Canon or Nikon DSLR

[thewal]

Hi all,

I know this is probably a really touchy subject, but I am looking for some advice.

I am looking at purchasing a DSLR and think that either Canon or Nikon will be my choice, but which. I am a bit of a novice, but I am very interested in photography. I have a Panasonic FZ50 currently. I bought this because it had good photographic and video options.

Anyway, any help would be great

Thanks, Conor

[ether]

Originally Posted by thewal

Hi all,

I know this is probably a really touchy subject, but I am looking for some advice.

I am looking at purchasing a DSLR and think that either Canon or Nikon will be my choice, but which. I am a bit of a novice, but I am very interested in photography. I have a Panasonic FZ50 currently. I bought this because it had good photographic and video options.

Anyway, any help would be great

Thanks, Conor

you will get as many different answers as there are users on this site

the best thing is
(1) look at as many pictures as you can try and guess which brand took it and whether you like the effect

(2) go in to a shop and handle them see if they seem intuitive to you it will make a big difference when you come to take pictures if each button does what you think it will

(3) then buy a Canon

Ed

[bsmith]

Originally Posted by ether

you will get as many different answers as there are users on this site

the best thing is
(1) look at as many pictures as you can try and guess which brand took it and whether you like the effect

(2) go in to a shop and handle them see if they seem intuitive to you it will make a big difference when you come to take pictures if each button does what you think it will

(3) then buy a Canon

Ed

The advice given in stages 1 and 2 are great, and both are very important as a camera must feel good to you. I would also say think about the type of photography you enjoy is it macro or landscape or sport etc etc and look at the lenses available that you may have to add to your kit bag, look at cost, quality and availability. I had to wait a few months to get a lens I wanted because they were so scarce.

(3) then buy a Nikon

The debate is endless and in the end its down to you

Bob

[krennon]

Don't rule out SONY, supersteadyshot inside eliminates the need for "Image Stabilised" lenses which cost more, good legacy as the SONY's will take Konica/Minolta A Mount lenses, more models on the market now, if you hunt around you may be able to pick up a cheapish (£400approx) Sony @350 which has the the tilt screen (ok it's not a full tilt and swivel but still useful) Full proper Live View which is spot on and relatively fast AF....I have been very happy with mine so far....as said go to a shop where you can do a proper touchy feely and see what feels right in your hands...I tried Canon and Olympus and didn't like either of them (both good brands though), SONY and NIKON felt right and I opted for the SONY as at the time it was a slightly better deal.....pays your money and takes your choice as they say but remember there are more than 2 makes out there so don't limit yourself to the CANIKON camps....

[chris-p]

No-one is ever going to agree. I went Nikon because I don't like the ergonomics of the lower end Canons. No other reason. Just that. Oh, and I think they're nicer looking.

The "choose which one has the range of lenses to suit you" argument is, IMO, not relevant. Canon & Nikon have HUGE ranges covering very wide to very long, very fast, cheaper, more expensive etc etc etc.

Buy whichever you can get the best deal on (if there is nothing else to choose between them) and if you're still stuck buy the prettiest one. Still can't decide? Buy Sony, Pentax or Olympus!

[JohnDoyle2]

Well as you can see{I hope] you could be opening a 'Pandora's Box' here. My advise is similar to all the previous posts. However, keep in your mind that what ever make of camera you choose, Lenses will be a very important factor! Once you start spending on these, You will almost certainly be locked into a camera brand!. So choose wisely!!
Yes, Nikon would be a good choice!!!!!!!!!

[chris-p]

Originally Posted by JohnDoyle2

Lenses will be a very important factor! Once you start spending on these, You will almost certainly be locked into a camera brand!

I'm sorry but I take issue with this. I've changed brands and it was pretty painless. You are NEVER locked into a brand. You do invest money in lenses and it is most likely that you won't get it all back but I got over 80% of what I spent on kit back when I sold it. Kit lenses are worth nothing second hand so sell it with the camera.

As for the "Canon or Nikon" question - as we've all said, you're not going to get a definitive answer here. However we'll be able to offer more advice if you could answer the following questions

How much have you got/do you want to spend?

Also, do you have access to any old Nikon or Canon lenses (perhaps an relatives or an old friends) as that could save you a lot of hassle and money?

What sort "level" are you looking at - entry level, mid-range, pro (similar to budget)?

What sort of thing do you want to shoot?

I've said it before and I'll say it again... Your first DSLR is a really tough decision. I changed systems because I learnt more about what I wanted to shoot and how I wanted to shoot it from my first camera. No other reason. Before I bought my first SLR I read all the spec sheets, knew all the tech info but in the end you need to use one (for more than 5 minutes in a shop) to know what you really want/like.
Because of that I think that you can't make a wrong choice for your first SLR. The entry level models are all very good now and you wouldn't be disappointed with any of them.

[JohnDoyle2]

If anyone is contemplating the purchase of a DSLR. I did write 'So choose wisely!!' Yes. you can always sell your first choice and move on! But my opinion is to evaluate what is available and take other opinions, before deciding what to invest in! Otherwise why ask on here!

[thewal]

My budget is around €6/700.

I see that both Canon and Nikon are bringing out camera's for novices like me.

I am not a beginner, but I am not a pro. I think that I have a good eye for a photo, in my opinion.

I suppose I will just have to read all the specs and then come back.

Another question. What are your thoughts about buying a camera abroad?? For instance, if I went over to America and knew what camera I was going for, is it a good or bad idea to buy there. If I had a problem with the camera at home in Ireland, what kind of come back would I have. I know that 99.9% of the time, I wouldn't have a problem.

[ap4a]

If you bought in the US you would, I believe, need to send back to the US if you needed a warranty repair on a camera body. Lenses sometimes have an international warranty, but you'd need to check and make sure that it extends to the UK or Ireland as despite the name it may not be honoured in every country. You also need to make sure that you don't buy grey imports if you want a valid warranty as they likely won't be honoured here and would need to be returned to the retailer too.