I am not asking this to create a peeing contest so please don't create one if possible.
I have a Canon 20D that I purchased a few days after it became available. I have been pleased with it. I am going to soon buy a new camera so I had some questions about one versus the other.
What are the pros and cons of the Canon system and the Nikon system. Is one better than the other if so what situation do they lend themselves to.
How does the saturation and color contrast compare? I would like a run down of the specs between both. If there is a website that has this information I dont mind spending the time to research it myself, just point me to it.
I know the highest priced cameras are most of the time better but I am looking something in the range of the the 8 to 12 MP models.
I have also posted this in other forums to get a over all idea in different markets so if you see it else where diregard.
I sell these camera on a daily basis where I work...depending on the type of body you get, I usually tell people that both companies are absolutely great...and that really is my honest opinion on both of them. I had a 20D stolen from me along with a 24-70 back in January, So I gave the D300 a shot, along with their 24-70 as well. While I fell in love with Nikon's focusing system and a lot of other great features the D300 had, I sold it and stayed with the canon system I have. Is it a bad camera...far from it...Is canon better, some things are great some things could use some improvement. For me it was just back to the basics. I got so used to the canon controls and ergonomics I just felt comfy with staying with them. Now there are some things that each of the companies have that the other just doesn't have. such as the lens lineup that canon has, I think in the future if Nikon continues to do a great job with their bodies especially their higher end bodies and also keep coming out with new lenses in a variety of focal lengths. they will gain a big share of the market, which is great for them. competition is always...ALWAYS welcome, it changes the game dramatically across the board with all manufactures. there are a lot of opinions about canon's focusing system, yes on paper some bodies seem and are superior, in real life shooting, they are both fantastic systems. there is always going to be fanboys that favor each side. pick a system depending on your needs and your particular budget. do your research, and the most important thing...ENJOY your equipment and instead of pixel peeping and complaining about the small things like I see here all the time in the gear forums...just go out and take photos and improve on your techniques!
mdaddyrabbit wrote:
I am not asking this to create a peeing contest so please don't create one if possible. I have a Canon 20D that I purchased a few days after it became available. I have been pleased with it. I am going to soon buy a new camera so I had some questions about one versus the other. What are the pros and cons of the Canon system and the Nikon system. Is one better than the other if so what situation do they lend themselves to. How does the saturation and color contrast compare? I would like a run down of the specs between both. If there is a website that has this information I dont mind spending the time to research it myself, just point me to it. I know the highest priced cameras are most of the time better but I am looking something in the range of the the 8 to 12 MP models. I have also posted this in other forums to get a over all idea in different markets so if you see it else where diregard.
Developing your skills and technique will matter much, much more than which camera brand you purchase. They are both excellent, and both have an excellent compliment of lenses.
Sean Reid of www.reidreviews.com has been a Canon user for quite some time (among other cameras, including the Leica M8). He recently reviewed the new Nikon D700 and considers it the best of that breed at the moment. You'll need to pay an annual fee to access his very thorough and comprehensive reviews, but I find it worth it. He's an excellent writer and a very good photographer. He's also guest-reviewed for Luminous-Landscape. He's reviewed both Canon and Nikon platforms and has interesting things to say about each.
I've shot with both platforns myself, including the Canon 1Ds, 1Ds II, Canon 5D and Nikon D2x. I shoot only Canon now, the 5D. As much as I liked my Nikon, I had to settle down to one system and found the Canon more forgiving and also a bit easier to use, handle and extract more "keepers" from.
In the end, though, either platform is going to give you very good to excellent results depending on your skill level, choice of subject matter and choice of lenses.
Since 8 to 12MP is all you seem to need or want, I'd recommend the following:
• Keep your 20D and invest in better lenses
• Canon 40D, 10MP
• Canon 1D Mark II N (used), 8MP
• Canon 5D (new or used), 12MP
• Canon 1Ds (used), 11MP
• Canon 450D/xsi (new), 12MP (a GREAT camera!)
• Nikon D200 (used), 10MP
• Nikon D300 (new), 12MP
• Nikon D2x (used), 12MP
I have been a Canon user my entire life, but resently got a chance to use a Niko D300. I was impressed with the focusing speed, but will stick with my Canons thank you very much.
In the end it's just like "do you like Ford or Chevy"? It's just a personal choice kind of thing for most people. Honestly I think it has more to do with the companies marketing than anything else.
I used Canon film SLRs for nearly 30 years. I got out of photography about 14 years ago and just got re-interested in it last year. I bought a Canon S3IS and it took great pictures but the menu system drove me nuts. It just wasn't intuitive for me.
When I decided to get a DSLR I went with a Nikon D60. I liked the ergonomics better than the Canon DSLRs that it tried and the menu system worked great for me, much more intuitive. As to image quality, I think it's a tie, neither one is better or worse than the other one. One company may lead for a time but the other one soon catches up. Nikon has always been recognized for great glass and their current lenses uphold that tradition. But the Canon L glass is great also. So pick what works best for you, in the end that's what counts anyway.
mdaddyrabbit wrote:
I know the highest priced cameras are most of the time better but I am looking something in the range of the the 8 to 12 MP models.
.
Most of the highest priced cameras are in that range.
We can't answer this question for you. You have to try them and decide for yourself. I've tried the D700 for example and would say it's definitely better than the Canon consumer/prosumer level cameras, but it's not nearly as good as the 1 Series I now use. I tried the D300 and didn't like it at all. I prefer Canon's ergonomics, and lenses (Nikon doesn't have anything like Canon's L primes, but does have some nice zooms). I don't like the button clutter on the Nikons, love the clean layout of the Canon 1 Series.
On the other hand there are people out there who feel the exact opposite. You can take great pictures with both if you are talented, but to find the system that fits YOU best, you must try them both yourself.
Now there are some things that each of the companies have that the other just doesn't have. such as the lens lineup that canon has, I think in the future if Nikon continues to do a great job with their bodies especially their higher end bodies and also keep coming out with new lenses in a variety of focal lengths. they will gain a big share of the market, which is great for them. competition is always...ALWAYS welcome, it changes the game dramatically across the board with all manufactures. there are a lot of opinions about canon's focusing system, yes on paper some bodies seem and are superior, in real life shooting, they are both fantastic systems. there is always going to be fanboys that favor each side. pick a system depending on your needs and your particular budget. do your research, and the most important thing...ENJOY your equipment and instead of pixel peeping and complaining about the small things like I see here all the time in the gear forums...just go out and take photos and improve on your techniques!