Canon 30D or Nikon D80

I am currently in the market for a new DSLR. I have tested (not extensivly)

both the 30D and the D80 and I saw very little difference between the two.

They are both about the same price and I do not have any lenses to influence

my decision. I personally do not think that the extra 2 mega pixels on the

D80 makes that big of a difference. So are there any pros with going with the

30D?

 

I mainly shoot landscape and indoor portraits. I will also be buying a macro

lens to start doing some closeup work. It would be nice to hear from someone

who has used both and some good comments.

 

Thanks

A pro with 8.2mp is better, in most cases, than an amateur with 10mp. This all comes down to knowledge and light. What do you prefer.

 

People will argue Canon is better, others will counter-point that Nikon is better. Others that Olympus or Fuji is. Same with cars, Ford/Dodge/Chevy.

 

Honestly, what feels better in your hand, is more comfortable for you to shoot with, that you can afford, and then you need to think about lenses. Just remember the 30D has a 1.6x crop factor, so take your lens and multiple the focal by 1.6 to get the 35mm equivilent (aka a 100mm lens is really like using a 160mm on a full-frame or film camera).

 

Either one is a great camera, I own Canon stuff and really like them, so I can only suggest Canon from my experiences.

 

Good luck

I haven't used either (I have a Canon EOS 20D). However, FWIW, I believe the Nikon D80 uses only the SD / SD-HC format for storage, whereas the Canon EOS 30D uses only Compact Flash (Type I/II). Some Canon bodies allow you both SD and CF; others just CF. The Nikon D2Xs uses the Compact Flash format. My preference leans towards Compact Flash, because historically they have had larger capacities. However, with the advent of SD-HC, perhaps "the SD camp" will "catch up". How much that matters to you, you'll need to decide.

 

<p>Beyond that, I would suggest you take a look at these reviews of the <a href="http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond80/">D80</a> and <a href="http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos30d/">30D</a>, in order to get a more thorough comparison of the two. However, I would urge you to consider the entire Canon offering to the entire Nikon offering. In other words, it would behoove you to also look at the lenses you anticipate buying, as well as bodies to which you might upgrade at a later date.

The 30D design is essentially almost 3 years old (it's just got a few minor improvements over the 20D), and very likely to be replaced by the spring. The 20D was a clear class leader when it was released, and remained so, but I think that the D80 (and D200 which shares many D80 features - I have used my father's) are better cameras in many ways than the 30D - particularly the viewfinder which is MUCH more useable and in my view crucial, never mind the bells and whistles feature comparisons. The only reasons I'd consider a 30D over the D80 is if you must buy now rather than wait for the 30D's replacement (which may offer some significant improvements), and good high ISO performance or 5fps is essential to the type of shooting you do (doesn't sound like either apply in your case). The Nikon i-TTL flash system offers a number of advantages over Canon's E-TTL II - in particular being able to use the popup to control an off camera flash.

 

I think that you'd have to have some pretty esoteric lens requirements to pick a system on those grounds - and either system could come out ahead, depending on your esoteric needs. Your intended use could be well handled by either system's lenses. It's clear that Nikon have successfully caught up with Canon's crop DSLRs (and in this part of the market overtaken them). Both companies will continue to play leapfrog in the future, and while Canon currently has a clear lead in full frame cameras I think it is reasonable to expect that Nikon will move down that route before too long.

Look at the pros and cons of the whole system, not on pros and cons of the individual bodies. Search. A lot has been written on this subject.

 

BTW, if you are interested in macro then my recommendation is to go for the D80. Reason: Nikon has a 105/2.8 macro VR lens. Canon does not have any macro lens with VR.

 

Happy shooting,

Yakim.

 

 

 

P.S. Do note that you ate posting a Canon vs. Nikon question in a Canon forum....

Funny, I was in a similar position 4 years ago, only I was choosing between similarly named fim cameras: EOS-30 (Elan 7) and Nikon F80. I chose the EOS. Plus I had my 20D for 2 years now - very happy experience however I would've been happy with Nikon as well, had I chose the F80 four years ago.

"A pro with 8.2mp is better, in most cases, than an amateur with 10mp.".

 

I do not agree with this argument. What people tend to forget is that a PRO with a 10mp camera will produce better results than a PRO with a 8.2mp camera.

 

The other argument that I do not agree with is the "more megapixels means more noise", using the rationale that photosites are smaller and therefore produce more noise. There are many other factors that influence noise, and noise performance in dSLR's have generally been improving even as the photosite size has shrunk.

 

Personally, I would go with the camera that feels better in your hand. Also consider the Canon Rebel XTi. That is a newer camera than the 30D.

30D hands down !

the camera bodies are close enough that the choice should come down to the rest of the system. both companies have thick catalogs of general and special purpose lenses, flashes etc. You can't make an informed choice until you are familiar with both, and know what your needs are now and are likely to be in the future.

 

originally I shot Nikon, because I liked the handling of the N80 over the Elan 7 and the glass I could afford was pretty much identical between the two. A while back I went with Canon due to full frame and a number of lenses that Canon had and Nikon didn't (full line of lightweight f4 zooms, full line of fast primes). However Nikon also has a number of outstanding lenses that Canon doesn't and I still prefer Nikon handling.

Yakim Peled , jan 03, 2007; 07:46 a.m.

Look at the pros and cons of the whole system, not on pros and cons of the individual bodies.

 

I second Yakim's opinion. Look at the entire system. Do you have a lot of manaul focus Nikon lens? If you have and intend to use them on the digial nikon bodies, get nikon. Will you consider getting like 85f1.2 and FF bodies in the future? If you answer is yes, get canon. Both systems are good and it depends on how much you will invest and the purpose of your shootings.

Both are great cameras. So you should look at the lenses, you can get for them. In particular I would look at IS/VR-lenses, since this feature is very helpful.

 

As stated above Nikon has the 105/2.8 macro VR lens. So if macro shooting is important, that could be an argument for choosing the D80.

 

On the other hand if indoor portraits are important, Canon offers the 17-55mm f2,8 IS, which you won't find in Nikons lineup.

 

You will find reviews of Canon and Nikon lenses here:

 

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/

 

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/index.html

 

http://www.photographyreview.com/sf-6/mapid-32/befid-96323/nm-20/pgnum-1/dnatrs-zoom_lens/productlistcrx.aspx

Hi,

 

Both Nikon and Canon offer excellent stuff.

 

I'd choose Canon right now for one reason only. They are the only ones offering full frame digital SLRs.

 

Nikon might do so some day, who knows. Up to now, the only full frame D-SLR that could utilize Nikkors has been the now-defunct Kodak DCS.

 

Meanwhile, Canon may be on the verge of expanding their full frame line, perhaps upping things to the point where their top of the line cameras truly rival medium format platform film and digtal cameras.

 

Canon got behind a little this year for a number of reasons. But they pride themselves on being at the head of the pack and I'd be surprised if they didn't respond in a very big way.

"Up to now, the only full frame D-SLR that could utilize Nikkors has been the now-defunct Kodak DCS"

 

...to be precise, you can use any non-G-type Nikkor on any Canon via a $20 adaptor, with manual focus and stop-down metering. The converse is not true.

Hum...

 

What I would recommend is to go out there, rent one after another and try them before you make up your mind.

 

I don't have experience with the D80 but I had a D200.

The D200 is a very nice camera and I like it for:

 

- Buffer (RAW and JPEG)

 

- AF (multiple set ups)

 

- Built in Flash way more power full than the one on my 30D

 

- Lots of functionalities and dedicated buttons for AF, Metering, image size ...

 

- Built in wireless flash control (not on my 30D. you need to buy a controller for that)

 

- Sealings (Not on 30D, but I don't know if the D80 is weather sealed)

 

- Shutter noise (softer than Canon, and can be really handy in some situations: especially when i shoot my little daughter sleeping)

 

- The SB800 is more powerful and recharges faster than my 580EX

 

- Centered LCD and LDC protection v:-) (The one on the 30D is on the left of the body and no protection)

 

- Only 1 DX format (Canon has 3 different formats to deal with in term of FOV)

 

 

About my 30D, I like:

 

- Lens range (Nikon also has an impressive range of lenses too)

 

- Easy to use (the big dial is more handy than the ones on the D200)

 

- PSAM dial (the D200 Mode button is not as convenient IMO)

 

- "Natural movements" (Lens mount, focus, zoom ... clockwise when Nikon is versa -counter clockwise-)

 

 

I found that the AF on the D200 is more accurate than the 30D on hand holding. If you shoot portraits and landscape with tripod, this shouldn't be an issue.

 

Both camera handle noise at high ISO at an acceptable (good) similar level, for my concerns.

And Nikon provides some extra -gadget- functionalities that Canon don't.

i.e. multiple exposure, auto ISO ...

 

 

Well, the best thing for you to do I think is to test them, in shop, or rent them before you buy.

 

 

Good luck.

Here is another angle:

 

If you are in US, you may want to go C instead of N, since you may be able to take advange of Dell's occeasional promotions of 25% + 10% off (even the starting prices are higher, the discounted prices are often lower than those of all on-line stores). Otherwise, go N.

 

BTW Have you posted the same in Nikon forum?

>> Do you have a lot of manaul focus Nikon lens? If you have and intend to use them on the digial nikon bodies, get nikon.

 

The funny thing is that most Nikon DSLR's will not meter at all with a Nikon manual focus lenses mounted on them. Only the D2X, D2H and D200 will do so. On the contrary, each EOS camera will meter correctly in Av and M modes with a Nikon manual focus lenses mounted on it.

 

 

Happy shooting,

Yakim.

I bought my 30D in March last year right after it came out. I had a D200 on order for three months, and I eventually decided I would rather go with Canon. The 30D was available here in Canada on the same day it was released in Japan -- certainly a far cry from Nikon's performance. I also appreciate the fact that Canon USA and Canon Canada have interchangeable warranties on EOS gear. Nikon Canada will not honour the warranties of US-bought equipment, and their prices here are quite a bit higher than the exchange rate.

 

I decided on Canon because of the overall system: large lens selection, USM lenses, more lenses with IS, and especially the warranty issues and possibility of upgrading to a full frame body in a couple of years. I think the D200 is a better camera than the 30D in most respects, and I wish Canon would come out with something as professionally built at that price point. If I were buying a system RIGHT NOW I would take a good hard look at other manufacturers. If I had time to think about it, I would wait until this March to see what Canon has in store.

Read all of the available info on both cameras such as high ISO performance; not just which has lower noise but which retains more detail at high ISO, especially if you're doing portraits or other indoor shooting. To me the best test is to handle both cameras to see how they really feel. Both offer more than enough features to do most photographic jobs that most of us involve ourselves in. Consider also top shutter speed, body construction materials (this may not matter for the kind of shooting you do), frame rate, whether or not the extra megapixels will allow you to crop more--most importantly, consider how each feels in your hand. I got into the Canon system in '94 because the EOS A2 felt better to my big hands than the Nikon N90! Both are superb systems that you can't go wrong with and, honestly, can exceed most of our abilities, so whichever you choose remember that it's a tool to express your photographic vision. Have fun!

 

Andy