Which would you buy and why?

[TeeZeeMee]

really... we're splitting hairs here. Go to a store and play.

I did and the best advice given so far MLeek!
I fell in love with the T3i.... until.... i held the 60D

I am getting a 60D tomorrow, and i dont think i will be any happier with my choice

 

[KmH]

\You've continuously misstated certain Canon cameras don't have a DoF preview button when I have pointed out to you numerous times that they DO. .

Not since you pointed out my error, which I thanked you for doing.

You knowingly skewed your information by saying "no canon lenses have an autofocus motor" but failed to mention that all EF lenses (sans TS-e lenses) will AF.

Where did I say "no canon lenses have an autofocus motor"? :scratch:

 

[WhiskeyTango]

Should you learn to manually focus-Well, maybe. Usually not. You'll find that 9 times out of 10 manual focus is really inaccurate and hard as hell to do. There are a FEW who do it, but not many. Manual focus is used for macro shots and that is totally different than manually focusing other things.

The screen-it's a break hazard that I don't want to deal with. I almost never use the live view on my cameras in any way shape or form. I think the last time I did was for a self done family portrait taken 2 years ago. The viewfinder is much more accurate to use anyway.

Derrel is correct on the feel of the Nikon's over the Canon's. If you ask me Canon makes things in their entry levels a bit complicated to change aperture. However, I also don't change aperture a dozen times while I am shooting so? do I care? Maybe. Not really. It's a stupid design whether it really bothers me or not.

Just my opinion-you seem as if you are wanting to go further with this later and will be upgrading. Choose wisely because you will find yourself married to the system after you start building a kit of lenses. I shoot canon and I love my cameras, however the way things have been going for me and the type of photography I shoot I have found myself very Nikon envious in the past year or two. There are nikon shooters who say the same thing about canon. A perfect combination for me would be a Nikon body I could use my canon lenses on.
This won't be your forever camera and you've said that. If you feel the Nikon is the right setup for you go Nikon. Once you get to the pinch of the D5100 you'll be about ready to upgrade. The sensor in the D5100 is an excellent sensor for image quality.
If canon is what you want down the road, choose the canon regardless of the button setup. It's not that much of a hindrance at all and once you get out of the entry level cameras that's not an issue.

Which is better in terms of quality and specs? Neither.
Go to a store and play with both of them. One will feel right in your hands. That's the one you pick.

That may be the most sane, honest response I've ever seen to the OMG it's Nikon v Canon!!!!!!!! debate. It's utterly impossible for me to agree more!

I tried both. I respect both. Several very good friends shoot Canon, and are far, far better photographers than I am (yet). Nikon felt a lot better in my hands, so that's what I bought. I am very happy.

Take MLeeK's advice.

 

[o hey tyler]

\You've continuously misstated certain Canon cameras don't have a DoF preview button when I have pointed out to you numerous times that they DO. .

Not since you pointed out my error, which I thanked you for doing.

You knowingly skewed your information by saying "no canon lenses have an autofocus motor" but failed to mention that all EF lenses (sans TS-e lenses) will AF.

Where did I say "no canon lenses have an autofocus motor"? :scratch:

My apologies, you said "NONE of Canon's cameras have a focus motor in them" which is irrelevant because every lens in the EF/EF-s Lineup AF's on a Canon body.

 

[Derrel]

As MLeeK suggested, and another poster-go to a store, and look at and handle the two cameras. And while there, ask to be shown the next model or two upward, as well as the high-end and the mid-level flash unit. As MLeeK suggested, buying in to a particular camera system can be like getting married. If you want it to be like that; it can also be a string of long-lasting, serial monogamous affairs, it you'd like it to be like that.

There ARE some pretty large differences between these two cameras, in terms of features. Nikon has, IMHO, better light metering for point & shoot type use, and also has in-camera image editing, which can be fun to play around with. A year or two ago, there was a column in The Online Photographer, dedicated to "how to select a camera", and in the first d-slr category, it was noted that a HUGE percentage of first-time buyers spend TONS of time on research, and become sort of paralyzed by statistics, and the pursuit, and comparison of statistics, to the point that ONE, or TWO specific features become ultra-critical to the prospective buyer, and he or she just becomes fixated on achieving some imaginary, specification-oriented "check-mark!".

The thing is, as a first time buyer, you probably do not really,truly KNOW what,exactly, it is that you want, or what you will end up liking, or disliking, about your first d-slr. For instance...the swivel screen...sounds good right? But how important is that compared to matrix light metering and flash metering that simply WORKS when the camera is handed over to a non-photo friend or family member?

What are the cameras at the mid- and higher price points like? anywayyy....you just need to GET ONE. Buy,use,learn,evaluate,and then decide where to head.

 

[Tarazed]

I agree with what has been stated here multiple times. They really are both excellent systems. Choose the one that feels best in your hands, most comfortable to hold and use. I would also consider what people you know use. I choose Nikon, because I know a few folks I could borrow lens from and talk "shop" with. Consider that and what "feels" best.

Good Luck!!!

 

[greybeard35 8]

If you plan on being serious about photography you won't want the articulating screen down the line anyway.

Really????

 

[MLeeK]

really... we're splitting hairs here. Go to a store and play.

I did and the best advice given so far MLeek!
I fell in love with the T3i.... until.... i held the 60D

I am getting a 60D tomorrow, and i dont think i will be any happier with my choice

I had thought about suggesting the 60D, but you seemed to be trying HARD to keep your budget down, so...
You will love it. Enjoy.

 

[FSJeffo]

Same thing happened to me. Love my 60D, and as stated - the ability to 'hide' the screen for safety (and nose prints) was a part of the choice. Enjoy!

 

[TeeZeeMee]

really... we're splitting hairs here. Go to a store and play.

I did and the best advice given so far MLeek!
I fell in love with the T3i.... until.... i held the 60D

I am getting a 60D tomorrow, and i dont think i will be any happier with my choice

I had thought about suggesting the 60D, but you seemed to be trying HARD to keep your budget down, so...
You will love it. Enjoy.

was TRYING to...not that i dont have the funds...but you know when you know, right? haha

the 60D just felt right in my hands, i like the button layout being mainly on the right side...just small things like that got me

 

[TeeZeeMee]

Same thing happened to me. Love my 60D, and as stated - the ability to 'hide' the screen for safety (and nose prints) was a part of the choice. Enjoy!

60D buddies? haha!
for real though we will have to keep in touch and talk bout our beauts

 

[Canuk]

I also have the 60D and it is a wonderful camera. Don't worry about the articulating screen breaking, its really not that fragile, but it does however open up different possibilities when shooting.
Heck I last summer I gave my 60D w/ 70-200f2.8 to my 7yr old daughter to shoot pictures of us racing at the motocross track. No harm came to the camera, what so ever.

 

[kanyewest1195]

T3i only because there is no auto focus motor in the D5100 forcing you to use AF-s lenses or manual focus. It limits you on a few great lenses and on some amazing older nikon lenses that are one hell of a bargain. Otherwise? The d5100 is a great entry level camera.

If you don't care about video and the video toys the T2i is the same sensor in the T3i. The T3i just has a few toys in the video department and the articulating screen. If you plan on being serious about photography you won't want the articulating screen down the line anyway.

i agree with u.

 

[Infinite_Day]

Good choice and a camera you should be happy with for a long while. I considered the 60D myself before I stuck with Nikon and the D7000. You'll enjoy that camera - have fun with it!

 

[TeeZeeMee]

once again i appreciate everyone's input!

I picked up my 60D today and between study breaks have messed with it some. IM IN LOVE! and i guess this makes me a Canon person now huh? haha

If anyone wants to toss me some beginners advice/notes about shooting or my camera please feel free