Nikon or Canon?

I've had Nikon for years (F5, D70 D300 D610). Honestly there likely isn't much in it, but each time I've handled and used a low/mid level Canon, it has felt kind-of "cheap" compared to the equivalent Nikon. The pro-level Canons and Nikons are all solid, as would be expected.

Oh, and I would never own a camera called a "Digital Rebel". I mean, what the hell is that all about?
 
If you are asking as a prospective buyer & just starting out........there's no difference between the 2. (or indeed others when comparing similar specs & prices)

The MOST important thing, is to physically go & hold the cameras in a store & see which feels most comfortable to hold & which of the menu's & features are more intuitive for you to navigate.
If you simply purchase on recommendations of `fan-boys`.....or sales staff, it may be uncomfortable/harder to use & lead to you losing interest or enthusiasm.

Don't get hung up on getting the most megapixels either. 16MP are more than enough for the vast majority of folk (even most pro's)
Get the best you can afford, BUT, don't forget the lenses! (depending on what your interest is & what subjects you'll be shooting most) look to spend about 30% of your budget on the body initially & the rest on 1 or 2 good lenses. It's the glass in front of the camera, that really matter!

Take your time & don't rush!

Good luck with your decision & .......enjoy.
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BTW, it can be a VERY expensive hobby if you get the bug.
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OMG, light the blue touch paper and retire! :D
 
'Nikon' scores more in scrabble, but their adverts get on my t**s- so Canon.
That what you meant?
 
The best camera is the one in your hand, honestly buy whichever feels right to you, though here's and ultimate irony, I just ordered a canon 450D when I was starting because a friend had a 350D and it was his photos that stirred my interest and desire to get a proper camera :LOL: never went out and tried camera in my hands, thankfully that didn't come back to bite my in the ass as I really love the ergonomics of canon and the menu/buttons and later in life handling Nikons they really don't feel right in my hands

But it's as said each to there own whatever works for the individuals, all levels have equals in either range and each equal with have pros and cons on the specs so it really is down to what works best for you...

The 5D3 does exactly what I need from a camera I could get a 1DX but the reality is I don't need the fps, I would make use of the even better ISO but really the ISO of the 5D3 doesn't exactly limit me.... But that's my needs, that isn't going to be the same for you (y)
 
As above really, whatever feels right for you, go to your local outlet and handle a few, I had the Nikon D300s which was a superb camera, but then I came across Sony's new mirrorless cameras and have never looked back, I love my nex 7 and I am saving up for the new A7r as we speak
 
Everybody has said it really.......what made me go canon route was the feel of it in my hand and at the time I found the menu easier, I still made mistake though originally bought 350D but found it too small, upgraded to 40D and loved it, now got 70D and love that one.........it really is take your time handling them as I believe there is not much between them, another consideration has to be cost of any lens you might buy as really you want to be thinking I am buying into a system, yes you can swap over later but that is going to cost money
 
Nikon or Canon?, six of one and a half dozen of the other.

Both make capable quality cameras, and you'll not be disappointed with either.

I've always been a Canon man, currently using a 5D Mklll, but I wouldn't say its any better than the equivalent Nikon, or that the Nikon is any better than the Canon.

Many amateurs will say that the brand of camera they have is the best, for no other real reason than because that's what they bought. Be aware that there is a lot of rubbish spouted on forums about the Canon v Nikon subject, much of it without any real technical understanding.

As Vertigo1 said "light blue touch paper and retire" ;)

Decide on your budget, look at the specs, then go along to the shop, and see which camera feels right for you.

Dave
 
Both make excellent cameras. My experience went like this.

I wanted a DSLR, and at the time the Nikon D80 and the Canon 400D were competing for my money. This was somewhere in the middle of 2006.

My friend had a 350D which I'd had a play with and liked. So I did a little online research and then headed to Jessops to get some hands on with both the models I was looking at. After a short time it became evident that I preferred the feel of the Nikon. It had a bit more heft, it felt more solid and like it had been built for closer to what I was paying (which was about £70 more than the 400D IIRC). It also felt a bit larger and with larger hands it felt better in them. I knew both would take good quality images.

So I went with the Nikon D80. Eventually I wanted a replacement with better ISO capability so got a second hand Nikon D7000. Canon was ruled out simply because I already had Nikon lenses and accessories and knew the layout of the cameras and felt happy with them.

When my Nikon D7000 and all my kit got stolen last year my boss very kindly lent me his Canon 7D for my holiday which was a week later. All the buttons were in the wrong places!! I took some of the photos that I like the most! Maybe it was having to think about everything more that made me slow down and think about the image as well. I don't know.

As a result I was strongly thinking about going to Canon. I had no equipment holding me back, and my friend works for Canon and could get me a discount (if the insurance was paying cash), and I know nobody who owns any Nikon gear. I know about 9 who own Canon. Swapping would have benefited me! I liked the Canon 7D for the 10 days that I had it, and even got used to the buttons being in the wrong places ;).

In the end the insurance was going to replace everything I lost for exactly the same brand new which I was more than happy with, I loved my Nikon gear. I asked if I could get the D7100 and pay the difference (about £150), they put it in the order and it cost me nothing :)

So Nikon have me as a customer now because when I was looking at getting into the hobby their build quality and layout FELT better at that end of the spectrum. Whether it was or not I don't know.
 
Canon for me but for the same reason I'd vote for right hand drive cars.

I'm just more used to Canon DSLRs these days and can operate them without having to think.

For somebody starting out - go and try them out and go with whichever feels right.
 
price up the lens that you need or may need

Nikon, no matter which way you pronounce it is a nicer word
 
It's all been said really, one other thing to bear in mind is if you have any mates with either Canon or Nikon with lots of lenses - if you ask nicely you may get to borrow them .:)
 
john-oh said:
It's all been said really, one other thing to bear in mind is if you have any mates with either Canon or Nikon with lots of lenses - if you ask nicely you may get to borrow them .:)
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Hmmm. Perhaps. :thinking:

I had a Nikon (all very manual) some years ago and really loved it. When I went digital and wanted a proper camera I started out with a Panny FZ48, which is a bridge camera. It was really good, but somewhat limiting, so I went back to Nikon. (kept the Panny tho'.) As I'm a cash-strapped OAP I opted for their lowest intro model, the D3100, with two kit lenses.....................................................................and I absolutely love it/them. However, I certainly wouldn't denigrate Canon. I had a 'point-and-shoot' Canon some time back and it was excellent.
If you go to a high street shop for a touchy-feel, and if you make a hit with a knowledgeable salesman who doesn't keep pushing you into something too quickly, I don't agree with using the shop for info and then going online for the camera.:naughty: Fairs fair!;)
 
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and of course lets not forget pentax, olympus, sony, sigma, fuji, and panasonic (and leica if you are feeling minted)
 
As everyone has said its down to taste. When I got my Nikon D90 years back I just felt it and the equivalent Canon and like the feel of the Nikon better

But saying that I think Canon have the upper hand with regards to video. If video is important (not to me) then go for Canon or something similar

But don't forget other makes like Fuji - I have four fuji cameras and they are superb
 
Nikon or Canon? Depends what your friends have - when you have a question or a problem it's nice to have an expert in that camera system help you.
 
Full Framed or Cropped - another consideration ?

I would certainly consider looking at the Fuji X series. Small, lightweight and excellent quality, I have pretty much ditched using my Nikon gear in favour of the CSC.
 
Don't get anything too small ......... the latest bodies are getting smaller and smaller - a used D300 or D300S or D700 - in good nick with low actuations is nice
or I have seen some new D7000 still being sold

stay away from Canon, but the Sony A7 or A7r looks good
 
BillN_33 said:
stay away from Canon,
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thats the sort of post that drags these discussion down - why should he stay away from canon ?

The bottom line is that every mainstream manufacturer makes bodies that would be fine for the needs of someone starting out
 
big soft moose said:
thats the sort of post that drags these discussion down - why should he stay away from canon ?

The bottom line is that every mainstream manufacturer makes bodies that would be fine for the needs of someone starting out
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sure does - particularly when you don't have a sense of humour

Canon has a capital C
 
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Out of interest, has an actual 'bad' interchangeable lens camera actually been released in the past 5 years or so?

It's a shame that the likes of Fuji, Olympus, Pentax, Sony etc don't have more of a user-base and everything that goes with it (solid used market etc), as they all make fantastic cameras as well, arguably all doing more innovative things at consumer level than 'the big two' at the moment.
 
ukaskew said:
Out of interest, has an actual 'bad' interchangeable lens camera actually been released in the past 5 years or so?

It's a shame that the likes of Fuji, Olympus, Pentax, Sony etc don't have more of a user-base and everything that goes with it (solid used market etc), as they all make fantastic cameras as well, arguably all doing more innovative things at consumer level than 'the big two' at the moment.
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This one doesn't sound great: http://visualsciencelab.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/sony-exercises-their-right-to-build.html (and I am slightly baffled as to the selling point of a mirrorless camera in a dslr body as one of the main points of mirrorless is smaller and lighter bodies, not identical ones).

I agree with your second paragraph though.
 
ukaskew said:
Out of interest, has an actual 'bad' interchangeable lens camera actually been released in the past 5 years or so?

It's a shame that the likes of Fuji, Olympus, Pentax, Sony etc don't have more of a user-base and everything that goes with it (solid used market etc), as they all make fantastic cameras as well, arguably all doing more innovative things at consumer level than 'the big two' at the moment.
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Fuji ?

Well established Nikon and Cannon users, professionals and amateurs alike years are abandoning their heavy FF gear for the Fuji x system.
Loads of blogs out there and from users and retailers citing this.

Sonys new CSC Alphas are also creating waves of interest for the new full frame sensors.
 
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Blank_Canvas said:
Fuji ?

Well established Nikon and Cannon users, professionals and amateurs alike years are abandoning their heavy FF gear for the Fuji x system.
Loads of blogs out there and from users and retailers citing this.

Sonys new CSC Alphas are also creating waves of interest for the new full frame sensors.
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That's exactly what I'm saying, however 99% of the time when people decide they want an 'advanced' camera they ask the question that the OP has...'Canon or Nikon?' There is still a perception amongst many that you need of their big cameras to take good photos, when in reality one of the smaller options will probably be far more suitable for many.
 
Ah, got you ! Back in the 80, Nikon and Cannon's 35mm SLRs were unsurpassed.

Today, it's the likes of a Fuji and Sony who are being the most innovative companies. Nikon / Sony do get it eventually, but it takes them a while to catch up. Sony then develop newer, brighter and faster sensors and then release the older versions and pre-production items to Nikon so they can put them in their latest cameras.
 
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FWIW the OP already had a Canon SLR when he posted this (according to his info), and hasn't responded the the thread since it was opened. Guessing he was bored... ;)
 
BillN_33 said:
sure does - particularly when you don't have a sense of humour

Canon has a capital C
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in order to require a sense of humour something has to actually be funny
 
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