Nikon vs Canon

[JenR]

I know some people are passionate about Nikon cameras. There are probably just as many people passionate about their Canon cameras. Can someone please summarize the basic differences between the two?

I haven't purchased and SLR, so I don't have an allegiance to any manufacturer yet. So what is so awesome about Nikons? What is cool about the Canons? Come on, persuade me to join your "team"

~jen

 

[Tiberius]

There's really no difference.

Both companies produce amazing products, both bodies and lenses, at very similar products. Any 'advantages' one has over the other are so miniscule that unless you're a world-class pro you won't notice them. You would be happy with either system.

Here's the best test: Go to a camera store and hold a camera from each company in the price range you want. Whichever one feels better in your hands, buy. That's all you really need to know. Get a camera that feels good in your hands. For me, the Canon Rebel XT was so small I thought I'd drop it while the Nikon D50 felt so solid that I was instantly sold. I've had friends go Canon because in their hands it felt different. Neither of us were wrong - the bodies appeal to different people - get whichever one feels right.

 

[Alex_B]

i totally agree with tiberius here.
go and hold them.

even better, make friends with someone who owns a nikon and with someone who owns a similar canon... then borrow their cameras and go test-shooting and see with wich one you produce better images .. it is always the combination of the camera and the photographer.

you have to be more careful though, in which pricerange you buy the body and what lenses. we don't know your budget.

 

[Mad_Gnome]

Most camera shops will also let you test fire a few frames through a couple of cameras. That may help you make your decision. If you feel you want a more thorough test of each camera, bodies and lenses are typically available to rent for the day.

 

[Alex_B]

True, but i realised that the light in camera shops is often awful and it is hard to learn something about the camera there ...

.. and at least in Germany renting a lens is not very cheap, so you would not do that with too many different lenses

Most camera shops will also let you test fire a few frames through a couple of cameras. That may help you make your decision. If you feel you want a more thorough test of each camera, bodies and lenses are typically available to rent for the day.

 

[table1349]

What has been advised above is IMHO fairly accurate. Having shot both Canon and Nikon, there is one difference that might play a roll in your decision depending on the type of photography you are interested in. Canon cameras have less noise in their photos than Nikon cameras when the ISO is pushed to 400 or above. If you are an avid sports shooter or nature shooter dealing in low light situations it might be something to consider.

If this is not you interest then my recomendation would be to look beyond just the camera. When you invest in a DSLR you are buying a system, not a camera. Which company has the lense range, flashes and other accesories that are important to you. Once you enter the world of DSLR it is not uncommon to upgrade camera bodies every couple of years. Lenses, taken care of, will last a life time. If you have a good camera shop locally, play with them, with some of the accessories you are interested in. A battery grip alone can make a camera body feel completely different.

 

[Shakka Brah]

canon sounds cooler than nikon, right.
I like that I got an American made camera, other people dont care. The camera shop idea is the best one that has been posted so far.(Unless you canon does sound cooler than nikon)

 

[geoffe]

I could not agree more with the "hold the camera" and feel it. If you like the way it feels, smells, tastes and operates, you are probably more likely to use it. I have used many cameras and prefer Canon, but I also shoot Rollei, Holga, Mamiya and I would never ever buy a camera that did not feel good in my hands.

 

[DocFrankenstein]

canon sounds cooler than nikon, right.
I like that I got an American made camera, other people dont care. The camera shop idea is the best one that has been posted so far.(Unless you canon does sound cooler than nikon)

American made camera? Where? :meh:

Camera brand is simply a personal preference. There's no "better" - some people like one more than the other.

 

[Tiberius]

canon sounds cooler than nikon, right.
I like that I got an American made camera, other people dont care. The camera shop idea is the best one that has been posted so far.(Unless you canon does sound cooler than nikon)

Canon's Japanese too.

 

[dsp921]

I like that I got an American made camera, other people dont care.

What camera do you have? Canon is a Japanese company and as far as I know all their cameras are made in Japan, do they have a American manufacturing facility?

 

[Don Simon]

I haven't purchased and SLR, so I don't have an allegiance to any manufacturer yet.

If you have no allegiance yet, you have more options than just Canon and Nikon.

 

[phil-ray]

as said above theres no real diffrence in the 2 companys just personal choice imo.

im a sports/ car photographer and i shoot with a nikon

 

[Moranton]

Canon are making cheaper and better digital ie rebel 400 which made my 20D a cheap peice of plastic. Also not sure how much you want to spend but the 5D is $1,500 cheaper than nikons 12mp.

also nikon dont take pictures in focus j/k

 

[table1349]

If you have no allegiance yet, you have more options than just Canon and Nikon.

There are always options, however I do believe that JenR has selected the two best companies to look at. Canon and Nikon have the vast share of the pro digital market for good reason. They design for the pro's because it has to work, and work right everytime. With digital, it is far easier (translates to cheaper) for the average person to shoot like a pro. Pictures are taken by cameras. Photographs are created by people. It however is very hard to create with out good tools. You are on the right track JenR, now you just have to decide for yourself.