Canon or Nikon ?

[HelloKitty]

I am decided between the following 3. Which would you recommend for someone who wants a high resolution camera for every day photos?... Does one stand out more ?.. My main concern is the quality of the images...

1. Canon EOS 400D / Digital Rebel XTi (EOS Digital Rebel Xti)
2. Nikon D80
3. Nikon D200

Thank you

[coldrain]

There will be hardly any difference between the D80 and D200 concerning image quality. The D80 uses more in camera processing, and if you do not shoot RAW it will have nicer out of camera results. Also the D80 is a lot easier to use, the D200 is a complex camera and you will need to read a lot and study it.

Unless you need 5 frames per second and a rain sealed camera, there is no reason to consider the D200 for you.

The XTi seems to perform a bit better in higher ISO than the sensor used in the D80/D200. I personally (not everyone seems to nitics this??) do not like the coarse results the sensor in the Nikons can give.

But... all three cameras are very capable. My choice would be the XTi, but many Nikon users will prefer the D80 I am sure.

What is your budget, and what are your ideas of what you want to photograph and what kind of lenses you would want?

[RichNY]

I went thru that comparison a month ago and let me share some of my findings:

1. The Canon is a physically small camera. For many people, myself included, it was the least comfortable to hold and shoot. It was off my list real quickly due to ergonomics. Your hand size might be much smaller so the only way to tell is to pick it up and hold it and then do the same with the D80. In my opinion the D80 and D200 were FAR more comfortable for me.

2. The D80. I'd probably pick this camera. It 90% of what the D200 offers at $999 vs. $1699. Very comfortable, great build quality. The camera is more amateur friendly with features like scene modes (day, sports, etc.) for those who have not yet learned to set aperature/shutter speed for themselves. It also offers the ability to hookup to a tv and playback your photos as a slideshow w/music.

3. The D200 is the most technically advanced of the cameras. It offers 5fps shooting v. 3fps that the D80 offers so if you are doing a lot of sports photography this will be a worthwhile feature.

The D200 has a better built and more rugged magnesium body. This is not to say the D80 isn't well built but there is a definate difference here. The D200 is also weather sealed so if you'll be out shooting in the rain or exposing your camera alot to the elements, or subjecting your camera to the type of abuse pros do then it may be the way to go.

The maximum shutter speed for the D200 is 1/8000 of a sec v. 1/4000 for the D80. The D200 lets you view the ISO in the viewfinder and has slightly better control layout. The D200 buffer is 37 frames jpg v. 22 for the D80.

The D200 is larger and heavier than the D80. I prefer the size weight of the D80 but I like the textured feel of the D200 grip better, although I prefer the way $700 feels in my hand to the way the grip felt :)

The D200 and the D80 share the same great user interface but in my opinion the D200 is more challenging to learn because there are so many more setup options available and while the interface for selecting an option is simple, one really needs to understand quite a bit more to know what options should be chosen for particular reasons.

* My opinion is that you should spend some time holding the Rebel XTi and verify for yourself if it just feels too small for you like it does for so many other people.

Purchase the D80 and save the extra $700. Buying a D200 won't take better pictures; using that $700 on better quality or an additional lens will. The conclusion I came to for myself when eliminating the D200 (which I really wanted) was the realization that by the time I was knowlegeable enough to understand the extra configuration options/choices the the D200 offered, if I even needed them, the D300/D400 would be on the market and I'd be better off spending that $700 I saved up front to upgrade to the latest and greatest rather than having it sit 'unused' in a D200 at my skill level.

Good luck, you're fortunate to be getting to own any of these cameras- it is just a choice of which is the most appropriate for you.

*The D80s were just released and most stores have waiting lists to get them. I was the first to order one at my local camera store and it came in yesterday. I've since decided to purchase the EOS 30D and the camera is being held for me until next week. I'm under no obligation to get it but if decide that it is the right camera for you please leave me a message on the board or PM me and I can have them ship it to you w/o having to wait rather than selling it to another local customer.

[coldrain]

I actually LIKE the small size of my EOS 350D(XT), and like how it feels in my hand more than the D70s/D50/*istDL. It gives my hand more freedom, and less fake "ergonomic grip" feel (how can it be ergonomic when everyone has different hands anyway). And no, I do not have small hands, and I have long fingers.

It is a miracle that before Canon introduced the first DSLR with a formed grip like this people were able to make great photos :p.

I'd choose the XTi over the D80 because of image quality and the lens lineup. And compactness, I just throw in into my backpack all the time, and then the size is an important factor.

[XaiLo]

I've since decided to purchase the EOS 30D and the camera is being held for me until next week. I'm under no obligation to get it but if decide that it is the right camera for you please leave me a message on the board or PM me and I can have them ship it to you w/o having to wait rather than selling it to another local customer.


RichNY why is it you decided to go with the 30D instead?

[RichNY]

RichNY why is it you decided to go with the 30D instead?

I got tired of hearing Coldrain complain about the Nikon;)

The real reason is that the D80 is selling at retail $999, the 30D is being sold at a discounted price of $1165. For the extra $165 I got a better build quality (better than the D80 but not as good as the D200 IMO), 5fps v. 3fps if I should shoot sports, and the ability to shoot at high ISO with less noise.

There's still a part of me that really would like the Nikon because of its ergonomics and superior lighting system. If both were selling at retail (or equally discounted) I would have gone with the Nikon.

[HelloKitty]

So I guess it will either be the Canon EOS 400D or Nikon D80. I didn't realize the other Nikon was a substancial amount higher in price. i would like to stay around $1000.00. Like I said, my main concern is clear images. I want something that is good for night shots/low light as well. I take photos all the time. At friends weddings, at my nephews soccer game, etc... so having the set function on the D80 sounds good. I want an SLR because the quality is supposed to be better, however I don't know how to use one so maybe having a camera that is set up for certain shots might be better. I also want something to travel with. . I am a small woman so my hands aren't very large, but don't mind carrying around a large camera if the shots are better. . .

[RichNY]

So I guess it will either be the Canon EOS 400D or Nikon D80. I didn't realize the other Nikon was a substancial amount higher in price. i would like to stay around $1000.00. Like I said, my main concern is clear images. I want something that is good for night shots/low light as well. I take photos all the time. At friends weddings, at my nephews soccer game, etc... so having the set function on the D80 sounds good. I want an SLR because the quality is supposed to be better, however I don't know how to use one so maybe having a camera that is set up for certain shots might be better. I also want something to travel with. . I am a small woman so my hands aren't very large, but don't mind carrying around a large camera if the shots are better. . .

Clear images, low light, sports photography- You are describing the lens(es) you need, not the camera.
I'd consider one of three approaches:

1.) A good 12x digicam like the Canon S3IS for $365. Look at the pictures taken with this camera http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21728

You'd even have lots of budget left over for a wide angle and/or telephoto converter to go with this if you desired. Unless you are blowing your prints up large or comparing them side by side with a DSLR and megabucks lens, you aren't going to be unhappy with the print quality as you see from the link.

* The biggest downside to a digicam v. DSLR in my opinion is shutter lag. Not a problem for scenic or portrait shooting, but it makes framing a moving subject more challenging.

You are not going to be able to come close to getting the focal range of this camera near your budget if you go with a DSLR

2.) Canon Rebel XTi w/decent glass (good for a smaller hands)

3.) Nikon D50 w/decent glass (good for smaller hands)


The D80 uses up your entire $1000 budget. You'll be walking around taking pictures with just a camera body, although it does cut down on the weight :)

[coldrain]

Both the EOS 400D and D80 are quite compact. The EOS 400D is the most compact and lightest of the two.

The EOS 400D has arguably the better image quality, especially in higher ISO settings. This makes it a bit better in low light / night photos, where it will be bit less noisy both in lower ISO long exposure shots and in high ISO shorter exposure shots.

Both cameras are good though.

Ultimately the image quality is mostly up to you and the lenses you choose.

Since you seem to want the best possible image quality, you should also get good lenses, and not just an all in one 18-200 or something like that.

I don't know your budget... but with 1000$ you will only get a 18-55 kit lens with either camera, and that will not get you close with your nephew's soccer. So, is 1000$ your entire budget?

[RichNY]

And let's not forget that the price of memory is going to be eating up part of that budget :(

Kitty- Beware of Coldrain. I came to this board just looking for a D80 with an 18-200 lens and after 30 days he's got me up to a $7500 budget! But then again, he does know his stuff :)

[HelloKitty]

Well, I would like to spend around $1000 but I am not set on that... I dont really want to spend $2000 but somewhere inbetween is ok. I am concerned about image quality but the reason I wanted to go with a 10 mp camera is because I do want to blow the photos up. i took some great shots up north of some beautiful lily pads with flowers and couldnt make them too big with my 5 mp point and shoot... I want to have this option.. always!

[RebelRat]

I think $1,000 will just get you the 400D body in Canada. You will need a decent lens or two. I suggest budget lens like EF 28-105 F3.5-4.5 USM mkII and the ever popular EF 50 F1.8 mkII. These two get good results on a budget. The only thing is @ 28mm it would be hard to take landscape shots, it isn't wide enough for landscape.

[coldrain]

How big did you try to print till the 5mp was not enough anymore?
5mp is big enough for quite big prints.

You have to realize that it will cost you more than just 1000$ (canadian even?) to buy a DSLR like the XTi and do what you want to do with it. They are expenisive toys. You want a telelens which will focus fast for outdoor soccer I think? That means a Canon lens like (absolute bottom) a 75-300 USM. If you want better quality you will be looking at 70-300 IS USM for under 600USD, or a 70-200 f4 L for around 600USD.

For close up photo shots you need a macro lens. Cheapest is the Sigma 50mm f2.8 DG, good lens though. Around 250USD?

Then you need at least also the kitlens to cover the wider range. Or a better lens or even two better lenses for 70mm and down.