Help: Canon/Nikon experts help needed!

[kelccm]

You cant compare these 2 lenses. The nikon is a fixed aperture while the canon is not.:nono:

Isn't the average of 3.5-4.5 = 4 :bsmilie: Ha ha....

 

[madmacs]

go with either 400d or d80. personally i would recommend the d80 since nikon's kit lenses are much better compared to canon's. as you move on to more advanced lenses, it doesnt really make much diff since both will be expensive.

 

[theyanyouknow]

so what? they are still the widest zooms each maker has.. ken rockwell didnt have any issue in comparing them...iirc he said he would have the canon.

Easy, I was't trying to say nikon is better than canon or anything. I just merely pointed out the main difference that is making lenses cost more b'cos of the ability to maintain a fixed aperture over a zoom range. Relax. :sweat:

 

[maddyks]

so what? they are still the widest zooms each maker has.. ken rockwell didnt have any issue in comparing them...iirc he said he would have the canon.

Ken rockwell??? Man you could have picked anyone else. Where is my bucket of salt?

 

[maddyks]

Isn't the average of 3.5-4.5 = 4 :bsmilie: Ha ha....

:sweat:

 

[gryphon]

if you are low on budget, just want something basic, go with Nikon & the kit lens.
Canon kit lens simply sucks compared to Nikon's kit lens.

But if you plan to upgrade in future, spend on better lens, Canon has more lens & their f4 L lens (17-40 & 70-200) are really good value for $.

Canon has great control of noise when using high ISO.
To me, Nikon metering is better & their flash is cheaper. Wide angle lens also perform better.
Technology wise, Nikon seems to be a step behind Canon.

 

[gryphon]

Ken rockwell??? Man you could have picked anyone else. Where is my bucket of salt?

:bsmilie:

 

[madmacs]

if you are low on budget, just want something basic, go with Nikon & the kit lens.
Canon kit lens simply sucks compared to Nikon's kit lens.

But if you plan to upgrade in future, spend on better lens, Canon has more lens & their f4 L lens (17-40 & 70-200) are really good value for $.

Canon has great control of noise when using high ISO.
To me, Nikon metering is better & their flash is cheaper. Wide angle lens also perform better.
Technology wise, Nikon seems to be a step behind Canon.

actually the plan should be start with nikon & kit lens..then migrate to fuji body & better nikon lenses :bsmilie:

 

[zj2000]

At the end of the day nikon users will tell you to get the d80 and canon users will tell you to get the 400d... So maybe a better option would be to ask in the sony / olympus subforum... at least they're neutral towards C & N... but they might ask you to get a sony or olympus instead

 

[madmacs]

At the end of the day nikon users will tell you to get the d80 and canon users will tell you to get the 400d... So maybe a better option would be to ask in the sony / olympus subforum... at least they're neutral towards C & N... but they might ask you to get a sony or olympus instead

actually i'm a canon/fuji user.. and recommending him to get d80 :bsmilie:

 

[maddyks]

Hi gurus,

First of all, I dunno if this is the right place to ask this question. I want to keep this thread perfectly flameless. I know every time when people compare Canon and Nikon, "fundamentalists" of both camps will start to bicker childishly. I only want to hear your personal opinion. All brands have their pros and cons so I urge all readers/contributor/"brand fundamentalists" of this thread be have an open mind.

I am now in a dilemma of choosing among these 3 DSLRs. Canon 400D, Nikon D40x and Nikon D80. And yes, this is my 1st DSLR so I need to seek advice from you experts. I appreciate all inputs, thank you. I am siding toward the Canon 400D because I notice the 400D have a bigger option for the lenses available to it, I also like the how the cam feels in my hand too. I dunno if judging a DSLR this way is right or wrong, but I do like to have the option to choose more type of lenses in future. Is it true that Canon lenses are more costly than the equivalent Nikon lenses (for the same function, range,.. etc etc.)? I have tried these cams at a camera shop, but still I could not made up my mind on which one to get, 1stly, I like the LCD of the D40x best, it is very bright and crisp and I also notice that the picture taken by the D40x look better than from the 400D. (All test shot were taken from the respective kit lenses) Can I say that the Nikon 18-55mm kit lens is better than the Canon counterpart? The 400D pix seems "dull" from the cam's LCD, though I know pictures display from a DSLR LCD may not appear the same when pix are uploaded and display from a PC monitor. As mentioned, handling wise, I like the 400D. What are the things that you will look for when buying a DSLR?

So I would like to hear you here who have use both of these cam to tell me something about the pix quality of both of these cam. By photo quality I mean saturation, color rendition, exposure accuracy and the sharpness. I know these things are very subjective and different people will have different interpretation, but generally I would like to know your opinion.

Next, I would like to know what is the difference btw D40x and D80? I hope to hear from someone who have actually handle these 2 cams. I heard that D40x cannot do auto focus on certain Nikon lenses because it does not have "motor" built on its lens mount and the D80 will have auto-focus on all Nikon lenses, it is true? Sorry I have never use a DSLR before, can someone explain to me what is the meaning of this.

Lastly, I would also like you to pick one of the 3 cams mentioned stating the reasons. And once again, for those who want to start flame wars please exercise clemency. Please regard all these results as personal opinion. Thank you for all your comments. Glacias!

Hmmm,

I would go with the first reply which said go with the one that feels comfortable in your hand. Nothing can ever be more important than the feeling of the camera.

Don't just look at the kit lens. You can always not buy it and go for a slightly better one. So let the kit lens not be a yardstick to judge your camera buy. Having said that, yes, the Nikon kit lenses are a bit better but I have seen amazing images from the Canon kit lenses too. So, keep your options open.

Nikon is considered to be a bit bad in the noise section at high ISOs. But this seems to be remedied to a decent extent in the newer models. The other stuff would not be so significant if you shoot in RAW.

Some would say the D80 is a watered down D200. Truth be told, I was considering getting it but could not convince a noobie like me to get something so expensive just to learn. So I got a D70 second hand and am quite happy with getting better glass. But again, my personal opinion.

You are right in saying the D40 won't AUTO focus, but you can still do manual. and yes the reason is the motor not being in the camera body. So you can focus the ones with motor in the lens. Shouldn't be a problem as I know a lot of people who do manual focus only and their shots are good too.

So, if you want me to pick one of the above, I would go for the D80 for the simple reason that I like Nikon and the D80 is an awesome camera. But if you think you are going to upgrade very soon (get a D2x, 3x something =P), then a second hand cheaper option for experience sake would be good enough.

Peace

 

[zj2000]

actually i'm a canon/fuji user.. and recommending him to get d80 :bsmilie:

I'm a canon user too.. the only thing about nikon that tempt me is the auto iso... how come canon don hav this function?

 

[madmacs]

I'm a canon user too.. the only thing about nikon that tempt me is the auto iso... how come canon don hav this function?

auto iso? that doesnt tempt me at all. i think my fuji has that but i'm not using it. i would prefer to have control over that.

 

[fz30_user]

was exactly in the same dilemma 2 months back choosing between d80 and 400D. i think it's a no brainer that these two cams are very good. i ended up buying 400D just because of the size. d80 just too big for my hands. i like the size of d40 also but two things i'm looking for was not there - focus motor and bracketing.

 

[ExplorerZ]

was exactly in the same dilemma 2 months back choosing between d80 and 400D. i think it's a no brainer that these two cams are very good. i ended up buying 400D just because of the size. d80 just too big for my hands. i like the size of d40 also but two things i'm looking for was not there - focus motor and bracketing.

you got small hand. I think most will complain that the d40 and 400d are too small for them. :bsmilie:

 

[agape01]

the question then should be...

Do you like to shoot in RAW?

If the answer is Yes? Pick the D80.

If the answer is No? Pick the 400D.

My 2 cents.

 

[noobie]

the question then should be...

Do you like to shoot in RAW?

If the answer is Yes? Pick the D80.

If the answer is No? Pick the 400D.

My 2 cents.

why is it so? I hear the nikon RAW program cost $$$ too. You mean the out in RAW from Nikon is easier to use or the pix quality is better? Which one you meant?

 

[David Chin]

I think there is very little to choose between Nikon D80 and Canon 400D. When you are buying a DSLR, you are buying into a system and as so many have said earlier, there are pros and cons in both systems. At the end of the day, my view is that the photographer will be the biggest single factor influencing the quality of the images captured by either of these capable cameras. As you have said it yourself, the Canon 400D feels better in your hand. If this is the case, go for it and enjoy using the camera. Don't look back and ignore anything that other people may tell you about Nikon being a better camera and that you should got that instead. For myself, I prefer the Nikon D80 as I find the 400D a little too small and light. I don't care if Canon now introduces new range of lenses not available to Nikon users. It is true that Canon has a slightly wider range of lenses but does this really matter as there is more than enough choices in the Nikon range as well? Whatever you choose, stick with it and move on and start taking photos.

 

[lsisaxon]

was exactly in the same dilemma 2 months back choosing between d80 and 400D. i think it's a no brainer that these two cams are very good. i ended up buying 400D just because of the size. d80 just too big for my hands. i like the size of d40 also but two things i'm looking for was not there - focus motor and bracketing.

Focus motor also not there for 400D.. ;p

 

[Rashkae]

Hmmm,

I would go with the first reply which said go with the one that feels comfortable in your hand. Nothing can ever be more important than the feeling of the camera.

I agree. Which is why I got an A100. Feels like it was made for my hand.