What is the main difference between Nikon and Canon SLR cameras?
Question by cr7_lover: What is the main difference between Nikon and Canon SLR cameras?
I’m thinking about purchasing a Nikon d60 this week but I dont know if I should lean towards a Canon or Nikon? What is the biggest difference? Who has better quality? better features? Or whats your personal preference? Id really appreciate some thorough answers so I can make a good choice! Thanks guys!
Best answer:
Answer by Jordan H
I believe it’s the instantaneous pictures that come with the Nikon cameras.
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The only real difference is that a Nikon has better lenses. However, Canons are more affordable, and they take great pictures. Both are high quality cameras.
http://www.Nikon.com
http://www.canon.com
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=canon+nikon+difference+SLR
These cameras have a lot in common, and for me it’s a bit of a tie in terms of features and performance.
While you are certainly welcome to try to determine which one has better “image quality” (an imprecise term that is the result of a variety of camera settings), experience using and reviewing photos from a wide range of both Canon and Nikon cameras has demonstrated to me that the photos captured by SLRs from both manufacturers are exceptional.
Since the cameras themselves are so similar I’m going to talk about something completely different: lenses.
One big difference between the Rebel XS and the Nikon D60 is that the Nikon D60 is NOT 100% backwards-compatible with older Nikon lenses — while the Rebel XS works just fine with a large number of Canon and third-party lenses.
If you try to use a lens on the Nikon D60 that does not include AF-I or AF-S (internal focusing motors) autofocus won’t work – you’ll have to focus manually.
So what does this mean for you – the consumer photographer?
It impacts both the flexibility and price of owning a camera like this for the long term:
Flexibility – if at some point in the future you decide you’d like a nice specialty lens (for wildlife or closeups or architecture), your choices with the D60 will be limited (if you’d also like the lens to autofocus)
Cost – with the Rebel XS, you can purchase any Canon lens you like, or you can also choose from a wide range of compatible third-party lenses that are often much cheaper – with the Nikon D60, your potential for finding a good deal on a lens is reduced, snce very few third-party manufacturers make lenses that have their own focusing motors
So a lot of your decision about which of these two cameras to get comes down to how you intend to use the camera in the future and how you plan to upgrade.
If you think that you’ll replace BOTH camera and lens when you upgrade, then either the Rebel XS or the Nikon D60 will work fine. If you’d like to build up a collection of lenses (without spending a forture) that you can continue to use on future cameras, then the Rebel XS is the better choice.
Intermediate Cameras
The next stage of the Canon vs. Nikon battle are the cameras geared toward photographers who have some experience taking photos with SLR cameras (either film or digital).
The cameras in this category often bridge the gap between the entry-level cameras and those designed with more professional photographers in mind.
Currently, there are two Canons and two Nikons in this category:
Canon
Camera Release Date Avg. Price
Rebel XSi (450D) April 2008 $ 655 USD Read Guide
Rebel T1i (500D) June 2009 $ 825 USD
Nikon
Camera Release Date Avg. Price
Nikon D90 September 2008 $ 1,225 USD Read Guide
Nikon D5000 May 2009 $ 774 USD
Let’s compare the Rebel T1i 500D with the Nikon D5000:
Canon T1i Nikon D5000
Megapixels 15.1 12.3
Continuous Speed 3.4 photos/sec 4 photos/sec
Autofocus Points 9 11
ISO Range 100 – 12800 100 – 6400
Max Shutter Speed 1/4000 1/4000
LCD Size 3.0 in. 2.7 in.
Dust Control
Image Stabilization
Live View
Extra Dynamic Range
Flip LCD
Movie Mode HD 1080p HD 720p
Dimensions 5.1x 3.9×2.4in
129x98x92mm 5.2×4.1×3.0in
132x104x76mm
Weight 18.5oz (524g) 21oz (595g)
These two cameras really are on a pretty even footing.
Some of the big differences include:
Feature Difference Analysis
Video Mode T1i (500D): 1080p
D5000: 720p
While the T1i can capture higher resolution video be aware that this will create humongous file sizes. Sure, you can play back videos at home, but uploading them to share online will take HOURS.
LCD Screen T1i (500D): No flip, High Resolution
D5000: Flip, Lower Resolution
The LCD on the D5000 flips out from the camera body and rotates – great for high and low angle shots. However, if you don’t take a lot of photos from bizarre angles, then the higher resolution screen on the T1i will display images that are clearer and a better color match to what you will eventually see on your computer monitor.
ISO Range T1i (500D): 100 – 12800
D5000: 100 – 6400
Sure, you can boost the ISO on the T1i into the stratosphere, but the amount of digital noise at settings higher than 6400 will definitely affect image quality. Very high ISO settings are most useful when you take photos of moving subjects in near dark.
Pro-Sumer Cameras
In the pool of digital SLR camera buyers, there’s a cluster of advanced amateurs — they are also called “Professional Consumers” or Pro-Sumers for short.
Pro-Sumers are looking for a bit more functionality from their cameras than what’s offered by the true consumer models, and they’re willing to pay more for increased image control.
What sets the pro-sumer cameras apart from the others is their sheer speed.
Most digital SLR cameras are capable of capturing about three consecutive photos per second – and this is just fine for anyone passionate about l
I bought the nikon coolpix s550 with a 10Megapix resolution last January and I love it. I researched Canon cameras also and I found that for the money the nikon’s have the best zoom and megapix. I like the extra zoom on my camera for those long shots. The light weight compact size is ideal for everyday use. I’m very happy with the Nikon but you should search each website to compare exactly what you’d be using it for. Everyone ask what camera I use when they see the pictures I’ve taken with it. Very clear and professional looking.
I was making that choice for myself not too long ago and I ended up going with the cannon. For me it was between the d60 and the cannon rebel XSI. ( I was going for the most pixels I could afford which brought me to these 2 choices.) I tested out both in the store and I found the cannon was more user friendly. I had a nikon 35 mm SLR before that and was new to digital, but found the nikon D60 very confusing. There is the obvious price difference and I feel that with nikon, you are paying more for the name than quality. I also went on consumer reports and saw the cannon was one of their top choices for function and price. altho the nikon d90 was number 1. Rebel XSI was 4, and the NIKON D60 was 10th on the list. (almost all the way at the bottom.) The lenses are also cheaper on the cannons which is a plus so you can have more options. Definitely go into the store and try them both out, but I would 100% recommend the Cannons.
I recommend Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens
For perfect photos, fast and simple, there’s nothing better than Canon’s EOS Rebel XS. With powerful features including a 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, Canon’s DIGIC III processor, fast shooting and more, it’s a digital powerhouse. With simple, easy-to-use controls, a compact design, a 2.5-inch LCD monitor, and Live View Function, it’s a beginner’s dream come true.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CBKJGG?ie=UTF8&tag=nop107-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001CBKJGG“
June 23 of this yr I bought the Nikon D90.
I felt Canon had the edge in value for what your getting in terms of the camera itself. I especially liked the Canon EOS Rebel XSi for its price.
I also felt that in long run lenses are more important, and felt optically Nikon had the edge. So I wound up with Nikon.
Plus the fact that I own a 35mm SLR for many years and still works great: Nikon FE2
The biggest difference is the lens.
Nikon is better insulated against dust and uses higher quality alloys for encasing its lenses.
What you should do is go to a good camera store and try them out for yourself. It doesn’t matter which we prefer, the camera will belong to you, and it should be one that YOU like. Try out some in your price range and see how easy it is to use the controls and go through the menu. You will know the one for you when you hold it in your hands.
Anyone with a Nikon will tell you that Nikon is the best and anyone with a Canon will tell you that Canon is the best. I have a Canon and I won’t tell you its the best because I’ve never spent much time with a Nikon, but I love my Canon. I like the buttons and the settings on it and after getting used to it, I think they’re easy to use and adjust all the settings. When I’ve used a friend’s Nikon I found it harder to adjust everything, but that’s probably because I wasn’t used to it yet. I would say to go to a store and look at each camera and hold it in your hands, play with it, and take a few shots to see what you like. One thing I do love about the Canon over the Nikon, is that they have a faster burst rate (for the price range your looking at) For example my Canon 40D will take 6.5 frames per second. I don’t know how fast the d60 is, but I know its not that fast. My one piece of advice no matter what brand you get is to buy used. You can get a mint condition used camera in the box that looks like its brand new, for a whole lot cheaper than buying a new one off the shelf. You get a lot more bang for your buck this way and will have more money for lenses. Look on eBay.
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