Nikon D80 vs Canon EOS 400D

[Macanleister]

Hiya, I'm just looking at buying my first DSLR (finally). I've used 35mm SLRs in the past, and from looking around in the $1500AUD and under price range I've narrowed my choices down to these two cameras. The only problem I'm having now is separating the two.

Naturally, price is a big thing in my decision making, so on that score the Canon is looking rather more attractive. However, before I commit to a choice, can anyone offer some advice on which one is the better bet, both from a birding and from a general photography point of view?

[hollis_f]

Hiya, I'm just looking at buying my first DSLR (finally). I've used 35mm SLRs in the past, and from looking around in the $1500AUD and under price range I've narrowed my choices down to these two cameras. The only problem I'm having now is separating the two.

They're both pretty good. But, rather than looking at which camera to buy, I reckon you'd be better off looking which of the two companies have the sort of lenses you'll be wanting to use.

[Macanleister]

Cool, thanks for the suggestion. On the subject of lenses, is the large range of backwards compatability the D80 offers all that useful? At the moment I mainly just want it for portrait photography and birding, so I guess I probably need something like an 18-55mm lens and another that can go out to about 400mm (or more, but I doubt I can afford it). I haven't really considered aperture yet, but I am looking for good low light performance, especially in the portrait lens.

EDIT: Just read up on aperture...didn't really separate them either, they both have really slow kit lenses. Maybe buy with a Tamron 17-55mm f2.8, but that puts the D80 out of my price range.

[rezMole]

If money is tight i.e. you aren't going to be spending thousands on a lens, then it doesn't matter which body you go for - Sigma and Tamron come in either fitting - usually for the same price.

I went with Nikon just because the Nikon felt better in my hands. Nothing really to separate the different makes performance wise, so handling seemed the best way to choose.

[Duke Leto]

Agree with rexMole, have a play with both and go with the one whose ergonomics suit you the best, I bought Nikon as the body was more comfortable in my larger hands, the consumer Canon just felt too small and cumbersome for me. If your looking for a camera and lens why not look at the D200 or an older Canon such as the 30 or 20D, having used the 10D I can see why people like this range of cameras.

[ikw101]

Cool, thanks for the suggestion. On the subject of lenses, is the large range of backwards compatability the D80 offers all that useful? At the moment I mainly just want it for portrait photography and birding, so I guess I probably need something like an 18-55mm lens and another that can go out to about 400mm (or more, but I doubt I can afford it). I haven't really considered aperture yet, but I am looking for good low light performance, especially in the portrait lens.

EDIT: Just read up on aperture...didn't really separate them either, they both have really slow kit lenses. Maybe buy with a Tamron 17-55mm f2.8, but that puts the D80 out of my price range.

Backward compatability is useful. I bought a second hand Nikon 300/f4 ED-IF for £130. The latest version of this lens with built in high speed autofocus motor costs within the region of £800. The actual glass used within the lens is practically identical with little or no difference in sharpness. For portraits the Nikon 55mm f1.8 is a bargain at circa £80 new.

Unfortunately not only are Nikon cameras more expensive so as a general rule is there glass. The big hole in Nikon's product range is a 400mm prime lens. The performance of the 80-400mm VR zoom just isn't good enough especially if you need to crop or follow a fast moving subject. Whilst a 1.4x teleconverter can be added to a 300/4 to give a very good 420mm if I was starting from new again I'd want to know how this compares with the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6 USM L. The differences between the D80 and 400D are marginal with both being excellent value for money. In general most people especially if they've got relatively large hands prefer the ergonomics of the Nikon.

Almost forgot - please be aware the latest Canon lens have a certain "hi look at me I'm over here look about them" - handy for blending into the background on that next Antarctic photo-shoot!

[Macanleister]

Cool, thanks for the suggestions! I'll have to get myself to a store and handle the two cameras, though the price still might force my decision ($1500 vs $2000 at most stores if I get the faster lens).

[christineredgate]

I do use the 400D,a good little cam,but ,if I could easily trade in for a used 30D I would do so.Having said that,the 400D has had no dust on the sensor,whereas my 30D does have dust spots.But somehow the 30d does produce the better images.
I would say that if you cannot managed the 40D,then look around for a used 30D,excellent cam,great images.
Sadly I have no experience re Nikon,so cannot compare .

[bkrownd]

The D80 uses common SD cards, whereas the 400D still uses the big old CF cards. I have several devices that use SD cards, and I can swap my SD cards between them, so that was a big consideration for me.

[howell7079]

I have a canon 30d and love it. I was going to go with nikon but after reading reviews of both brands, I went with canon due to the low light sensitivity of the canon sensor. It doesn't seem like a big deal but when your shooting at sunset or sunrise, it makes a difference(less noise in the picture).

Lyndon

[Macanleister]

The D80 uses common SD cards, whereas the 400D still uses the big old CF cards. I have several devices that use SD cards, and I can swap my SD cards between them, so that was a big consideration for me.

Oh ok, thanks for pointing that out. SDHC compatability is something I'm pretty interested in getting.


Does anyone know anything about the Pentax K10D? It's won some awards against the D80 and D200, but I'm having trouble finding people who actually use it.

[Roy C]

The D80 uses common SD cards, whereas the 400D still uses the big old CF cards. I have several devices that use SD cards, and I can swap my SD cards between them, so that was a big consideration for me.
Given the price of memory cards these days I would have thought this was somewhat irrelevant when choosing a Camera. If you are paying thousands for a camera and lenses then the cost of a few memory cards should certainly not sway your decision as to which to buy.
I use both CF (for Camera) and SD cards (for audio player) and to be honest I would not like to take the SD cards in the field as they are so small.

[Roy C]

One important thing to consider with bird photography is the amount of high ISO noise generated. Until recently this is where Canon has had a big advantage over Nikon - it looks as if Nikon has finally caught up with the D300 which can only be a good thing as it will keep Canon on their toes.

[baillieswells]

The D80 uses common SD cards, whereas the 400D still uses the big old CF cards. I have several devices that use SD cards, and I can swap my SD cards between them, so that was a big consideration for me.

That should not be a consideration, I have both a Canon 400D and 40D, and use entirely different CF cards in each. Each card has to be formatted by the camera in which it is to be used. Sometime ago, when I had a 350D, I used the same card in the 350D and the 400D, and it completely messed up the numbering of the photos.

[Sandpiper]

I had the same problem when my wife used the CF card from her 350D in my 20D. It totally messed up my file numbering. Use a separate card for each camera and do not interchange without formatting first.

[bkrownd]

Given the price of memory cards these days I would have thought this was somewhat irrelevant when choosing a Camera..

Maybe irrelevant to you, but it's a big convenience for me. Why would I want to spend extra money on a new set of memory cards for one camera when I already have cards that work in all my devices interchangeably, and will be useful in future devices, as well? Got other things to spend that cash on. On the flip side, I'd guess the whole reason Canon still uses the old style CF cards is because their current users already have them.

[Roy C]

Maybe irrelevant to you, but it's a big convenience for me. Why would I want to spend extra money on a new set of memory cards for one camera when I already have cards that work in all my devices interchangeably, and will be useful in future devices, as well? Got other things to spend that cash on. On the flip side, I'd guess the whole reason Canon still uses the old style CF cards is because their current users already have them.


That's ok then. Forget Camera performance and the cost of the big Nikon VR primes (Thousands of $ more than the Canons) just buy the Nikon and save $30 on memory cards if you already have some.

[bkrownd]

Roy, not everyone buys the same stuff for the same reasons as you do. Seriously, I'm not making this up! ;)

I had no intention of buying any primes for any price when I went camera shopping, and certainly not any lens whose price could be described using the word "thousands of $". SD cards are $30 or more each, and I have a stack of them.

[baillieswells]

Roy, not everyone buys the same stuff for the same reasons as you do. Seriously, I'm not making this up! ;)

I had no intention of buying any primes for any price when I went camera shopping, and certainly not any lens whose price could be described using the word "thousands of $". SD cards are $30 or more each, and I have a stack of them.

Surely you will still have to format them in the camera each time you transfer one from another piece of equipment. And will you not by doing this loose all your photo numbering?