D40 for a first DSLR?

[Eyetattoo]

So if you were to choose would you buy the Nikon D40 or Canon Rebal XS, and why?

 

[Plato]

How does the D40 stack up against the Canon equal as far as features and upgrade ability?

Owning a Nikon improves your sex life.

 

[KmH]

I have a Nikon D60. And a nikon D90, and a Nikon D200, and a Nikon D1X. I got them in the reverse order though. Go figure. Next I'll be getting a Nikon D300

I recommend the Nikon.

For what it worth:

I'm getting ready to sell my D1X, body only, with an extra battery and all the other stuff it came with, strap, software, original box, charger, manual. It was purchased as refurbished in November of 2007 as a back up camera. I have documentation showing the buffer was updated as part of the refurb and the camera has about 10,000 shutter actuations on it (very few for a pro level body). The box is stamped inside with "Refurbished Product" and has "Reconditioned Product" printed on the outside of the box. In other words, Nikon Reconditioned the camera.

This camera model sold new for $5500 in 2001. It was the top of the line pro model of its day, so it has the built in vertical grip, extra controls and shutter release. It uses 1 CF memory card. Nikon has not made a camera that can auto focus as fast as a D1X with non/AF-S lenses. That's why I've held onto it, but the fast focus is no lo nger a necessity for me.

Once I put it on the market the price will be a firm, $500. You can get an AF 50mm f/1.8D lens new for about $130. You could have a much more capable camera than the D40/kit lens for $630. NOTE: Nikon pro level cameras don't have a pop-up flash.

 

[Goontz]

So if you were to choose would you buy the Nikon D40 or Canon Rebal XS, and why?

Can of worms here...Nikon guys will tell you many reasons for the D40 and Canon guys vice versa. This is where it really is best to look at the features of each and decide which is best for you. You can probably even download the user manual to each and read through it to get an idea of how the menus and settings work (I know you can with the Nikon). Maybe even go into a store and hold each one and play with the menus and settings to help you. I seriously doubt that you'll be disappointed with either choice.





P.S. All seriousness aside, get the Nikon, obviously.

 

[Eyetattoo]

So if you were to choose would you buy the Nikon D40 or Canon Rebal XS, and why?

Can of worms here...Nikon guys will tell you many reasons for the D40 and Canon guys vice versa. This is where it really is best to look at the features of each and decide which is best for you. You can probably even download the user manual to each and read through it to get an idea of how the menus and settings work (I know you can with the Nikon). Maybe even go into a store and hold each one and play with the menus and settings to help you. I seriously doubt that you'll be disappointed with either choice.





P.S. All seriousness aside, get the Nikon, obviously.

I going to Best Buy today to hold them both to get a feel but the problem is that being as I am new to the DSLR world I dont know what features I will want. What are the major differences between the two?

 

[harleyrider]

as a canon owner i say dont get the d40 no get the d60.
i think the d40 like my canon 350d,xt is out dated,i think the d40 is only 6 mg,the xt 8mg i think the d60 is 10mg.they say you dont need alot of mgs if you dont print big pictures... but my reel point is you will save money by spending a little more now or you will up grade much sooner.if you buy the d60 or d80 now or d90 you will be happy for a lot longer time before you up grade. and it will sell faster used to.
and i just bought a 50d i dont want to up grade for a long wile.i allmost bought the new t1i 500,but i liked the 50d after playing with it in the store.

 

[Samanax]

So if you were to choose would you buy the Nikon D40 or Canon Rebal XS, and why?

I'd choose the Canon XS mostly because it's newer technology.

Nikon D40 was introduced in 2006.

Canon XS/1000D was introduced in 2008.