From enthusiasts point of view, which one is REALLY better: Canon EOS Digital or Nikon Digital cameras? Why?

One is no better than the other. I prefer nikon but that is my simple matter of appreciation. I have owned both.

The one with the best lenses in front of the camera and the best photographer behind the viewfinder.

Somehow throughout the history of art photography, the latter is always more important than the former.

Have a blast…

I’m going to agree with the first answer.
I’m a Nikon user, not because I prefer one of the other, but because if I change cameras to another Nikon, I am more than likely going to be able to use the equipment I already have on another Nikon.

Both are equally good…

But I will tell you which is better…

The one that your friends possess is definitely ‘Better’

Why??

This is because both systems are compatible with the lenses from same make/same mounts.. When you have similar cameras with your friends, you may choose to interchange lenses and would prefer to buy varied lenses without duplicating them.

I had based my purchase on the above point and our group has the best pool of lenses!!

Canon’s have provided full frame longer, usually have more megapixels (but really how many do you need), and have some great software that comes with the camera (not photoshop but it suits most peoples needs rather well). Canon’s video dSLRs give true 1080p HD video, not 720 video.

Nikon has a better flash system, has been able to control speedlights from the popup for a few generations of cameras now (Canon finally gave us one camera that can do this), has made more cameras that sync faster, and has more lenses available too them (Canon changed lens mounts back in the 80s and people are still whining about it). Nikons can even (from what I’ve heard) rear curtain sync wirelessly.

Both cameras lay out the controls and menus differently. This is probably the biggest difference. One will make sense to one person and confound another. Intuitive to you, but not to me. The only way to figure out which is best for YOU is to use both and see for yourself. They are on par with each other as far as image quality, and when one manufacturer makes a camera that outdoes the competition there’s usually another camera from the other side in short order that remedies that.

Additional:
Nikon allows you to use speedlight slaves in up to 27 groups (from what I’ve heard a very long time ago). Canon allows you to use 2 groups with a third background group.

I wonder just how many times this ridiculous question is going to be asked until people get the idea.

There is NO best or “REALLY better” brand.

It is entirely down to personal choice.
Each brand has their good and bad points but they both come out even in the end.

To ME anyhow, Nikon has always had more direct control available. It’s been a long time since I made my choice and almost as long since I stopped following the minutia of every model change in the Canon line, so this may be outdated information. Nikon had more things controlled by buttons on the camera body that Canon left in the menu system. If you can change things by pushing a single button instead of stepping through the menus, it is faster.

I’m sure that Canon has evolved and maybe they have outdated my answer the same way they outdated a bunch of their own lenses.

One for instance… Just a couple of years ago, Canon did not offer a spotmeter on their entry level cameras and Nikon always has. For me, that would be the deal breaker right there. Canon now includes a spotmeter. I’m sure that the upper level Canon cameras have addressed any glaring shortcomings in similar fashion.

I also say to get whatever your friends own, because then when you have a question, they will just know how the camera works instead of having to figure it out before they answer you.

Cabbiinc has the best answer so far and I support what he says.

They both have excellent reputations. You can’t go wrong with either.