<p>Does anybody have an opinion on Canon (Rebel XT or 20D) vs Nikon (D50, D70 or D70s)?</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.dpreview.com%5B/url%5D”>http://www.dpreview.com</a> should be your first stop for independent evaluations. The problem with most personal user evaluations is that they begin: “I have a xxxx dSLR and really like it” typically without any comparative information.</p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Bill</p>
<p>DISCLAIMER: Opinionated comments below, from S who owns both digital and film SLRs and makes heavy use of them. (Note that he works with high density/quality files when working in digital media.)</p>
<p>“OKay, one must not buy Nikon digital SLRs until they unlock their RAW data files. They’ve taken the official position that they encrypt all their higher quality data files straight out of the camera, and they can only be easily (/legally) interpreted by their own camera software. Which is a very very bad thing for photographers who, say, want to convert everything to a long-term format like Adobe’s Digital Negative dng format.”</p>
<p>This may not be relevant to your situation or needs, but it might be interesting to note.</p>
<p>I have a Nikon D70 and never had the slightest trouble using RAW files or converting them to whatever other format I wanted. For most of what I shoot high quality jpg is good enough as it is, so even that doesn’t matter. YMMV</p>
<p>One problem with giving advice is that it helps to know what kind of photography you intend to do with the camera. D-SLRs are great for people who want complete or nearly complete control over what they’re shooting and how have needs complex enough that they need the freedom to change lenses. </p>
<p>All that control and freedom come with a price, both in money and learning curve, but if that’s what you need, you probably should consider the Canon. What people are learning about digital cameras is that they’re a lot like PCs, they’re great when they come out, but there’ll be a much better one along in two or three years. Rather than get excited about the camera body, consider the family of lenses that match them. That’s where most of your expense would be, and the camera firms make sure that old lenses can be used when you trade cameras. Most of the time.</p>
<p>Right now, Canon has the edge on lenses and a couple of other elements in the camera itself, notably noise. On the other hand, their cameras are usually made with plastic bodies and don’t feel right in some photographer’s hands. Do as suggested above, read the reviews at DP Review and go to a camera store and try them both out. Both Nikon and Canon take superb photos, btw.</p>
<p>Most folks don’t need that much camera, of course. There are several high end “prosumer” level cameras that come with high grade zoom lenses and features such as image stablization that aren’t found on either Nikon or Canon unless you pay considerably more for high end lenses More amatures need image stablization than complete control over ever aspect of their photo taking. </p>
<p>Look at the reviews on the high end Panasonics at DP Review, too. That would probably be the direction I would go if I were doing it over.</p>
<p>I’ve been trying to educate myself on dpreview for the past few weeks, a tough job for a point-n-shoot person! DH has an old Canon AE1 with a variety of lenses and filters. He enjoyed “artistic” photography in his own darkroom. Then we got a few digital point-n-shoot cameras and he enjoys working with them on digital software programs. It is really just a hobby of his that I would like to get up to date. To that end, maybe the Canon 20d would be best for longevity? I can’t spend $2K, but nor do I want to spend $600 on a camera that will soon be “outgrown”. What to do, what to do…</p>
<p>PS - I will check on the panasonics, too. Would allegiance to old Canons carry over to a new digital camera? Should I stick with that brand or is it okay to switch?</p>
<p>PPS - Too bad the old Canon fd lenses don’t work on the new EOS bodies :(</p>
<p>I have a Nikon D50 dSLR and really like it. There! I said it!</p>
<p>I bught one for my D who is an art student. Good from a price/erpformace prspective. $600 include zoom. backwards compatible with most Nikon lenses. New digital series of lenses are inxempensive but not backwards compatible with film based SLRs.</p>
<p>Think the Canon picuture supports a higer mega pixel level.</p>
<p>My brother in law has a Canon Digital Rebel. He really likes it ;)</p>
<p>i love my rebel. i probably stayed with canon for the compatability of my lenses. i have had my camera for slightly over one year–taken about 8500 pictures–it has more than paid for itself by not having every single shot developed!</p>
<p>The debate between Canon and Nikon has raged for years. In the end, it is a matter of individual preferences as the cameras will work equally well. For most people the decision hinges on their previous investment in lenses. </p>
<p>I have the $1000 version of the Digital Rebel -actually I HAD it because my mom has used her maternal powers to appropriate it- and it is (was) a pleasure to work with. The Canon lenses work very well, the battery life is nice, and the screen works well despite some limitations for people used to less complex digital cameras. </p>
<p>Regarding the bodies, I believe that Canon will find more happy customers among the … ladies. Men with large fingers might prefer bodies that are a bit beefier. One last thing … be prepared to budget for the fastest memory card available.</p>
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<p>From what I’ve read, I wouldn’t worry about loyalty when it comes to D-SLRs and point-and-shoots. That said, in the mid range point-and-shoots, Canon has some fine cameras. I have the old A70. A friend has it’s replacement, the A520. Both take remarkable shots as do the other cameras in that family.</p>
<p>Panasonic just seems to the best combination of lense and features in the next level up, the prosumer cameras.</p>
<p>It is a shame that Canon didn’t retain compatibility between lenses the way Nikon did. I bought Nikon primarily so I could use some lenses my wife has. Lense compatibility is likely to be another problem for Canon owners in a few years, too. They’ve just introduced a D-SLR with a larger 35mm sensor. The technical benefits are debatable, but it’ll probably be a big seller anyway. The problem with that is that lenses for older D-SLRs won’t work with it, they’re designed for smaller sensors. </p>
<p>If things go like it appears they might, at some point just a few years down the road, Canon will probably be introducing that sensor through out their line and will probably have to decide how long to support the older lenses. Worse, if you’ve invested a lot in those lenses already, you have to start over on what could be a sizable investment. Makes the choice a bit tougher.</p>
<p>Nikon appears adamant that they don’t see the advantages of the larger sensor and don’t plan to follow suit, but marketing always wins out over technology. We might all be facing a similar need to replace lenses sooner than we’d like.</p>
<p>BTW, I read that we shouldn’t get that excited about the differences between the number of pixels in modern digital cameras. Most cameras have the same basic resolution, 300 dpi, so that having more pixels simply means that you can print larger photographs. After 5 or 6 megapixels, you’re probably printing as large as most people care. Equally important, pixels versus photo size is basically a square function, which means that the difference between 6 megapixels versus 8 megapixels only comes out roughly 25% larger. You do get what you pay for, but you might not really have any use for the extra pixels.</p>
<p>I do understand that Canon has a slight edge on resolution over Nikon, but it’s probably not noticable to most folks. Again, YMMV</p>
<p>I’m not a parent, but I did use a Rebel XT for a class last semester!
The communication department at my school exclusivly uses Rebels and Rebel XTs for photography classes, and they’ve held up very well.<br>
I used it over a weekend for a night shooting assignment and was very impressed. The controls were the simillar to my normal Canon a95, the image quality was great, auto and manual focus worked well, the size and weight were great… I really can’t say enough good things about it! It was a pure joy to use and I was really sad when I had to give it back!</p>
<p>I know my photography prof. has a high-end Nikon dSLR for his studio work and has had some problems with it. He’s planning on getting a Canon when he replaces it.</p>
<p>I shoot a Canon 20D, both above and underwater. dSLRs have are a joy to work with. Choose which system you want to go with based on the lenses. Camera bodies come and go, lenses are here to stay. Both Nikon and Canon make very nice systems. PM for my posted pictures.</p>
<p>I have the Canon 350 (XT). As far as I can tell it will take just as great (or poor) a picture as the 20D, depending on the photographer and the lens. The main advantages to the 20D seem to be a more durable body and faster focusing. My XT got hit by a soccer ball at close range and knocked onto the ground. It still seems to work fine. Unless you are a semi-professional photographer or have ambitions to become one soon, I think the XT is just fine.</p>
<p>I know people who have the Nikon D70 and like it a lot, too. My impression is that the kit lens that comes with the D70 is better quality than the 18-55 kit lens that usually comes with the XT/20D. The usual advice from photographers is 1) it is the photographer who makes the most difference, not the camera and 2) get the best glass (lens) you can afford.</p>
<p>Are there any advantages to either the Nikon or the Canon system of lenses? I guess the uncertainty of future compatability is a question that is always out there. How about the quality and cost of each brand, extra features, or other factors that I may not be aware of?</p>
<p>And, if you can stand another question, what is the advantage of RAW vs JPEG? Can all formats be used on both Nikon and Canon systems or does RAW=Nikon and jpeg=Canon?</p>
<p>I guess I’m just looking for a system that offers the most flexibility for future uses. Please guide a novice!</p>
<p>JPEG will compress the data. RAW is most useful for digital editing.</p>
<p>As far as camera life, figure on a new one every 2-3 years. Digital cameras have been improving very rapidly. A few years ago a $400 camera had 2 mpx. Now there are much better cameras with 5-7 mpx that cost about $200 and the top cameras have 8-12 mpx.</p>
<p>From what I understand, a camera can shoot on either RAW or JPEG formats, right? One would choose jpeg for a quick print or email photo, while raw would be better for detailed editing of the shot (?)</p>
<p>Any opinion on quality or variety in lenses systems, as they will likely be around a lot longer than the camera body?</p>
<p>Also take a look at <a href=“DVD Talk Forum”>DVD Talk Forum;
<p>if you have not already (reviews are pretty thorough and you can compare picture quality for yourself)</p>
<p>Try also this:
<a href=“http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/D50/D50A3.HTM[/url]”>http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/D50/D50A3.HTM</a></p>
<p>Both Nikon and Canon make fine lenses and are likely to be in the camera and lens business for a long time.</p>
<p>If you want to spend a lot of time and effort with a digital photo editing program like Photoshop on one picture at a time (like portraits or wedding photography) you might want to use the RAW format. Some cameras (Canon, for example) let you save a RAW format file and a JPEG file at the same time. For most photographers JPEG is fine. I understand that most professional news and sports photographers use JPEG format, as it is faster to save to memory cards, many more shots can saved per card, and can be edited more quickly than RAW files.</p>
<p>There is lots of information on the web. I recommend <a href=“http://www.kenrockwell.com%5B/url%5D”>www.kenrockwell.com</a> for a perspective oriented to the Nikon system and <a href=“http://www.bobatkins.com%5B/url%5D”>www.bobatkins.com</a> for a perspective on the Canon system. But there are many other useful sites out there as well.</p>
<p>Thank to everyone for the advice and web references!</p>
<p>This is the review site I like the best. His reviews are easy to understand but have all the info you need, lots of test photos and was actually the decideding factor in me getting my beloved a95.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.dcresource.com/[/url]”>http://www.dcresource.com/</a></p>