[pcookie]

Okay, I'm determined to jump on the digital SLR bandwagon, and after reading various magazines and looking at comments on this forum, I'm a bit confused.
The general concensus in the mags is that the Nikons, despite being only 6.1 megapixel cameras, are better cameras than the Canon, which although having 8.1 megapixels and better spec, seems to be worse in the handling stakes and suspect sharpness under certain conditions. A close friend who actually owns a Canon 20D told me to stay clear of the 350D as rumour on the web is that it has a flawed autofocus system.
But this forum seems to love the Canon and has been a bit scathing of the Nikons. So who's right?


Look forward to hearing your comments.

cookie

[Iain Shields]

Can open, worms everywhere!!!

(runs for cover )

[kenlynch]

The general consensus is not that Nikons are better than Canons. I don't trust magazine reviews, I know of several cases where the magazine reviewer has been a Nikon owner, so not an objective source of info.

Basically, I recommend you try them out and see what you think - both companies make good cameras. I could reel of a list of pros and cons for both, but a camera is to be used and you have to get your hands on one to find out which suits you. Also, don't just look at the camera, an SLR is more about the lens that is on the front - look at the range of lenses and accessories and see which has the best range to suit your budget and type of photography.

As for your 20D owning friend, he's taking the p***. I own a 350D and have absolutely no problems with focusing whatsoever.

[tomson]

Originally Posted by kenlynch

I own a 350D and have absolutely no problems with focusing whatsoever.

Ditto

[mr jones]

oooohhh worms excellent

[Iain Shields]

Originally Posted by kenlynch

I own a 350D and have absolutely no problems with focusing whatsoever.

Ditto Ditto

[RobertP]

I don't think any of us that owns a Canon has criticised Nikon. Any comments I've seen have only been in fun - as you can probably judge from the remarks so far

Take Kens advice and go find somewhere you can get your hands on them. See if you like the feel of one more than the other then research your buying options.

[Johndm]

Radical answer from me........

If your gonna get lots of nice lenses.....go for Canon

If your gonna get one or two lenses...go for Nikon

If you just want a DSLR with supplied lens, and no extra, just go for the cheapest.

Whatever camera you choose, its very likely to be superseded within a year to eighteen months, destroying its second hand value overnight.

[seany]

There's no wrong or rights, it's all subjective.

I'd drop the the nikon 50

No backlight on status LCD
No vertical grip (portrait grip / battery pack) available
Encrypted white balance in RAW files limits third party converters

So it's down to the the 350 and 70s. The 350 is the better featured camera in most respects, easily matches the (if not surpasses) 70s . Only trouble i and others have with the 350 is the plastic body and it's size. It's something you'll have to compare next to the 70s as it could simply end up being a matter of build that pushes you towards the nikon. But if you like the feel and size of the 350 i'd get it no question

Don't get caught up in the Nikon V Canon thing, it's a load of rubbish. Bottom line is we all win when the try to out do one another

Oh, that focus issue with the 350 is pie in the sky

[Radiohead]

Originally Posted by Johndm

Radical answer from me........

If your gonna get lots of nice lenses.....go for Canon

If your gonna get one or two lenses...go for Nikon

.dupe....

[Radiohead]

Originally Posted by Johndm

Radical answer from me........

If your gonna get lots of nice lenses.....go for Canon

If your gonna get one or two lenses...go for Nikon

Not sure I'd agree with that, espcially with Sigma, Tamron and Tokina making some superb glass now.

Canon have the edge over Nikon for consumer glass, and certainly with the IS vs VR range, but go to £800+ glass and they're pretty equal IMO.

In terms of features the 350D and D70 are pretty equal. 8MP on the 350D, but the lack of true spot metering would mean it dropped from my list. The D50 would be dropped for lack of DOF preview alone. The D70 is a better built camera IMO, and I personally prefer the size. I'd be a little concerned about putting any heavy glass on a 350D (and even the D70 to a lesser extent).

Both Canon and Nikon make some fantastic bodies, of which the 350D and D70s (and D50) are just 3. The most important thing remains not how many MP you have, but how good you are. Rest assured that either of the cameras you mention can probably outperform you.

If you go for the Canon I'd give the deeply average 18-55mm kit lens a swerve and shell out for Sigma's excellent 18-50mm f/2.8 as a minimum. That camera is crying out for better glass than the £50 effort Canon lob in. In that respect the Nikon's 18-70mm DX kit lens destroys the Canon and is certainly worth buying the kit there.

Simple answer - go and play with both. Buy the one you prefer.

[pcookie]

Hey! I didn't mean to tread on any toes, but as always your comments and advice are truly welcome. The answer here seems to be in the lens (apart from the bit about seeing which one feels better etc), which from your comments seems to imply buy a body only and then get a better lens. Okay, but why the comment about Canon having a wider choice of lenses? Surely all third party lenses fit either Canon or Nikon? (I sense more worms approaching) I don't see the advantage one way or the other. If I was to go down the body only route, which is the best type of all round lens to start off with? I can see hours of expensive fun cheesing off the wife.

thanks, Cookie

[kenlynch]

Third party lenses are generally made for both Nikon and Canon and for most things you won't have trouble finding a lens to suit your needs for either camera. I think Canon's own range does offer more choice than Nikon's own range, especially for more specialised purposes.

As for an 'all round lens' most people would class this as a wide to medium telephoto lens. On a 35mm film SRL this would be probably something like a 24-100mm, but because most DSLRs use a sensor that is slightly smaller than 35mm then you actually need something like an 18-70mm to give the same effect.

[senu]

The D70 and 350D are both good cameras and I ended up with the 350D +(batterygrip) because i had a 35 mm film canon eos with an extra lens and thought that was an advantage and I have to agree: the kit lens on the 350d is usable but underwhelming compared to nikons kit lens.Beyond that, you can get used lenses for either camera on e-bay for a song
Autofocus on the 350 is rather good and very quick with the usm lens . I have had no problems that werent related to user error.
If the camera appears to be struggling, manual focus is always there: it is an SLR! .If there are any deficiencies you will learn a workaround in day to day use.
Unsharp mask will correct any softness issues. Im surprised your friend with the 20D( £3-400) dearer doesnt realise just how similar the electronics in both cameras are.I tested the 20D and though better built ( has more "presence") did not justify (to me ) the extra expense

Whats a nice car? a merc , a bmw .. a bentley.. a Jaguar.. a Lexus.. .Go figure.Even Jeremy Clarkson has no straight answers there!!

Go in to Jessops, with a compact flash card and take pictures of identical scenes on either camera on the auto setting . If possible with equivalent 3rd party lenses . You can them compare the feel of the cameras and see firsthand the pics output. I suspect that identical pictures from either camera after skillfull editing would hide the identity of which camera took which. Jessops will price match too if you then decided to buy from them and felt thier costs were high. I tested the 300d , D70, 20D, 350D and even the Fujifilm 7000 ( ihad a 602 z) at Jessops without obligation before buying the 350D

On the Canon versus Nikon thing, there are some differences in philosophy. Nikon tend to commit to long term decisions. You can put a 1960 Nikon lens on your D70; they have contrived to keep the mount compatible through half a dozen generations of cameras. In the same 50 years, Canon (and Pentax, Olympus etc) have used quite a few incompatible lens mounts. Nikon explicitly commited to DX format sensors, in the knowledge that full frame sensors would be possible with higher pixel counts for the first five years or so.

I think we have to concede that Canon is often a bit ahead of Nikon with features, but we are talking a few months here, so it is only really important if you constantly replace your equipment with the latest.

I have a D70, but the choice was made 30 years ago when I switched from Pentax to Nikon! Starting out now, I think it might be Canon. One camera body (with ever improving sensors) is only a transitory part of your equipment over a lifetime. You will likely have much more invested in lenses, flash and other equipment.