Lets talk about AF points!

[lambertpix]

Ok, well the contention was that Canon is better than Nikon for low light performance - that was what I was responding too specifically. It simply is not true.

I'm not sure if this is what the OP was talking about, but I did read a number of reviews talking specifically about how the center point's -3 EV sensitivity helps it focus in low light. I don't know how the rated values of other cameras off hand, but DPreview mentioned specifically that the -3 EV sensitivity is "one stop lower than any full frame DSLR on the market. And our real world use with the camera bears out this impressive performance."

I compared my D5100 to the 70d for two reasons, first my d5100 is pretty outdated, the 70d is pretty much top of the line latest and greatest for Canon's crop sensors.

Canon's taken a lot of heat for not improving their high-ISO performance of their crop sensors more than they have; it's probably the single biggest shortcoming I see in my 7D. Hence, my desire to make sure we're comparing something that actually matters for this conversation. Still, when I looked at images in DPReview, the 70D seemed to fare pretty well against the D7100. Again, other than just looking at the score that DxO assigns, is there a place you can recommend that I go to see images to compare noise? I certainly don't want to be misinformed, so help me find some more credible information.

It's not a "Nikon is better than Canon" sort of post, but you can't argue the fact that when you compare Nikon's vrs Canon's in the area of low light performance the Nikon will nearly always win that comparison when you compare bodies in the same price range.

I'm not trying to make this "Nikon vs. Canon", either, but I tend not to trust blanket statements -- if there's somewhere you're seeing actual results, I'd love to go take a look.

 

[robbins.photo]

Ok, well the contention was that Canon is better than Nikon for low light performance - that was what I was responding too specifically. It simply is not true.

I'm not sure if this is what the OP was talking about, but I did read a number of reviews talking specifically about how the center point's -3 EV sensitivity helps it focus in low light. I don't know how the rated values of other cameras off hand, but DPreview mentioned specifically that the -3 EV sensitivity is "one stop lower than any full frame DSLR on the market. And our real world use with the camera bears out this impressive performance."

I compared my D5100 to the 70d for two reasons, first my d5100 is pretty outdated, the 70d is pretty much top of the line latest and greatest for Canon's crop sensors.

Canon's taken a lot of heat for not improving their high-ISO performance of their crop sensors more than they have; it's probably the single biggest shortcoming I see in my 7D. Hence, my desire to make sure we're comparing something that actually matters for this conversation. Still, when I looked at images in DPReview, the 70D seemed to fare pretty well against the D7100. Again, other than just looking at the score that DxO assigns, is there a place you can recommend that I go to see images to compare noise? I certainly don't want to be misinformed, so help me find some more credible information.

It's not a "Nikon is better than Canon" sort of post, but you can't argue the fact that when you compare Nikon's vrs Canon's in the area of low light performance the Nikon will nearly always win that comparison when you compare bodies in the same price range.

I'm not trying to make this "Nikon vs. Canon", either, but I tend not to trust blanket statements -- if there's somewhere you're seeing actual results, I'd love to go take a look.

On the Canon crop sensor issue, fair enough - I was merely discussing it because in the other related thread the OP had questioned whether or not she might not want to take a look at a crop sensor rather than full frame. As to lowlight in general, the Nikon does have an edge in lowlight performance - it's a big edge in most crop sensor bodies, but the difference between the two is not nearly as noticeable on Full frame from what I understand. I don't own a full frame, in truth I don't really need one so I doubt I'll be looking at going that route anytime myself so I can only speak from what I've read and researched.

I'm not sure if there is a site that compares the two side by side with shots taken under similar conditions with the same camera settings - that would be interesting to see, from real world experience I have taken pictures with both my nikon D5100 and a Canon 60d in the same lighting conditions using the same settings for aperture, shutter speed and a high ISO (6400) and I can tell you there was a very noticeable difference in the end results. I don't think I saved the test shots, the 60d actually belongs to a friend and we were just messing around one afternoon, but I'll see if maybe I kept them. I'll also poke around on the web a bit and see if I can find a comparison like the one you mention above, my guess is that for the full frames the difference probably won't be as noticeable.

 

[kathyt]

Like anything, you will need to learn how to use it. Whichever camera you get there will be a learning curve. Yes, you can get focused images with any camera (for the most part) if you are using it correctly. I loved my Canon Rebel, but I love my Mark III more of course. I could focus with each camera once I learned their own pros and cons. I prefer the center focal point on the Mark III most of the time, because I find it to be the sharpest. Other people may have other ways they prefer. Once you gain more experience it will become second nature to you.

 

[JustJazzie]

I have guests over so I'm not able to post a lengthy response right now but I wanted to quickly clarify-

When I said cannon was better than nikon in low light, I was referring to my research and the comparisons I saw on the 6d vs the nikon 610. From the shots I saw, the canon seemed to have less noise.

Now when I went to look up crop sensors the story changed, so I guess I should have been more specific on the models I was referring too!

Honestly, I don't really know much about cameras. I know how to use them, but all the bells and whistles confuse the heck out of me! I only asked about focus points because it IS a feature I use most often on my current camera. Luckily, I THINK I solved my problem and I should be able to make my current camera work for now!

I'm gonna re read all the comments when I have more time and try to really understand them all.....

 

[Dao]

JustJazzie, the camera is just a tool.

After I first bought my Canon Rebel XTi back in 2008, being a technical person, I did read and compare a lot about cameras and wanted to know if I made the right decision. However, as I learned more about photography and took more photos and had access to other cameras. Now I really do not care too much. Of course, it does not mean camera technology is not important and if I am in the market to get another camera I will take a look at the technical spec.

But I will not weight too much on tech spec.
- Camera A has 52 AF points while Camera B has only 9.
- Camera C can do 10 fps while Camera D only goes up to 6fps.
- Camera E is the ISO king while Camera F is not.

All I need is just a camera that I can enjoy and able to do what I want it to do. I am a Canon camera owner and jumping from Rebel to 40D (upgrade because I really like the top display and dual wheels) and then to 7D (when my 40D gave me some err99). And I can tell you camera upgrade did not have much impact on my photos. Lenses upgrade, "experience" upgrade, learn how to use lights and Photo Post processing technique upgrade (learn and read more how and what to do in POST) have much much more impact on my photos.

Back then when I saw some beautiful images and wish I can do the same and found out the photos were taken with Nikon D40, D50, D70, Rebel XT (300D) etc, then I keep asking why my 40D cannot produce those images. I am sure a lot of you know the reasons. It was me. Even if I spend the money and get the D4, it won't make a dent on my photos.

Sorry for the lengthy post, all I want to say is ... Stop worry about too much on camera. I strongly believe even your existing NEX is a fine camera.