It's funny how these discussions always somehow turn into a silly Canon vs Nikon debate(it's been getting pretty bad around here lately). If the only reason I bought a camera was for image quality then I would use medium format cameras. Now with that being said, a smaller sensor does add more noise when its pixel count gets higher than it should. For example, the 8 megapixel on the Minolta is going to be noisier than the 6 megapixel on a DSLR no matter which brand name you choose. A DSLR has a larger sensor to start with. There's a huge quality difference between my D70 and my dad's Fujifilm S7000. If you are printing at 4x6 or only posting your pictures on the internet then there may not be much of a difference.
Basically a camera choice does come down to what you are using it for and your personal preference. A camera maybe strong in one area but if that area is not much of concern for you then it's really not a strong selling point for you now is it. For example, the Canon 10D is missing some features I like on my D70 but I'm not a brand name snob so I won't tell you one is better than the other. It comes down to your personal preference as to which one would be better. You really should read up on the reviews at dpreview.com and see what specifications/features you can live with and what you can't live without. Every camera has their strong and weak points. Who knows, marjen, you might be perfectly happy with the Minolta or Sony but for me my dad's FujiFilm S7000 is too limiting for the type of photography that I do.
The best way to know is to actually use the cameras, but I know that's usually not possible. What you should do is describe the type of photography you do because the average photographer doesn't need all the fancy features of DSLR or expensive prosumer digital cameras. Prosumer digital cameras have come along way so you might be happy with one, but I don't know your preferences so it's hard to tell.
I'll give you two quick differences to start you off, but there's more out there. One difference is that non-DSLR cameras tend to give you too much DOF. Even at f2.8 the background will still be in focused similar to using f8 or something. You should definitely test this out before buying a non-DSLR. This has been true for the several non-DSLR cameras that I have used. I don't know if it is true for all of them. Secondly you get an optical viewfinder on a DSLR as opposed to an electronic viewfinder which is basically a small LCD. I've always hated holding my cameras at arm's length to use the larger LCD monitor on the back of point and shoot cameras so a viewfinder was the only choice for me but that might not be the case for you. I prefer optical over electronic viewfinders.
Just one of the reasons why I don't like getting into these Canon vs Nikon debates. This might be a valid reason for you but it's certainly not a valid reason for me. Choosing a camera is a preference decision as much as it is a specification comparison. One maybe more important for one person but not as important for someone else.
Basically a camera choice does come down to what you are using it for and your personal preference. A camera maybe strong in one area but if that area is not much of concern for you then it's really not a strong selling point for you now is it. For example, the Canon 10D is missing some features I like on my D70 but I'm not a brand name snob so I won't tell you one is better than the other. It comes down to your personal preference as to which one would be better. You really should read up on the reviews at dpreview.com and see what specifications/features you can live with and what you can't live without. Every camera has their strong and weak points. Who knows, marjen, you might be perfectly happy with the Minolta or Sony but for me my dad's FujiFilm S7000 is too limiting for the type of photography that I do.
The best way to know is to actually use the cameras, but I know that's usually not possible. What you should do is describe the type of photography you do because the average photographer doesn't need all the fancy features of DSLR or expensive prosumer digital cameras. Prosumer digital cameras have come along way so you might be happy with one, but I don't know your preferences so it's hard to tell.
I'll give you two quick differences to start you off, but there's more out there. One difference is that non-DSLR cameras tend to give you too much DOF. Even at f2.8 the background will still be in focused similar to using f8 or something. You should definitely test this out before buying a non-DSLR. This has been true for the several non-DSLR cameras that I have used. I don't know if it is true for all of them. Secondly you get an optical viewfinder on a DSLR as opposed to an electronic viewfinder which is basically a small LCD. I've always hated holding my cameras at arm's length to use the larger LCD monitor on the back of point and shoot cameras so a viewfinder was the only choice for me but that might not be the case for you. I prefer optical over electronic viewfinders.
I don't think that's an issue for 95% of D70 owners and definitely not for new owners unless they actually want to buy old Pro lenses. If a personal can afford or use Pro Nikon lenses then I would think they are the type of people who would be interested in Pro level camera bodies like a Nikon D2H, etc. The D70 can use G, D, AF-S, AF-I, AI-P, series E, etc or do you think that's not enough for the average user? With the targeted audience of the D70, Canon 10D and 300D I don't see how compatibility with Pro level lenses has much merit. It will most likely only be a concern for about 5% of possible customers.Crazymainer said:
Just one of the reasons why I don't like getting into these Canon vs Nikon debates. This might be a valid reason for you but it's certainly not a valid reason for me. Choosing a camera is a preference decision as much as it is a specification comparison. One maybe more important for one person but not as important for someone else.
