Canon 60D vs Nikon D7000 for bird photography

[visprod]

I use a Nikon D3100 with the Nikon-mount Tamron 70-300mm VC lens. In addition, I have the Nikon 18-55mm lens and a Nikon 50mm f1.8.


I am planning to buy a Sigma 150-500mm OS lens for birding. This is where my confusion begins. I browsed through photo-sharing websites like 500px for photographs taken with the Sigma 150-500mm OS. I found that the photos taken with the Sigma mounted on a Canon body were better than the ones taken with the lens mounted on a Nikon body. Even otherwise, I have found the photos taken with the Canon having better contrast and colour, in my opinion.


However, all the forums invariably state that Nikon and Canon are equally good, and it is the photographer and his techniques that determine the quality of the images. Yet I find the majority of bird photographers using Canon. Could you please throw some light on this aspect?


Also, I read somewhere that Nikon sensors have inbuilt infrared filters that cutoff infrared rays, the downside being that some image detail is also lost, whereas Canon does not have this. How credible is this information?


Finally, it all boils down to this. I need to know if I should switch over to Canon or stay with the Nikon. If I have to switch over to Canon, I'll have to sell all my equipment, including the body and the Tamron 70-300 and buy a Canon-mount Sigma 150-500mm and Canon 60D. On the other hand, if I buy a Nikon-mount Sigma 150-500mm, I can have all the equipment I already have, and later buy a Nikon D7000.


Which option should I choose?

 

[Tiller]

If you've already got the glass, stay with nikon. The d7000 is a fine camera and will give you great IQ.

If you do decide to switch to Canon, I would go with the 7d over the 60d. You can grab a used one for about $750 if you wait enough and I would choose the 7d over the d7000 personally.

Either one will work well with the Sigma and you'll get good results either way.

 

[Tiller]

I will throw in I've got the 60d, and it fine for bird photography. It's all about the glass!

 

[nmoody]

If you already have Nikon glass stick with Nikon. As you mentioned they are pretty much equal so you cant go wrong with either one.

As for the part about more bird people being Canon I dont know the answer. There is no major reason that I can tell to pick either over the other. I believe Canon is more popular with "joe consumer" so you would see more of them out there.