HELP!!! - I'm ready to purchase a digital camera and would like some opinions as to which is the best choice between the Canon Digital Rebel XTi, Canon EOS 30D, or Nikon D-80? The 30D may be a cut above the other two, but it costs a couple hundred more, so it's no surprise. Most people would not include the 30D in a comparison between the other two cameras. Since you added it, though, here's a page showing your three plus the Nikon D200, which is often compared to the Canon 30D. Check out this comparison page. Click on "In-depth review" and "Read Owner Opinions" for each camera. Be sure to note that the reviews are many pages long so you don't stop after page one. Check the sample images, also. You can enlarge these to full size images if you click on the file name shown below the picture. You will have to then put your cursor in the white space to the right of the picture and click once. After that, you can pass your cursor over the image and it will turn into a magnifier. Click it as a magnifier once and the image will go to full size and you can really examine the detail or look for artifacts like purple fringing around items in high contrast photos or noise in darker areas of the picture.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_...
My choice from the four would be the D200, as that's the one I chose for myself. From the 3 you listed, I'd say the order is 30D, D80, XTi. You will have to consider the lens line for the future and decide if you like Nikon lenses or Canon. Both are excellent. You have to go to a camera store and see how each camera feels in your hands.
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.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...
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 review is now available online at:
http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3569/10m...
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/elect...
Here's another comparison of interest:
http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content...
[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. Maybe you have another question about the older photos??? Upload them somewhere and try asking here, also. Report It
if you use flash alot then Nikon has a better system
if you use ISO 1600 or 3200 for indoor no flash things then get a canon
i use a 20d and use ISO 3200 alot for news paper work since no flash is allowed much of the time
also look at what lenses you want to buy with is...canon has more image stabilizer lenses, if your on a budget then Nikon has a 18-200 vr lens that may be your 1 and only lens(its by no means a pro lens but its still better then a point and shoot)
without knowing what you shoot no one can give you a accurate answer, each system has its benefits Nikon and Canon are the two top D-SLR manufacturers. Most pros shooting digital will be using a camera made by one or the other. The huge selection of lenses and accessories is what most attracts pros to these brands. They know they can buy or rent lenses for any kind of photography.
Neither brand is better. They are equal. Asking for an opinion on who is better between Nikon and Canon is like asking for an opinion on religion. Both sides will argue until they are unconscious. The truth is, both Nikon and Canon make fantastic cameras and lenses. It's almost pointless to debate over who is better because the other company will announce something even better next year. You can't lose with either choice.
Whatever camera you choose, it will go out of date eventually. That's the nature of electronics and you can't escape it. Both Nikon and Canon are very competitive and both of them invent new cameras continuously.
What is important for you to consider, however, is the lens and accessory SYSTEM you are buying into. Once you start investing money into lenses, flashes and accessories you will be more and more invested into one brand or the other. Cameras will go out of date in 2 years. Lenses and accessories will last you much longer. Have a look at the lenses, flashes and other gear available from the manufacturers. Think about what you will be interested in doing pictures of and look at the lenses and accessories each company offers to get you there.
Consider the availability of rental lenses and other equipment in your area. Being able to rent a lens for your camera can give you a lots of creative choices without needing to buy expensive lenses.
Finally, what matters the most is picking the camera you most love to use. Features and specification mean nothing if you don't love using the camera. Try equivilant cameras at your local camera store. Maybe rent some for a week to really try them out. Choose the one that makes you want to make thousands of pictures.
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Disclosure: I am the owner of www.lenslenders.com lens rentals in Canada. |
