. You would have to visit a camera store or camera department and pick them up and see what you think.



This article is available online at:



http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3569/10mp-dslr-shootout.html



Here's another reference from outside the photographic press. Consumer reports compared the Nikon D80, Canon Rebel XTi and Sony Alpha. Personally, I'd say that the Nikon came out on top here, also. It beats the Sony in "noise-free ISO" with an acceptable rating at ISO 1600 (kind of optimistic, I think...) compared to the Sony's ISO 400. It beats the Canon (in my opinion) by having a spot meter that the Canon does not offer.



http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/news-electronics-computers/november-2006/shootout-10-megapixel-digital-slr-cameras-11-06/overview/0611_digital-slr-shoot-out.htm



Here's another comparison of interest:



http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content/Canon-Rebel-XTi-vs-Nikon-D80-vs-Sony-Alpha-A100-Head-to-Head-to-Head-Digital-Camera-Review-.htm

[Note the navigation menu near the top of the review]



The next thing to consider is what lens to start with and where you go from there. If you are new to this, I'd say to just get the "kit" lens, which seems to be the 18-135 lens for the D80, and get started. Once you know where you really want to go with your photography, Nikon has an almost unlimited family of lenses to choose from.



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I added a star, because the answers are getting pretty interesting.

Answer 2

Point 1. As a sideline I judge inter club competitions in the UK (1000's of images a year) In my experience you can't tell the difference between cameras - any make of camera- you can tell the difference between lenses. Some of the best, maybe surprisingly, are older primes.



Point 2 Canon spend more on advertising and PR, that's passed on to you the customer, this makes Canon less cost effective than Nikon.



Point 3 Nikon are better value and their technology is more up to date than Canon. Nikon score on build quality too.



My own points. Don't focus on the camera they are all as good as each other, instead focus on the lenses, a camera is just a light tight box with a sensor/shutter in it, it's the lens that forms the image. Look for what you get for your Dollar. Don't dismiss other makes, for instance Pentax offers anti shake in camera, so every lens you fit has anti shake, it's not an extra you have to pay for. Check out the viewfinder, it's your connection with your subject, and should be as large and bright as possible.



Some more general points. What are you going to use the camera for? If it's sports photography (or shooting children - which is the same thing) then frames per second matters, if it's landscape it hardly matters at all.



Bear in mind that your $1000 - $1500 is just a down payment on the system you will end up buying!! Add to that a long lens (preferably f2.8), a macro lens, dedicated flashguns etc. etc. the list goes on. Make a list of your ideal kit and add it all up - then compare. I think you'll find that Nikon is a lot cheaper than Canon and Pentax will be about 2/3rds of the Nikon price.



Chris

Answer 3

I bought into the Canon system because, at the time, they were far ahead of Nikon. Now Nikon is in the lead. I still enjoy my Canon, but if I ad to do it all over again I would seriously look into the Sony because they have image stabilization built into the camera, saving big bucks on lenses and I like that feature.

Answer 4

It's all about personal preference. Canon and Nikon are tops in their field. It's like asking which is better Ferrari or Lamborghini. (Or Mac or PC). You'll get heated arguments from fanboys of both sides. However, there will be no difference in the quality of the pictures you take with either Nikon or Canon cameras (and lenses, which are more important than the body). This depends much more on who is behind the camera.



Buy whichever feels right and has the features you want. You'll be happy either way. There is no Yugo in your shortlist.



Kristina: Nikon does now sell some lenses in white now, so those lenses you see on the sidelines of sports events *may* not always be Canons, but most of the time they will be. And Nikon makes plenty of long lenses.

Answer 5

Some pros use nikon some use canon. Those that use long lenses use canons only - look at the lenses at a sports event sometime the white ones are canons.

Answer 6

I will add some more to the info you received since I have shot with many types of cameras and presently shoot using Nikon equipment. One of the main reasons I switched to Nikon is that they never changed their lens mount or the flash shoe mount. In other words you can still use the older flashes and lens that are 25 years old. Some will wonder why worry about such a thing. If you are a good photographer you can still get good shots with these flashes and lenses and not letting the camera do the "thinking". I have an older manual 55mm macro lens that works perfect and I only use it for flowers and plants so why should I go and buy the 60mm AF macro for $400?? The newer Nikon flashes (SB-800 costs $300) and can do a lot of stuff I know because I have one but I also have 4 older SB-26 because they can do stuff that the newer flashes can not do (rear curtain sync, and built in flash sensor). Plus most of the time I am shooting using an SB-28dx using a Quantum Battery 1+. The flash puts out a light source and if you use your technical skills you can shoot with one of the older flashes just as good as the newer ones.



A lot of photographers will disagree with me but the overall objective is to capture the image and what camera or lens you choose to use is your choice.



Hope this helps,

Kevin

Answer 7

I don't think that the brand name necessarily makes a camera good or bad... it's more what the camera is capable of doing.



We use the Canon Rebel XTI at the Art Institute... it is a pretty nice camera and is reasonably priced. I believe that the newer version (the XSI) will be coming out in a few months. However, if you buy the XTI then you'll still have some extra cash left over to a nice lens as well.



Best of luck!

Answer 8

You have great answers so far. I started with Canon in the early 1970's and switched to Nikon in 1994. (However, I did not have too many expensive Canon lenses) I liked both, but the Nikon just feels better in my hands, and also I seem to see better through the Nikon viewfinder as opposed to Canon. Any one of the major brands will be fine. Canon used to have a bit better noise control at higher ISO, but I believe that playing field has been leveled now. You might find some areas where Canon has an edge, and some where it's Nikon, but the best camera is the one you have and know how to use. So pick the one that feels best and start shooting! Best wishes!

Answer 9

I think you should spend your money wisely and keep a bundle in your pocket rather than spending it a super expensive camera and lenses especially when few, if any, of the respondents in this group could tell you whether your photograph was shot with a Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony, Olympus, Samsung or any other camera similiarly accoutred (that word means outfitted). At this point in your photographic journey, you do not have to spend your money to get the best when, indeed, "the best" will be superceded in just a few months and then you will have "second best."



the Canons or Nikons that would be the best are so much more expensive than the others that it would be unwise not to look at all.



And, if you did not know it, Olympus has been manufacturing cameras quite a bit longer than either Nikon or Canon.

Answer 10

go for the nikon, either the d80 or d40x

Answer 11

I really think you are severely limiting yourself by only looking at Canon and Nikon. They are almost exactly the same. Both also use in lens stabilization so you have to buy the right lenses to get that. Sony, Pentax and Olympus have in body stabilization so every lens that will fit their cameras are stabilized. True, Canon and Nikon have hundreds of lenses. How many lenses does one person need? I have a Sony a700 and any lens that I want is available. So that argument is moot. As to Canon focusing faster, I had a 35mm Rebel (bought new in 2006)and that thing couldn't keep up with my daughter as an infant, before she was even mobile so I had no choice but to manual focus. I got a 20+ year old Minolta Maxxum a year ago and it blew the three year old Rebel away as far as focus is concerned. So I gave the Canon away and kept the Maxxum. The a700 I bought earlier this year and it focuses so fast and so well I rarely get an OOF shot. The more expensive Canon bodies may autofocus better but I doubt you will be buying one that expensive for your first DSLR. Ultimately it was trying the Sony out in the store that sold me on it. It is so ergonomic and so customizable. You really should try out several models to see which one really fits you. You might be surprised. Bring on the thumbs down. I know you just can't help it.

Answer 12

I have a Nikon D50 & D200 and have used my friends Canon Rebel XT. I like all of them, and they all take excellent pictures. The D200 is complicated in some ways. My suggestion would be to go to the store and hold them, look through the viewfinder and see which one "grabs" you. The whole "Nikon vs Canon" thing is usually not propagated by practicing photographers, but by electronics geeks who like to buy "neat" things every two weeks like the good little consumers they are. There is no superior choice in the long run because both companies have been around for ages and most likely will be for the foreseeable future.



(I will say I hate Canon's white lenses as they are just so annoying after those ads they ran saying "a sea of white lenses" which featured models who are obviously not photographers)

Answer 13

There's no difference in the images.



The lens selection is equal for both brands.



Canon has had an edge in pro cameras because they were first with full-frame sensors.



Now Nikon has the D3 so it will even up.



Some people like the way Canon does things, and some like the way Nikon does things.



That's basically it.



HTH

V2K1