Canon vs Nikon

Location : Naaarwich Spotter Watch Member : No

Hi all,

Just a quick question. I'm looking into getting a DSLR and have been looking at the various value bundles on the Jessops website (which come with tamron 300mm lenses). The two that stick out are the Nikon D60 and the Canon EOS450d. I used to use my ex's 400d which I found pretty easy to use and thought the 450d would simply be a different digit, is this the case? In peoples opinions, which would be the better/easier one to get to grips with?

Cheers in advance for any pearls of wisdom!!

Robin

Location : South Yorkshire

I was in your position at the begining of August when Nikon were giving £60 cashback on their D60 model, but I too was torn between the Nikon and Canon. A friend of mine had just bought the 400D, so i went out to look at both manufacturers efforts.

I ended up going with the D60 with the 70-300 lense. After a swap with my friends camera for a few snaps etc, i prefered the Nikon overall. Found it easier to use and it felt more comfortable in my hand.

The lense is budget however, it lacks sharpness in my opinion, so thats next on my shopping list.

Hope this helps slightly! :)
If you want to see some photos i have taken with the D60 and tamron lense, PM me :)

Joe

Location : Henlow, Beds

The 450D has a different interface to the 400D and a larger screen to display it on. As well as being 12mp rather that 10mp the other main difference is it uses SD cards rather than CF cards. AF / metering etc. are much the same.

Is it better than the Nikon D60 - no idea to be honest. At this present moment in time the Nikon camera range does seem to have a slight edge on the Canon one IMHO (and I'm a Canon user).

My advice would be get yourself down to Jessops and try them both out in your hand to see which interface / grip etc. you like. I'd then hit the net (try this for starters http://www.camerapricebuster.com/ ) as Jessops are not the cheapest place on earth.

Moderator Location : In a layby

Viper's advice about going to a shop and trying them out is probably the best advice anyone can give you, only you will know what feels right. There is a few points I will make though:

As mentioned the 450d use's sd memory cards...so if at a later date you were to switch to a more professional camera like the 40 or 50d it would mean buying memory cards again.

Secondly although not as important, if you decide to change lenses at a later date there are alot more Canon lenses available secondhand than Nikon. Not really a big deal but worth bearing in mind.

Location : Cleveland Spotter Watch Member : No

It's always difficult to give an unbiased opion if you haven't owned both makes of Camera.
Having only ever owned Canon SLR/DSLR's my vote would be for Canon, but the best advise has already been given and thats to go to your local camera shop and handle the camera's you are interested in.
Also this site is worth a look at as it lets you compare camera's side by side so you can see the differences between each one.
dpreview

As for Lenses always go for the best you can afford, there is no point in buying a decend DSLR then putting cheap glass on the front of it.

Colin

Location : N E Jockistan Spotter Watch Member : No

There is no right or wrong answer to this question as both cameras are excellent. I have been a Canon user since 1981, but my advice to you would be to have good look at both, handle both, look at images from both and only them start to form an opinion.

If you used and liked the EOS 400D I am pretty sure you will like the 450D which is a considerable improvement, but I would venture that you need to evaluate the Nikon alternative even if only to satisfy yourself that you still prefer Canon.
A major caveat is that any camera no matter how good, is only as good as the lens used with it. Buy an inferior lens and your photography will suffer, therefore look very carefully at any deal or bundle which appears good value on the face of it because of a brand named lens at the budget end of the range. If you can stretch a few extra pounds, try to go slightly up market in terms of lenses.

Location : Naaarwich Spotter Watch Member : No

Hi guys,

Cheers for all the replies there. Well I've got plenty to think about over the next few weeks, I'll have to get myself into the city in the next week or so and start doing some looking around as I ideally want one for the 29th up at 'the heath' for the recommencement of activities (and the highlight of my xmas hols!! :P )

Many thanks again,

Robin

Location : Colchester

I bought my first DSLR (Canon 400D) back in January, from Warehouse Express (They were good to deal with) but to be honest, it could have been any of the manufacturers, the only reason I plumped for Canon is because I had seen aviation pics from a few Canon users, and figured there would be a ready made userbase from which to ask questions if I needed to, however, time has shown that Nikon is just as widely used as Canon, there really is nothing in it, as has been said, go to a shop and have a feel, that will really be the only way for you to decide.

Location : 'On Task'

It seems that most newspaper photographers use Nikon but if you look at any sporting event, Canon equipment is everywhere. Anybody who spends a fortune on long, fast lenses can pick and choose from anything in the world but most go for Canon. I'm for Canon.

Admin Location : Bristol, UK

Paveway wrote:: but if you look at any sporting event, Canon equipment is everywhere.

I think with the introduction of Nikons FX range the D3, D3x and D700 that will all change soon. Alot of the 'pros' are going to Nikon at the moment, they've definitely stole the market from Canon and the 1D III IMO.

Not only that; the D90, D300 and D700 releases have also made an impact.

To be honest, for amature photography the Canon vs Nikon argument is pointless and is one that will never be settled. Which ever feels best for you and is the easiest for you to understand is the one you should go for.

Mike

Location : Henlow, Beds

Nikon's move to CMOS sensors (the same technology as Canon have always used) has done them no harm at all. Nikon Professional Services have also been very agressive in the "buy back" deals they have been doing of Canon equipment for professionals switching to the D3. Canon also shot themselves in the foot with the inital problems with the 1D3.

As I said earlier, from the shots, reviews and specifications I've seen Nikon currently have a better camera line up. But with Camera generations cycling about every 18-24 months it will not be long before Canon match / exceed them.

For the average joe however, chasing the latest body is pointless because the invesment is all in the lens, so in the context of this topic, once your choose, you are probably stuck with it for life.

Location : Oxfordshire Spotter Watch Member : no

As a number of people have already said there is not a lot between them i was not sure whether to go for Nikon or Canon when i got my first dslr so i went to the local T4 and tried them both put on battery grips and had a play. The end result was a Canon because it just felt right and i have never regretted it.