Learning Curve For the D40x and/or the XTI

[palermo22]

I know this subject has probably been beaten to death so I have tried to do some research prior to logging on here. I have used SLR cameras before but over the past ten years it has been mostly a P&S. We are going to begin traveling in our retirement and I wanted the best of both worlds: a camera that I can quickly take a great shot with without a lot of fiddling around AND one where I can take my time and set it up to give me the ultimate best shot. I don't mind reading a manual or book cover to cover to get over the learning curve but when all is said and done am I looking at the Nikon D40X or the Canon xti? OR is it pretty much a tie and it doesn't matter what I get? I know that if I get the Nikon then I will probably just get the 18-200 vr lens (unless someone has another recommendation).

Thanks for your help

[TheWengler]

I would pick the Canon. It's impossible to make any kind of lens recommendation though without knowing your budget or what you plan to shoot.

[palermo22]

As mentioned, I would use it mostly for travel and I was hoping to get one (all-in-one) lens - like an 18-200 and I was hoping to spend under $1000 (for camera and lens).

[Rooz]

both are easy to use and with a bit of practice you'll be like a duck to water. pick the one that feels better in your hands.

[palermo22]

If lens were then the determining factor and I wanted the best all-in-one lens representing the best value - would that then sway me to one camera over the other?

[TheWengler]

Well you can't get an "all in one" from Canon so you might be stuck with the Sigma if you needed IS. Maybe the Nikon is a better fit for you. All in one lenses don't really handle low light that well, consider adding a flash too. If you leave it up to what feels better in the hand I'm sure the Nikon would win almost all of the time. They're great to hold. Sometimes I just hold them for fun.

[Honest Gaza]

both are easy to use and with a bit of practice you'll be like a duck to water. pick the one that feels better in your hands.

With all due respect Rooz, there are enough differences between these 2 cameras for a decision to be based on more than just how they feel in your hands.

Features that I think have greater relevance include :

Nikon 3AF v Canon 9AF
Nikon requirement for Lenses with own motor drive
Canon has mirror-lock-up
Canon has Depth of Field preview
Nikon has Spot Metering
Canon has Anti-Dust mechanism
Nikon has Auto Focus assist lamp
Canon has option for vertical Hand Grip
Memory Card type


I'm not suggesting that all of these are important (for instance, I rarely use mirror lock-up or DoF preview)....but they are features nevertheless that may be more critical to prospective buyers....than how a camera feels.

If the best reason you can come up with not to get the Canon is because it feels too small in your hands....then buy the Battery Grip (at least it is an option).

Better reasons not to get the Canon, are it's lack of Spot metering, lack of Auto Focus assist (except with the flash), lack of Grid display on the LCD viewfinder (not sure about the Nikon)....but get over the "small" size of the camera body.

I feel better now :D

[Phill D]

Seems to me that if you are travelling a lot & want a combination zoom then weight is a big consideration. I think the lightest option would be an Olympus E410 with the 18-180 lens at about 880g (no IS though) next is the Oly E510 & the same lens at 925g. The Nikon D40X plus 18-200 comes in at 1082g and the Canon 400D(XTi) plus the sigma 18-200 (IS) lens at 1166g. I'd say if you are happy with the reduced sensor size of the Olympus then that is the best for features if you want better high iso but fewer bells & whistles then go for the Nikon. If an all in one zoom is not the be all and end all then on lightweight considerations & for a cracking US price (bear in mind I'm in the UK & very envious of your prices) the Olympus E510 twin lens deal (14-42 & 40-150) total weight cam & both lenses of 900g at $650 seems like a bargain to me. Just a few additional thoughts to add to the melting pot.

[fionndruinne]

The learning curve is the same for every SLR. The ease or length of time it takes you to cross that curve, though, may vary with models. For a DSLR newbie, for example, no one denies that the D40(x) with all its help/info provides a quicker jump into the world of DSLR photography. However, as you mentioned, books and manuals are available and also important. For what it's worth, Jeff gave the Nikon's manual high marks for readability.

If the best reason you can come up with not to get the Canon is because it feels too small in your hands....then buy the Battery Grip (at least it is an option).

Come on, guys. "Buy the batter grip" is not the be-all-end-all answer to the gripe that the XTi has a small and uncomfortable handle. Most folks getting into photography don't want to go out and buy another 100+$ accessory which will add size and weight to their camera while decreasing portability. And many folks don't really need the added battery power either, unless their habits really necessitate shooting photos for long periods at a time. There's just no getting around the fact that the XTi, despite its strong points, has a sucker of a grip.

[Rooz]

With all due respect Rooz, there are enough differences between these 2 cameras for a decision to be based on more than just how they feel in your hands.

Features that I think have greater relevance include :

Nikon 3AF v Canon 9AF
Nikon requirement for Lenses with own motor drive
Canon has mirror-lock-up
Canon has Depth of Field preview
Nikon has Spot Metering
Canon has Anti-Dust mechanism
Nikon has Auto Focus assist lamp
Canon has option for vertical Hand Grip
Memory Card typeI'm not suggesting that all of these are important (for instance, I rarely use mirror lock-up or DoF preview)....but they are features nevertheless that may be more critical to prospective buyers....than how a camera feels.

If the best reason you can come up with not to get the Canon is because it feels too small in your hands....then buy the Battery Grip (at least it is an option).

Better reasons not to get the Canon, are it's lack of Spot metering, lack of Auto Focus assist (except with the flash), lack of Grid display on the LCD viewfinder (not sure about the Nikon)....but get over the "small" size of the camera body.

I feel better now :D

all fair points. none of which seems to stop people from taking cracking photos from EITHER body, which is i suppose my point really. one is not clearly "better" than the other as you will see in almos every review and comparison. check out the d40 thread...some of the best photos you'll see on this site bar none. almost all from novices that have never even picked up a dslr before. besides which the OP wanted qucik to learn and easy to use, so...

imo far too much time and energy is wasted on picking apart all the specs. hell, i've been guilty of it myself from time to time. unless there is a spcialist need, then i prefer to use the one that feels better and is more comfortable to use. but then...i wouldn't expect a canon user to understand that...can you guys even spell ergonomics ? :p:D

[WestCoast]

All of the entry-level D-SLRs are relatively easy to learn. I wouldn't base my decision on that factor. I would suggest that you go try both of them out, as some people don't like the size/feel of the XTi. If that and money aren't a factor, I'd say that the XTi is the better of the two (more features and comes with much better software). I think that Canon's IQ is slightly better at higher ISO, but that's debatable.

Go try both of them out at your local store. You won't be disappointed either way.