DSLR: Nikon versus Cannon

[riz]

Hi,

 

(1) Which Canon DSLR will stack up with Nikon D70s.

(2) Which will be better in overall performance as chosen in point

1.

(3) Can I use Nikon lens in Cannon DSLR body oe vice versa

 

Regards,

 

Riz

[awahlster]

1. All of them

 

2. Sujective based on your skills and needs

 

3. Basically no

[yakim_peled1]

<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?". The camera is the heart of the system so it's important to choose the one which is more suitable to you. I - personally - don't see how any other system can match Canon or Nikon. Those two are in the peak as they have a wealth of lenses, flashes and other accessories no other system can match. Naturally, for the average amateur and with the wealth of third party lenses abundance this may be a moot point. So, here are some <b>system</b> differences between them. </P>

<P>1. All EF (but not <a href="http://photonotes.org/articles/beginner-faq/lenses.html#efs">EF-S</a>) lenses are <a href="http://photonotes.org/articles/beginner-faq/lenses.html#compatibility">perfectly mated</a> with every EOS body. This is <a href="http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/nikon_articles/other/compatibility.html">very different</a> than Nikon. As far as I am concerned, this is the most important issue. </P>

<P> 2. Canon has more AF lenses. BTW, mounting a manual focus lens on an EOS body is <a href="http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-manual-lenses/">a bit of a chore</a>. If this is your goal than Nikon is a much better option. They have a lot of optically excellent MF lenses that can be had for a fraction of the price of their AF counterparts.</P>

<P> 3. Canon has more IS lenses. </P>

<P> 4. Canon has more USM lenses.</P>

<P> 5. Canon has more TS-E lenses.</P>

<P> 6. Prices of comparable items are generally cheaper. Check for the lenses that specifically interest you and compare.</P>

<P> 7. 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> 8. 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> 9. Nikon's flashes are generally considered superior to Canon's but if you don't mind fiddling a bit in <a href="http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/index3.html#fec">FEC</a> and <a href="http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/index3.html#fel">FEL</a>, all equates. Canon flashes made great improvement with the introduction of <a href="http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/#ettl">E-TTL</a> and <a href="http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/#ettlii">E-TTL II</a>.</P>

<P> Search. A lot has been written on that subject. Here are some links for a start. </P>

<P> See <a href="http://www.photofocus.com/showarchive.php?aid=80&cid=5">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/what-camera-should-I-buy#35mmslr">here</a>, <a href="http://www.photo.net/equipment/35mm/canon-v-nikon">here</a>, <a href="http://www.photozone.de/bindex2.html">here</a> (click on CANON vs. NIKON? WHAT ABOUT MINOLTA? AND PENTAX?), <a href="http://www.nikonlinks.com/unklbil/bodylens.htm">here</a> and <a href="http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/nikon_articles/other/compatibility.html">here</a>.</P>

 

<P> Happy shooting , <br>

Yakim. </P>

[stwrtertbsratbs5]

Go into a photo shop and handle the cameras. Yes, the system matters. But so does the camera. Find one that feels good in your hands and that seems to have all of the controls in the right place (for you).

 

I didn't like the Canon DRebel XT - too small for my hands, slippery plastic surface, and it didn't feel well built. This is a purely subjective opinion. The camera may feel right to you. And it does produce nice images. But, hey, I shot a Nikon SLR for 20 years, so the Nikon controls will feel natuaral to me. Long-time Canon users will have a completely different opinion.

 

On the other hand, I could very quickly get used to the Canon 20D. It's an excellent camera, but it is more expensive than the D70s. I wouldn't return the Canon 20D if one showed up under my Christmas tree (feel free to forward this message to my wife). And I'd be happy with the Nikon D70s, too. The Nikon D50 is nice, too, but I'd pass because it doesn't support wireless flash without an additional module.

 

Don't worry about megapixels. You won't see any real difference between 6 and 8 megapixels.

 

Robert

[ellis_vener_photography]

<I>1. All EF (but not EF-S) lenses are perfectly mated with every EOS body. This is very

different than Nikon. As far as I am concerned, this is the most important issue.</I>

<P>All AF Nikon F mount lenses ( equivalent to Canon EF lenses work with all Nikon SLR

and Nikon AF bodies. You can also use all Nikon AI-S lenses (back to the 1970s can be

used with all Nikon DSLR bodies. On the low end D100, D70/70s, D50) these older manual

focus lenses won't couple with the meter.<P><I>

 

2. Canon has more AF lenses.</I><P> not true.<P><I> BTW, mounting a manual focus

lens on an EOS body is a bit of a chore. If this is your goal than Nikon is a much better

option. They have a lot of optically excellent MF lenses that can be had for a fraction of the

price of their AF counterparts.</i><P>True.<P>

 

<i>3. Canon has more IS lenses.</I><P>Also true.<P>

 

<I>4. Canon has more USM lenses.</I><P>Also currently true.<P><I>

 

5. Canon has more TS-E lenses.</I><P>Also currently true. 3 vs. 1<P><i>

 

6. Prices of comparable items are generally cheaper. Check for the lenses that specifically

interest you and compare.</I><P>Not true for the better quality lenses but YP is right

about checkng for the lenses you are interested in.<P>

 

<i>7. 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.

</i><P> Not true about Nikon and Nikons generally do a better job of dampening mirror

slap.<P><I>

 

8. 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.

</I><P>Have you actually used this feature? i have. It wasn't that effective.<P><I>

 

9. Nikon's flashes are generally considered superior to Canon's but if you don't mind

fiddling a bit in FEC and FEL, all equates. Canon flashes made great improvement with the

introduction of E-TTL and E-TTL II.</I><P>Still not quite equal to Nikon's iTTL

especially for multi-flash usage.<P>But these weren't questions R A asked.

[stwrtertbsratbs5]

I've found that both Nikon and Canon offer a wide enough variety of lenses to meet my needs. And they both offer some nice pro-grade lenses (and some junky consumer-grade stuff, as well as decent mid-range lenses).

 

I would give Nikon the edge in wide angle lenses, though. But I could still be happy with either line.

 

Robert

[jimstrutz]

Don't you just love these Nikon vs Canon threads?

<P>

<I>"(1) Which Canon DSLR will stack up with Nikon D70s."</I>

<P>

It seems to me that price and feature wise, the D70 fits nicely between the Canon 350D and 20D. Neither one is a direct equivalent, but both compete with it.

<P>

<I>"(2) Which will be better in overall performance as chosen in point 1." </I>

<P>

I think this depends on what features you value most. Spot metering, mirror lock, flash features, specific lens selection, resolution, etc.

<P>

<I>"(3) Can I use Nikon lens in Cannon DSLR body oe vice versa"</I>

<P>

You can use a Nikon lens on a Canon body with a simple lens adapter, but not the other way around. However, there are some serious things you give up by adapting the Nikon lens to Canon body; no autofocus, no auto aperture. Even old Nikon lenses that don't meter on the D70, will meter fine on the 350D/DRebel XT, but you will have to do this metering in stop down mode. The only way this becomes usefull is if you have some very good old Nikon glass and you don't have a Nikon camera. And since you won't have auto control of the aperture this doesn't work with G type Nikors.

<P>

If the D70 is the only Nikon to choose from I would probably pick either of the Canon's, but this is based on what I want in a camera, and lots of people have chosen differently. I also think Nikon is about due to upgrade the D70, and that would probably change things. But then, the 20D's replacement is expected in the next few months too.

<P>

I would not rule out the offerings from either Pentax or Konica-Minolta. Specifically, the Minolta 5D or 7D, because they have Image Stabilization built in. If I was starting over right now, I'd get the 7D. It has no shortage of good lens & flash choices, and the IS is a killer app.

[mike_earussi1]

Right now nikon's camera bodies, the D70s and the D200, are better overall than the comparable canon XT and 20D, but canon has more IS lens than nikon and once you've them you don't want to go back. Bodies come and go but the lenses tend to stay around for a long time. It depends upon how long you plan on owning the system as to what's more important.

[StuartMoxham]

To be honest I would not worry about it for general use both systems work well. I like the fact that Nikon has kept the same F mount so many of the older lenses will work on the newer cameras. They won't meter with some bodies but you can use a hand held light meter so all is not lost. Nikon also still make a manual body the FM3a and there are still lots of manual focus Nikons around that can use the autofocus lenses. With the EOS system you can mount many lenses on them with adapters you get metering but you have to stop the lens down to the working aperture still not a great loss. You won't be able to use the EOS lenses and anything else though and Canon do not make any manual focus bodies at this time. What you choose will be a matter of personal choice in the end.

[Greg M]

You should buy one of each and an adaptor to use only Zeiss lenses.

[kenneth y]

Both Nikon and Canon are good cameras and you won't go wrong either one. I think it is important for you to try out and see if the functions you need appeared in your targeted camera.

 

Just to share with you my recent experience in choosing my film camera. At first I shortlised Nikon F100 because of its built and good hand feel in holding vis-a-vis Canon which a bit plastic feel and light. However, I noticed from different photography forums that mirror lockup is an important feature especially when slow shutter speed is used. I was convinced from comparison of photos taken with and without the mirror lockup function. Unfortunately I found out that the Nikon F100 is missing this function. Even a lower model of Canon film camera has this function. It take me quite some time to make the final decision to change to Canon as I really love the Nikon F100 when trying in my hand.

 

Happy searching!