Canon 50D or Nikon D90

[photobugg]

perhaps you'd like to share a bit more info so we can be more specific with our advice.
Otherwise you'll just get a lot of "go for the 50D" or "go for the d90", and I'm not sure how helpful that is.

What have you gotten out of your search on the various digital camera comparisons on many reputable sites? Are any particular features of greater importance to you?
I rank ergonomics highly.
As much as I like the build quality of the xxD series of Canons, I couldn't quite overcome my misgivings about the placement of the on/off switch, at the bottom right of the LCD screen. I couldn't grab the camera out of the bag, and turn it on in 1 quick action.
Also, operating the wheel didn't feel natural to me.

These are just my opinions of course. You might feel totally different about these than me.

Agreed. The technical quality of modern DSLRs are pretty close. Probably you won't be able to tell which picture is taken with which camera. So, the more important thing would be usability and lens choice in my opinion.

A good DSLR to YOU should be one that YOU don't need to struggle to understand how to operate and that changing settings should be simple enough for YOU. Different people have different preference. So some like the Canon dial while others prefer Nikon's five way buttons. It's really up to you.

Lens choice is an important area to consider also. Look at the lenses that are available and see which brand suits your needs better. You've got to look beyond the kit lens because one day you may want to expand your arsenal with more specialised lenses.

 

[79hanz]

Hi, I also had this question when I wanted to buy a DSLR, in the end brought the D90 to save $$$ to buy accessories and lenses.
So like many bros here, the more important thing is the glass... happy deciding.

 

[tunge]

It was the opposite for me, i was all set to buy Canon 50D, but i ended up buying the D90, because of ergonomics, it just fit right into my hands. So my suggestion to TS is, stop reading reviews, go to some shops and test both cameras, anyway, you won't go wrong either way.

i was exactly like u too... just like the feel of the D90 so much better...

but yah so it's very impt to handle the actual body... just comparing specs is insufficient

 

[pawpaw23]

I also face this issue when buying my 2nd dslr cam.

I keep on comparing d90 and 50d for 3 weeks.. Then one of my friend asked my budget, i say 2k, then he asked me if you buy 50d kit what can you get? 50d + 18-55mm + bag + card.
Then he asked me, if you buy d90 with your 2k what can u get? d90 + 18-105mm + lowepro bag + card + filter + 50mm 1.8 or sb600(++ 50$ more).

Then at the end, i buy d90, i get an extra setup for my 2k.

Just sharing my experience...

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

I also face this issue when buying my 2nd dslr cam.

I keep on comparing d90 and 50d for 3 weeks.. Then one of my friend asked my budget, i say 2k, then he asked me if you buy 50d kit what can you get? 50d + 18-55mm + bag + card.
Then he asked me, if you buy d90 with your 2k what can u get? d90 + 18-105mm + lowepro bag + card + filter + 50mm 1.8 or sb600(++ 50$ more).

Then at the end, i buy d90, i get an extra setup for my 2k.

Just sharing my experience...

hahaha like that, if you had chosen pentax instead, you would be able to get EVEN MORE gear for your $$ hor?

 

[pawpaw23]

hahaha like that, if you had chosen pentax instead, you would be able to get EVEN MORE gear for your $$ hor?

Hahaha.. But Pentax is not shortlisted in my list.:bsmilie:

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

I also face this issue when buying my 2nd dslr cam.

I keep on comparing d90 and 50d for 3 weeks.. Then one of my friend asked my budget, i say 2k, then he asked me if you buy 50d kit what can you get? 50d + 18-55mm + bag + card.
Then he asked me, if you buy d90 with your 2k what can u get? d90 + 18-105mm + lowepro bag + card + filter + 50mm 1.8 or sb600(++ 50$ more).

Then at the end, i buy d90, i get an extra setup for my 2k.

Just sharing my experience...

I was just doing the mental math:

1) D90 + 18-105 kit : $1600+
2) 50/1.8 : $180+
3) SB600 : $300+

assuming the SD card and bag come with the D90kit, that still leaves you over your 2K budget. How you managed to get all those with $50 spare?

 

[blurboiboi]

I was just doing the mental math:

1) D90 + 18-105 kit : $1600+
2) 50/1.8 : $180+
3) SB600 : $300+

assuming the SD card and bag come with the D90kit, that still leaves you over your 2K budget. How you managed to get all those with $50 spare?

he mention 50mm 1.8 OR the sb600 ya??..

 

[redmonsoon]

it's not a downside for D90. if you want video recording, choose a video recorder which will do a better job, why a SLR?

Video recording in a DSLR is priceless for some situations..
Compare A: A photo of a child with mouth open titled " My child's Ist words"
And B: " A video of that child speaking his/her Ist words"...

Its different lah..

 

[DrSpock]

Video recording in a DSLR is priceless for some situations..
Compare A: A photo of a child with mouth open titled " My child's Ist words"
And B: " A video of that child speaking his/her Ist words"...

Its different lah..

Wah redmonsoon is doing very good:thumbsup: marketing for D90 but it make really good sense hor:bsmilie:
The force on the Dark side is strong:devil:

 

[BizEngine]

I wish to experiment with D90 someday. I was beside a Canon 50D user while he was shooting, I could hear the shutter speed was really fast while he snap in multiple mode.

Irregardless of whether it's D90 and 50D, I believe with passion and the love with your equipments, you will produce stunning photos. I wish someday I can also do the same.

You are the best!

 

[NewbieInCS]

Please go to a shop and test out both the camera. I was in the same situation as you a while back. I was almost set to buy the d90 because the 18-105 kit was $150 cheaper than the 50d 18-55 kit, which means I can pay less and still get a better kit lens. Furthurmore, the d90 claims to have better high iso and video mode. However, I got the 50d after trying out both at the shop.

Although a lot of people say the nikon egronomics, buttons and dials are well placed, I was lost and confused when I first handled the d90. In addition, to me the menu are not quite intuitive. Had a bit of issues trying to change the settings. Then the shop passed me a 50d to try and I was like OMG, this is much easier to work with. The joystick, the big big wheel and most importantly, the zoom in zoom out button for reviewing of photos is on the right, which is where my few pns have it. Everything just felt so natural and I was already snapping happily at the shop w/o needing any help from the sales person.

Though most people hate it, but I really like the on/off swtich and big wheel dial position on the 50d, coz they are just in the right position for my right thumb. Also, when you get a vertical grip, the big wheel ends up in the exact same position, whether you are in landscape mode and portrait mode. However, I feel that people with smaller hands will probably find the wheel and swtich really out of place on the xxd.

For a $2000 budget, you should be able to get a 50d+18-55+50/1.8+2x4gb CF+tiny canon bag.

 

[pawpaw23]

zerocool please read my post again, i say 50mm 1.8 OR sb600 (++ 50$ more). by the way ++50$ more means additional $50 to be exact.
thanks. i have my receipt with me so i know the price..

I was just doing the mental math:

1) D90 + 18-105 kit : $1600+
2) 50/1.8 : $180+
3) SB600 : $300+

assuming the SD card and bag come with the D90kit, that still leaves you over your 2K budget. How you managed to get all those with $50 spare?

 

[hoppie]

Hahaha.. But Pentax is not shortlisted in my list.:bsmilie:

wow, like that you can consider Sony too, i got 3lens (15-55mm kit, 50f1.8 potriat, 75-300mm Tele/macro) + 2 batt + 2yrs extended warranty + A330 Body + Bag + filters + tripod + 8GB SD + 8GB Memory stick for under $1.4k

But of cause the D90 is a better Body If i only got $2k budget.........................500D or 50D for me!

 

[Bellaraphon]

just to share my process.

I contemplated for a few months before buying. Tested it at shops, read reviews, tested at shops some more......

Ergonomics wise, i just did not like the D90 as much as my ex D70. The feel and weight is not there. I have big hands and the grip on D90 was a tad small for my hands. Also, it doesn't feel as solid as the 50D. I find the weight is like 500D.

technical wise, i find both almost the same (other than the minor stuff), except the D90 has built-in video capability and 50D do not have.

Lastly, personal opinion. 50D is made in Japan and 2 of my friends own a D90. Dun wanna be another D90 user and i trust the QC from MIJ's stuff. Would have gotten D3s, if not for the good deal for 50D.

 

[ghost04]

me also did a comparison between 50D n D90...
google search there is a website side by side review on these 2 cameras...
on the actual day wanna try 50D but last pc sold to someone in front of me so stick to D90...
for my budget i got more than if i pick the 50D body...(my D90 also just the body only mix n match no kit)

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

zerocool please read my post again, i say 50mm 1.8 OR sb600 (++ 50$ more). by the way ++50$ more means additional $50 to be exact.
thanks. i have my receipt with me so i know the price..

oh damn... I need glasses... :embrass:
so sorry for the oversight! I thought you got a really good deal, that's all!

 

[ijnek]

for me, no options at all...
cos i'm a nikon guy when it comes to dslr...

for pns, i will still take canon...cos i find the menu easy to use(which i am not the user most of the time), yet to try a nikon pns....