Canon EOS 30 vs Nikon 80

don´t know whether you are familiar with Nikon SLR´s but I hope

some of you are, but I was wondering which one would be a better

choice.

The cameras I am thinking of are Canon Elan7E/EOS 30 and a

comparable Nikon camera, I think F80/N80 could be considered as

Elan´s adversary in but I would also like to hear if you think any

other Nikon camera is maybe the better to compare to the Elan.

 

This would be a sort of travel camerea(the either one of them) and

used for landscape photograph and something which that is more uniqe

than "shooting" it with a digital camera.

No real difference: You, the picture-taker will make the difference. Unless you are a highly skilled photographer, the type of camera won't be the determining factor for your images. There are many folks on this netsites who post great images taken with less than superb equipment, some of it old and crotchety.

johns right there is no real differance for you, but canon has faster auto focous on less expencive lenses. sence we are in a canon forum i have to say go canon.

It is very much a question of your photographic future: by buying any camera body you choose also your lens mount thus choosing group of compatible lenses and accessories. So always think twice.

 

If the only question is which of the two cameras: I'd choose the Nikon, but I would never come to this dilema. I just don't like any of them. Both are good, but... I like Elan II far more (brighter viewfinder, correct metering w/ manual lenses, more functions accessible via dials on top deck).

 

BTW:

Elan:

+ Rear control dial controls exposure compensation or aperture

- dim viewfinder

- incorect metering w/ manual lenses

- poor low light AF

+ many lenses w/o compatibility problems

+ BP w/ additional shutter release

+ HS Sync w/ EX flashguns

 

Nikon:

+ grid in VF

+ bright VF

+ better lo light AF

- no metering w/ old Nikkor manual lenses

- max 1/125 X-sync

 

I recommend you to read this:

http://www.photozone.de/2Equipment/canoncamera.htm

http://www.photozone.de/2Equipment/nikoncamera.htm

 

After this, it's only the question of personal preferrence - which one YOU like more. You can't make a mistake w/ any of these bodies. And remember: "it is the photographer who takes the picture" and "the glass makes the picture, the body is just a box where you put the film" so buy cheaper body and more great glass (I'd choose primes...).

 

Good luck.

To my mind each of the bodies is a good choice-I tried the Nikon with this terrific 24-120mm lens (+image stabilizer!!),but: it's too small for my hands! So, "Try them on" ;-) or: wait for the new 30/33V (will be lauched in Europe in March/April). You'll get more information here:

http://www.eos-magazine.com/

Went through the same exercise back when these two were first introduced. In the end the body difference were negligible. Some things favored Nikon, some Canon. I went with Canon due to the fact I liked the USM line better. Nothing's happened since to make me think I made the wrong decision, although I now use the EOS 3 for film and Digital Rebel when the digital urge grabs me.

Take a look at the systems for each. The lenses are probably going to make more of a difference in your choice than the small differences between these two bodies.

Canon: Lenses, USM, better AF system, bigger camera, faster rewind, QUIET CAMERA!, MLU (Mirror Lock-Up),

 

Nikon: Smaller more compact, cheaper accessories, better low light AF (-1EV vs. Canon 1EV minimum), spot meter.

 

I bought the Canon, because it felt right in my hand, and the system is what I have been using for years (FD not EOS). You need to try them both in a store. Check them out at the same time, try a few lenses, if they will let you (and they should).

 

Cheers,

I think the party starting this thread would probably be off best by buying an Olympus stylus point and shoot and saving himself the $$$.

In response to Sean's comments about quiet cameras, non-swm (AFS) lenses in the Nikon line are loud make them loud focussers, but if you get the AFS they are comparable. Comparing the camera bodies, I think that they are about the same degree of quiet.

 

Comparing the systems at the next level however, once you move to comparing the EOS 3 and the F100, the difference is huge. EOS 3 is a great camera, but is very loud compared to the Nikon counterpart (also a very nice camera - but missing some of 3's features).

To me it was simple. I went into a shop, asked for a 30 and the F80. I played with them for a minute or two and the 30 felt much better in my hands. They both have more or less the same features. Go to a shop and play with them for a while.

The only way I can access these cameras is if I drive a 400 km and there the prize is twice higher than if I buy online, so I can only base my decision on the specifacations of the cameras and other people´s opinions.

Had an N80 - sold it and bought an EOS Rebel 2000 because the focusing speed of the Nikon was pathetic.

<P> It's the same old question - "which camera body should I buy ?" - and the same old answer. It's not the specific body which counts or the specific features it contains, it's "Which system is better for YOU ?". Changing a system is a very costly move so I advise you to this check well. I believe that for most amateur photographers, every system will do. However, if you really want to make this a serious hobby than Canon and Nikon have the largest selection of lenses and accessories. If you are interested in a DSLR, it's again those two, each will let you choose from several models. Pentax just made it's first DSLR and it seems to be an entry level one. </P>

 

<P>Now, Canon or Nikon ? </P>

 

<P> In addition to what's written <a href="http://www.photofocus.com/zine7/backtocanon.html">here</a>, <a href="http://photonotes.org/articles/beginner-faq/general.html#which">here</a>, <a href="http://photonotes.org/articles/why-canon/">here</a>, <a href="http://www.photo.net/equipment/35mm/canon-v-nikon">here</a> and <a href="http://www.photozone.de/bindex2.html">here</a> (click on CANON vs. NIKON ? WHAT ABOUT MINOLTA ? AND PENTAX ?) I'd say that there is one major reason to prefer Canon over Nikon. When Nikon releases a new line of lenses, some of their features are not fully compatible with older bodies e.g. you have no light-meter readout or VR does not work. And "older" can be just 3-5 years old. See <a href="http://www.nikonlinks.com/unklbil/bodylens.htm">here</a> for details. Useful even though VR and DX lenses are not listed. This can be VERY annoying and completely not understandable to anybody living in EOS land. Here, things are much more simple. Any EOS camera is fully compatible with any EF lens*. Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to say something silly like "Canon is better than Nikon". I only say that life can be much easier in EOS land. </P>

 

<P> There are some minor reasons as well. For example, Canon's USM is much more abundant than Nikon's AF-S and generally cost less. Canon's IS is much more abundant than Nikon's VR. While optical quality is about the same, an advanced technology can be a very nice and handy thing. A note, to me they are the minor ones but for others consider them as major issues. It's what's right to YOU. </P>

 

<P> And if you do not want to ever mount an MF lens on your AF body, Canon have a larger selection of AF lenses. For landscape and buildings (straight ones, that is) you can't beat the 24/3.5 TS-E L. Some Nikon users bought an EOS body just to be able to use this lens. Others did so in order to get IS on their longest primes (e.g. 300/2.8 and 600/4). </P>

 

<P> MLU (Mirror lock up) is very handy feature for tripod shots. It is very rare in Nikon's AF bodies (I think that only the F4 and F5 has it) while is abounded in the EOS line. </P>

 

<P> Another unique feature of the Canon system is DEP mode. DEP mode allows you to designate near-far points of focus and the camera sets depth of field between those two points. In DEP mode, you merely focus on the nearest point you want sharp, then you focus on the farthest point you want sharp, then you re-compose your picture and the camera sets aperture, shutter, and focus to achieve the depth of field you designated. </P>

 

<P> Combine all the above with the fact that Canon's prices are generally the same as or less then Nikon's and you begin to understand the EOS dominance in recent years. </P>

 

<P> Remember that after you buy the body you invest large sums of money in lenses, flash etc. Thus, swapping a system is a very costly move so I advise you to first look carefully into the pros and cons of each system and then - and only then - choose the system which best suites your needs. From now on, choosing the right body is much easier. </P>

 

<P> Remember, though, that no system is perfect. Yes, although I am an EOS user and fan, I do not think it is perfect. I think it is the best one for me. Each system has its pros and cons and you have to decide which is more suitable to you. Here are a few examples. </P>

 

<P> 1. Canon and Nikon have the largest selection of accessories. Does that mean that you will not be happy with Pentax or Minolta ? Of course not. They have enough to make almost any amateur happy. </P>

 

<P> 2. Canon's AF is considered to be superior to any other brand. This means a lot to the professional photographer but what does it mean to the average amateur ? Just another thing to consider. </P>

 

<P> 3. Nikon's flash metering is considered to be superior to Canon's. So what ? Take a look at any flash photo and try to guess which body did the photographer used. Any success ? No ? Why am I not surprised ? Because a good picture relates heavily on the photographer side. It's not what you have, it's how well you know its pros and cons. How and when to exploit the formers, how and when to override the latters and in what way. When to switch metering modes, when to bounce the flash, when to use a different focal length for a different perspective etc. I think you got the point. </P>

 

<P> Whatever you choose, shoot a lot and be happy.</P>

 

<P> Happy shooting , <br>

Yakim.</P>

 

<P> * The only exception is the EF-S 18-55 which can be used only with the 300D. </P>

 

<P> BTW, both bodies are very good. Choose the right system (and, naturally, good lenses) and any of them will give you many satisfactory moments and pictures. </P>

<P> P.S. You do realize that you are asking this in an EOS forum, do you ? You won't find many people here that will advise you to go with Nikon :-) </P>