Canon's Digi RBL XT vs. Nikon's D50

[MikeKS]

So i am new to the DSLR market, however i have done some beginer Studio photograph as well as owned a 35mm SLR.

I am planning on purchasing a DSLR, I have been doing some research and i am narrowing my choices down to the Canon Digital Rebel XT 350d or the Nikon D50.

Now i have done some research and believe that the Canon does have better features and has better photo quality than the D50. This would be expected with a good price difference between the two. With my current budget it would be a lot easier to purchase the D50, but i am wondering if in the long run i will regret not getting the 350d. Is the 350D worth saving the extra couple hundred for in features and picture quality?

I just don't want to regret a D50 purchase once i get comfortable with the camera and think that i should have made a 350D purchase.

Thanks for any advice
-Mike

[coldrain]

Both are very nice cameras. The 350D is more complete, yes. It has mirror lock up, to avoid mirror snapping open vibration while taking long exposure photos, for instance at night. It has aperture check, you can close the aperture to check the depth of field before you make a photo. It has ISO100. It has good RAW conversion software with it, Nikon wants an extra 100$ for their good RAW conversion software. It has a sharpness depth automatic mode. It lights its info LCD at night. Its white balance is better adjustable.
The D50 can have a slight tendency for moire with certain patterns. The 350D has a slight resolution advantage (8mp), the D50 applies more sharpning to make up for that.

The D50 feels more sturdy. The D50 is a bit more reliable with AF with certain lenses. Both have good, accurate colours, and both like to slightly over expose. If you can not make up your mind, go see them and some lenses in person.

[coldrain]

Oh, a big plus of the Nikon D50 is.... that it has a less silly name!
In Europe the Canon Digital Rebel XT is called Canon EOS 350D, a normal, fine name. Why did Canon US feel the need to introduce silly names for their lower end SLR's like "Rebel" and "Elan"?

But it could always be worse... like Canon Kiss n Digital (its name in Asia).
:D
Or Pentax *istDS for that matter ;). Imagine trying to get that out of your mouth when they ask you what camera you have :eek:

[George Riehm]

So i am new to the DSLR market, however i have done some beginer Studio photograph as well as owned a 35mm SLR.

I am planning on purchasing a DSLR, I have been doing some research and i am narrowing my choices down to the Canon Digital Rebel XT 350d or the Nikon D50.

Now i have done some research and believe that the Canon does have better features and has better photo quality than the D50. This would be expected with a good price difference between the two. With my current budget it would be a lot easier to purchase the D50, but i am wondering if in the long run i will regret not getting the 350d. Is the 350D worth saving the extra couple hundred for in features and picture quality?

I just don't want to regret a D50 purchase once i get comfortable with the camera and think that i should have made a 350D purchase.

Thanks for any advice
-Mike

If you can handle (pun intended) the ergonomics of the 350D it will produce great photos at a fairly decent price. Like Nikon the 18-55 kit lens leaves a lot to be desired, and the biggest difference you will get in picture quality is lens based rather than camera based. The resolution difference is is debateable, but the 350D is 8MP and the 50D is 6MP. Printed, it is not likely you will see much difference between the two.

As coldrain pointed out Nikon omitted the depth of field preview (which most people don't use anyway) and the info LCD backlight (this omission was rather goofy, but I digress). For the difference in price carry a penlight.

The D50 is a very good entry dSLR, that will give the average family photographer some great results, and allows you to grow into a serious hobby.
Had Canon spent a little more time on ergonomics it would make this decision a lot easier... as it is an arguably better camera, at a higher price.

You might want to revisit the Minolta 5D and the Pentax *istDS as well.

You really can't make a bad decision here, so go with the camera you like.

[MikeKS]

Oh geez... I'm such a dolt.... i just saw the "What camera i should buy" thread right below this one. Sorry bout that guys

Coldrain and George Thanks much for your replys. I think i'm going check out some of these camera in person at the stores myself.. maybe then i can make a decision.

Coldrain i do have to agree with you about the names... i mean how the hell do you phonetically pronounce *istDS to someone?

[George Riehm]

Oh geez... I'm such a dolt.... i just saw the "What camera i should buy" thread right below this one. Sorry bout that guys

Coldrain and George Thanks much for your replys. I think i'm going check out some of these camera in person at the stores myself.. maybe then i can make a decision.

Coldrain i do have to agree with you about the names... i mean how the hell do you phonetically pronounce *istDS to someone?

- In person is the only way to go, as how the camera feels and your control preferences are also a big factor.

- You're welcome and hope it helps.

- It helps to speak German... Ist das korrekt? Having a camera named "is" may be a little strange. I wonder how well these sell in Germany? Not shure where the askerisk fits in.

[arctic_hawk2003]

I had the same problem of which camera. After reading many posts here, & many visits to the local shop, I bought the Nikon D50 with the Sigma lens.
Very Happy!
:D

[Jason25]

Look into the lenses before buying either camera as well. The body will be replaced anyway eventually, the lenses will be around for awhile. If you shoot flash a lot (guessing you do, if you do studio work), look into each company's flash system as well.

[acgirotto]

D50 last week and love it! Of course I'm just taking photos of my 9 month old, but they are sooooooo much better than my old point and shoot. Good luck!
Carol

[coldrain]

Like I said before, both are good cameras.I would choose the 350D again, if I started over. One weird thing I have noticed from these boards, a number of D50 owners have strange pink showing up on (very few) photos, in very different situations. Have the other D50 owners here seen any unusual colours or spots?

[timmciglobal]

Let's not forget D50 has a few big benefits including superior flash technology, auto ISO (which is just a fantastic feature canon needs to put in) and as mentioned the LED based AF assist.

It's a tossup really, canon probably comes out on top but not by much depends on what lenses you want and how far you want to go.

Tim

[Jason25]

Let's not forget D50 has a few big benefits including superior flash technology, auto ISO (which is just a fantastic feature canon needs to put in) and as mentioned the LED based AF assist.

It's a tossup really, canon probably comes out on top but not by much depends on what lenses you want and how far you want to go.

Tim
Auto ISO is a very nice feature :) I use it all the time for snapshots. Canon could easily implement this feature also, since their cameras are good at high ISO as well.

[cdifoto]

I wish my XT had Auto ISO as well but I wouldn't give it up just for that feature. It'd just be nice to have. In the meantime I can change ISO myself.

[timmciglobal]

You can change ISO true, but you'd be amazed how much it helps (especially in that the auto ISO can step in very small incriments instead of "800 or 1600" you can get ISO 1000 or ISO 1120 etc)

A 8 megapixel version of D50 with a lit LCD and it would be perfect. That being said, there is an advantage nikon has in some consumer lens quality, though canon holds the edge in L glass.

Tim

[jeisner]

Agreed regarding the auto iso, before the *ist DS V2 firmware I didn't think I needed (or would use it), but now I would hate to be without it...

[George Riehm]

Agreed regarding the auto iso, before the *ist DS V2 firmware I didn't think I needed (or would use it), but now I would hate to be without it...

So, jeisner... Have you looked at the new Samsung dSLR? Pentax mount. But the better news is the Schneider Kreuznach D-Xenon lens system is part of the package. Seems to me that it should be cross platform since Pentax is in on the deal.

Looks pretty interesting.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0601/06011602samsunggx1s.asp

[MikeKS]

Are you able to manually step down the iso in small increments without the "auto iso" function, or is that an "auto" only perk?

thanks for the replys ^^
~mike

[timmciglobal]

It's auto only, the ISO stops in 2/4/8/1600.

Tim

[jeisner]

So, jeisner... Have you looked at the new Samsung dSLR? Pentax mount. But the better news is the Schneider Kreuznach D-Xenon lens system is part of the package. Seems to me that it should be cross platform since Pentax is in on the deal.

Looks pretty interesting.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0601/06011602samsunggx1s.asp

Hey George its all very unexciting at this point... :-/

The camera is a rebadged Pentax *ist DS2 and the two lenses are actually rebadged Pentax DA lenses... I can't believe Schneider did that, it seems stupid but they are definately Pentax lenses. I am hoping that Schneider do continue to develop 'their own' new lenses for Samsung/Pentax though, I am pretty happy with my Penatx glass, but more choice is never a bad thing...

The mount is a standard Pentax KAF mount and so the lenses are interchangable between Samsung and Pentax... That was what Samsung wanted, an existing mount as starting from scratch would have been crazy.. And I think Pentax needs to cut reliance on Sony, and hopefully Samsung R&D can develop some decent sensors..

Samsung did announce in October they were joining with Pentax and would re-release a pentax model under their own brand in 2006 (GX-1S)... They also said they would release two new jointly devloped cameras with pentax in 2006... One is an updated low end (DS/DL) and the other is a sub-US$1700 semi-pro... I assume that is the D replacement??? There is also strong rumours that the two new Pentax/Samsung cameras will have SR (Shake reduction) at the sensor level...

So this year seems rather exciting, despite this first anti-climax...

P.S. I should be getting a sample of the new Samsung GX-1S through work, so I can compare it to my DS and see if there is any difference at all. But looking at the specs I doubt it (other than 2" vs/ 2.5" LCD)

[aparmley]

I am going to say that between the two its a toss-up at best. The D50 or 350D, flip a coin. but before it lands, just as many wise people here said, analyze each manufactures lens availabilities and prices and also their respective flash systems. once you have that knowledge you'll decide which camera to assign heads or tails. ;)

Depending on which lenses are used with either camera are the most important decisions. You will spend more time with this than the decision on the camera body. Just as it was mentioned before that your lenses will, hopefully, carry you through many different bodies in the future and to be honest, there is no substitute here for quality. I found that Canon's lens lineup appealled more to me than Nikon's. Ofcourse at the time that could have been inexperience. Whatever the case is either system will prove to be extremely useful and you will really enjoy it. As many wise people said to me when I was where you are, just make a choice and start taking pictures, you can't go wrong [but there will always be plenty of people to tell you otherwise.] - probably not here though. Good luck Mike with your choice. Alot of good wisdom and unbaised opinion heres for you.

[cdifoto]

You could always put both bodies on the glass counter at the camera store, blindfold yourself, and eeny meeny miny moe your way into your new dSLR system...

:D

[aparmley]

You could always put both bodies on the glass counter at the camera store, blindfold yourself, and eeny meeny miny moe your way into your new dSLR system...

:D

Do you have to make fun of my highly technical extremely detailed method of choosing my gear. . .

Punk! :mad:

:D

LMAO - thats very scientific approach, one used around the world, its universal actually.

[George Riehm]

Hey George its all very unexciting at this point... :-/

The camera is a rebadged Pentax *ist DS2 and the two lenses are actually rebadged Pentax DA lenses... I can't believe Schneider did that, it seems stupid but they are definately Pentax lenses. I am hoping that Schneider do continue to develop 'their own' new lenses for Samsung/Pentax though, I am pretty happy with my Penatx glass, but more choice is never a bad thing...

The mount is a standard Pentax KAF mount and so the lenses are interchangable between Samsung and Pentax... That was what Samsung wanted, an existing mount as starting from scratch would have been crazy.. And I think Pentax needs to cut reliance on Sony, and hopefully Samsung R&D can develop some decent sensors..

Samsung did announce in October they were joining with Pentax and would re-release a pentax model under their own brand in 2006 (GX-1S)... They also said they would release two new jointly devloped cameras with pentax in 2006... One is an updated low end (DS/DL) and the other is a sub-US$1700 semi-pro... I assume that is the D replacement??? There is also strong rumours that the two new Pentax/Samsung cameras will have SR (Shake reduction) at the sensor level...

So this year seems rather exciting, despite this first anti-climax...

P.S. I should be getting a sample of the new Samsung GX-1S through work, so I can compare it to my DS and see if there is any difference at all. But looking at the specs I doubt it (other than 2" vs/ 2.5" LCD)

I'm thinking that maybe they are warming up for a KM-Sony arrangement. Samsung has a lot of bucks, and it's no secret that they consider themselves to be the Sony (only better) of Korea.

It will definately be interesting to see who they will source for dSLR sensors... maybe Samsung already has one of their own. If I remember correctly, they already make 2MP, 5MP and 7.2MP CMOS imagers (not sure what form factor). So maybe it's not that big of a stretch.

[jeisner]

I'm thinking that maybe they are warming up for a KM-Sony arrangement. Samsung has a lot of bucks, and it's no secret that they consider themselves to be the Sony (only better) of Korea.

It will definately be interesting to see who they will source for dSLR sensors... maybe Samsung already has one of their own. If I remember correctly, they already make 2MP, 5MP and 7.2MP CMOS imagers (not sure what form factor). So maybe it's not that big of a stretch.

Yes, they make smaller digicam sensors already, time will tell if they can apply this to larger format sensors...

To be honest I think Penatx as we knew them are gone (not yet but soon enough), they may not get bought out though... My prediction (take it with a grain of salt) is Samsung will pretty much take over APS-C DSLR production/distribution, using Pentax technology (ie shutter/AF systems/SR etc.).. Then Pentax can continue to make lenses (optics is the only profitable part for them, they are an optics company not an electronics company) and chase their MF digital 645D dream...

[Hangman]

I vote for the 350D or aka Rebel Xt .
I purchased mine as a newbie to dSLR and have had no regrets ..as most people here have mentioned look at the lenses and such ..the Canon always seems to rise to the top. If you had the extra dough I'd say go for the 20D.

Good luck!
Hangman

Life is too short too drink bad coffee! ;)

[George Riehm]

Yes, they make smaller digicam sensors already, time will tell if they can apply this to larger format sensors...

To be honest I think Penatx as we knew them are gone (not yet but soon enough), they may not get bought out though... My prediction (take it with a grain of salt) is Samsung will pretty much take over APS-C DSLR production/distribution, using Pentax technology (ie shutter/AF systems/SR etc.).. Then Pentax can continue to make lenses (optics is the only profitable part for them, they are an optics company not an electronics company) and chase their MF digital 645D dream...

Ya gotta love the 645. I would still like to buy the AF version... but it's a money thing.;)

[jeisner]

Well they have said the 645 digital will be relesed this year, so hopefully we see the final design (and a price suggestion) at this years PMA.... I think it will be WAY out of my league though....

[George Riehm]

Well they have said the 645 digital will be relesed this year, so hopefully we see the final design (and a price suggestion) at this years PMA.... I think it will be WAY out of my league though....

With medium format backs starting at around $18,000... it might be a while for me as well. There's always the Powerball...

[cdifoto]

With medium format backs starting at around $18,000... it might be a while for me as well. There's always the Powerball...

You don't REALLY need 2 kidneys...:eek: :D

[George Riehm]

You don't REALLY need 2 kidneys...:eek: :D

Good point. What's a kidney go for these days...

[MikeKS]

I wanna thank everyone for their opinions of what camera to buy. Unfortunately due to some recent financial issues that have come up... i wont be purchasing the 350D that i had decided on :( :(

OH and Rofl @ You could always put both bodies on the glass counter at the camera store, blindfold yourself, and eeny meeny miny moe your way into your new dSLR system...

[George Riehm]

I wanna thank everyone for their opinions of what camera to buy. Unfortunately due to some recent financial issues that have come up... i wont be purchasing the 350D that i had decided on :( :(

OH and Rofl @

Bummer. Hang in there. The prices aren't likely to go up.;)