Canon vs Nikon

[doug_newman]

I have just found out my tenant is a rep for Nikon and can get me stuff at insane prices.

The issue I face is that I can get the Canon EOS 20D off the net for about 9K with no lense. Locally it is closer to 14K.
I can get the Nikon equivalent to the EOS 20D with 2 lenses, a close up and just a general zoom (I think 20 - 80mm) for about 9K. She can also get the equivalent of the EOS 5D for about 15K when I believe the EOS 5D is about 23K.

Any one have any opinions on the two cameras? She said that Nikon's lenses were behind Canon and they lost marlet share. Apparently the new Nikon range is spectacular... the 100 - 400mm image stabalised lense is about 25K.

(The above prices are in rands)

[Nigel G]

The issue I face is that I can get the Canon EOS 20D off the net for about 9K with no lense. Locally it is closer to 14K.
I can get the Nikon equivalent to the EOS 20D with 2 lenses, a close up and just a general zoom (I think 20 - 80mm) for about 9K. (The above prices are in rands)

Which do you mean by the "Nikon equivalent". As I read it the D70 is not quite as advanced as the Canon 20D and should be cheaper but the new D200 - due with dealers this month - is ahead of the Canon but also a bit more expensive.

[compa]

I have just found out my tenant is a rep for Nikon and can get me stuff at insane prices.

The issue I face is that I can get the Canon EOS 20D off the net for about 9K with no lense. Locally it is closer to 14K.
I can get the Nikon equivalent to the EOS 20D with 2 lenses, a close up and just a general zoom (I think 20 - 80mm) for about 9K. She can also get the equivalent of the EOS 5D for about 15K when I believe the EOS 5D is about 23K.

Any one have any opinions on the two cameras? She said that Nikon's lenses were behind Canon and they lost marlet share. Apparently the new Nikon range is spectacular... the 100 - 400mm image stabalised lense is about 25K.

(The above prices are in rands)

Well ... I don't know if Nikon offers different cameras in South Africa than they offer here in the United States but here they simply don't offer anything that is the equal of Canon 3:-)

Nikon equipment is good - no argument. If you feel the prices being offered are really a great deal then buy it! If they are a good enough deal you can sell the Nikon stuff at a profit and then go buy Canon!

(just remember, you asked your question in the Canon forum - did you really expect an impartial response?)

[robski]

(just remember, you asked your question in the Canon forum - did you really expect an impartial response?)

LOL - I like your reply Jim.

Doug

There are many Happy Nikon users and probably more Canon users who are also happy. The truth is that whichever you choose you have not made a bad choice. There will always be leapfrog in features and technology with the 2 suppliers. The main thing is choose the one you are happy with - based on cost, quality, features, ergonomics and so on.

I would say currently Canon have the lead on lens and sensors but who know if it will stay like that.

Then stick with them because it's costly to keep changing camps.

Robert

[photo_luver]

There is no comparison when it comes to Canons Glass... it is top notch! best consumer lens out there IMO...

[condyk]

There is no comparison when it comes to Canons Glass... it is top notch! best consumer lens out there IMO...

The Canon consumer lenses, other than several primes, are mainly average at best. Their L range is a different matter entirely and, from experience, can usually be recommended with no hesitation. Just check www.fredmiranda.com for user feedback.

As to Nikon or Canon ... both do a great job and a decent shooter will get superb results from either. Personally, I'd go the Canon route right now, but who's to say how the market might change over the next several months ... it'll be interesting how the 20D replacement looks when it arrives sometime in Spring (so folks reckon!) v's the Nikon equivalent.

[Keith Reeder]

You will certainly find many Nikon users that regard the best Nikkor lenses as equal to (and better than) anything produced by Canon.

As to cameras...

There's no doubt that the Canon 20D is a great camera, but first reports on the new Nikon D200 - http://www.nikonians.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=list&forum=DCForumID202&conf=DCConfID3 - leave me in no doubt that it's the new "top dog" in its market sector.

The sample pics on the Nikonians forum are mind boggling, and if there was any doubt about "Nikon noise", it's gone forever.

This - http://www.nikonians.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=view_attachment&file=43a4be7e1e6fab4c.jpg - is a link to a picture taken at 1600 ISO under a 100w bulb. No noise reduction used, either in camera or PP.

Astounding!

I'm saving up for a D200 as we speak.

Doug, one thing: Nikon doesn't have a 5D equivalent - that's a full frame sensor camera, and Nikon doesn't make one.

[compa]

You will certainly find many Nikon users that regard the best Nikkor lenses as equal to (and better than) anything produced by Canon.

As to cameras...

There's no doubt that the Canon 20D is a great camera, but first reports on the new Nikon D200 - http://www.nikonians.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=list&forum=DCForumID202&conf=DCConfID3 - leave me in no doubt that it's the new "top dog" in its market sector.

The sample pics on the Nikonians forum are mind boggling, and if there was any doubt about "Nikon noise", it's gone forever.

This - http://www.nikonians.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=view_attachment&file=43a4be7e1e6fab4c.jpg - is a link to a picture taken at 1600 ISO under a 100w bulb. No noise reduction used, either in camera or PP.

Astounding!

I'm saving up for a D200 as we speak.

Doug, one thing: Nikon doesn't have a 5D equivalent - that's a full frame sensor camera, and Nikon doesn't make one.

Sounds like Nikon may have successfully caught up with the Canon 20D 2 years after it was released! I'm not impressed.

And to compound my lack of being impressed, Canon is due to release its update to the 20D in the next couple of months ... once again leaving Nikon "technology" in the dust! And, as you mentioned, Nikon doesn't even attempt to compete with the Canon 5D or the Canon 1 series full-frame digital cameras.

Don't get me wrong ... Nikon is far from being trash, they make a decent system ... but the company is not the equal of Canon - Nikon doesn't even make their own sensors! Canon designs and makes their own - they do the research and make the technological breakthroughs. Nikon just buys theirs off the shelf from Sony. And, with Sony about to come out with their own line of DSLRs, I think Nikon better start worrying about its sensor sources!

All that said, Nikon is good. They are a solid second place behind Canon and miles ahead of the other competition.

[Keith Reeder]

"Caught up with" the 20D?

Heh, good one, Jim!

;)

The D70/D70s was more than the equal of the 300/350D in most reviews and in many respects was considered a direct competitor for the 20D.

Depends which reviews you read, I guess...

The D200 has really left the 20D in the dust.

It remains to be seen if the 20D replacement does anything about that.

It'll have to be a lot better than the 5D seems to be, though...

(Bear in mind that Doug has a real opportunity to save some money here, so my posts are meant only to persuade him that the Nikon route is a very, very good one: I don't imagine anyone here would want him to miss a fantastic opportunity to get excellent gear at knock-down prices simply because of their own brand loyalty - I know you're not saying that, Jim).

[compa]

5D? ... Bah Humbug

I wouldn't have the thing. I have no use for full-frame. I love the 1.6 crop factor bodies. Makes the telephoto lenses so much longer!

Seriously ... the 5D could be considered a entry level full frame camera. It's not cheap with that huge sensor sitting in it but it is lacking in features when compared to the other Canon full frame bodies. It is for a few select segments of the market. Landscape shooters, wedding photographers and those former film shooters who are just hung-up on full frame. Others may be able to make use of it as well but its marketing is directed toward these groups.

As a nature shooter ... I shun it!

[Keith Reeder]

Hi Jim,

I must admit that Canon have been either very brave (or a bit mad) here.

It's obvious that some people want FF, but I'm with you about the crop factor.

At the other end of the scale, I guess the landscape and portrait shooters are the market, but generally speaking it seems like a helluva price for - as I understand it - a fairly small "improvement".

You'd be spending $3000 (£2000 over here) on a camera body, and then quite possibly having to start your lens collection again from scratch either because you've lost reach, or because the camera finds all the edge softness/falloff/chromatic aberration issues you'd never really had a problem with on your old camera..!

Still it reviews well here: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos5d but it's not for me.