What is the best SLR digital camera?
Sunday, February 13th, 2011 at
10:30 pm
Next semester, I will be taking an Intro to Photography class at my university where i will need to have my own SLR. I have taken photography classes before, but have always shared or borrowed SLR cameras. I would like to purchase one for myself, but do not know which one to buy. Many websites say that Canon is best, while a photography teacher once told me that Nikon is far better. What camera do you prefer?
US $.11
It’s very much a Ford vs. Chevy question. (Disclaimer, I own and use Nikon but that’s ’cause I already owned a bunch of MF and AF Nikon kit when I went looking for a digital.)
Right now I think the Canon entry level dSLR’s are better value for the money and do not restrict you to using lenses only made since 2000 (e.g. the Nikon D40, D3000 and it’s ilk will only autofocus using AFs lenses, which obsoleted all my AF and AF-D lenses in one stroke, so much (again) for F-mount compatibility!).
Well the TIPA award for best beginner DSLR 2010 actually went to Pentax with the K-x!
Both are correct.
At this time the Nikon system has the best sensor performance at any given camera level from the $8,000 Nikon D3X to the entry level Nikon D3100
Here is a link you may find helpful to sort out some of your questions when it comes to the camera you eventually buy.
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/en/Camera-Sensor/Sensor-rankings
One thing you will notice as you look through the list of “best” cameras is that the number of pixels on the sensor and the price one pays for the camera, has little to do with the sensors performance.
At this time, Nikon does have a slight edge over comparable Canon cameras.
I say “at this time” because during every technical upgrade cycle (usually three or more years), one company has a slight edge over the other.
Right now as it stands, the Nikon D3s is THE camera with very low noise at high ISO.
Right now, the Nikon D3X is the highest performing dSLR, period
Right now, the Nikon D7000 is performing far better than its competition the Canon 60D, especially when it comes to the Full HD video mode (the Nikon is the only one that can auto-focus in the video mode)
This can all change in the next year or so. What is important is you pick the camera system YOU like the best
With Nikon cameras other than the entry level ones, almost ANY lens made since 1977 can be used with a Nikon body and still retain full exposure functions.
* Canon switched lens mounts in 1988, so the FD and FL lenses cannot be used easily on the Canon EOS cameras
* Canon’s EF-S lenses made for their APS-C sensored cameras, cannot be used on any of the Canon full frame cameras, 35 mm or 1D/5D dSLR bodies. This is because the lenses rear element protrudes into the camera body and will damage the mirror on the full frame Canon bodies and the cameras mirror will scratch the real element of the EF-S lens.
If you are planning on shooting sports, the Nikon D3 and D3s is the best choice at this time due to its low noise at high ISO performance.
In the end, you will have to make the choice that makes the most sense to you. Remember, whichever system you choose, you will be using it for the next few decades
Sit down with your instructor and discuss the reasons why he/she thinks Nikon is better.
At some point you will need to visit a camera store and try using both cameras and see which one is the easiest for you to use, especially when it comes to making common changes in camera settings like ISO, EV, white balance and shooting modes.
If the video feature is important to you
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMbBKukJzBk
First of all, the best SLR with a lens to match will probably cost more than you’ll be spending on your car (don’t expect much change out of $10000).
You’ve taken classes, what did you borrow and what did you think of that (I’d insert a question mark here but the Yahoo police doesn’t allow them).
Both Canon and Nikon make fine cameras, each with their own strong and weak points. Personally I really dislike the Canon rebel (or xxxD to us in the rest of the world) series for it’s plasticky feel and clumsy controls. But there’s plenty of people that like that. At the entry level point I think Nikon delivered a really strong camera in the D3100 which is only outclassed by the Canon 550d/Rebel T2i on video.
If you think you’ll be taking photography seriously you could look into a Nikon D90. Nikon’s enthousiast amateur model from 2008 which has just been replaced by the D7000 and is being sold at an attractive price point. Weak on video, still very good on photos.
Main differences between the brands are in the rest of the lineup. Nikon has some very solid lenses at the entry level with the 18-105 and the 55-300. Canon has a very unique macro lens that can magnify more than 1:1 and a very affordable 70-200 f4 lens. I think Nikon’s wireless flash system is better than Canon. Both systems have truly amazing pro lenses (often with an amazing pricetag to match)
Final consideration could be if you know anyone with a good selection of lenses for either brand that would let you borrow lenses.
Personally I’m very happy with my Nikon d300 most of the time. However, if I see a 400mm f5.6 in the canon lineup I am a bit tempted.
Your best bet is to try each and see which one you like best.
For lens compatibility, forget it. I’m not going to buy a fancy SLR that can take every lens made and then go to the pawn shop for an old lens. I cheaped out on a body and got good brand-new lenses. You aren’t going to find deals on high-quality older lenses anyways.
I used to shoot Canon, but the layout of the controls is poor (using your index finger for the selector wheel instead of a redundant digit like a thumb or middle finger on the Nikon) and I found Nikon’s autofocus to be much faster and reliable. I prefer Nikon’s image quality as well.
But this is all opinion. Don’t forget that Pentax, Olympus, and Sony make good DSLRs as well with comparable contemporary lens selections…
Don’t forget that camera’s by themselves don’t take good pictures. But the factor on a camera that most affects the picture is the lens. Spend lots of money on lenses and get the cheapest body that will do the job, since lenses will last longer than bodies.
I am with the Pentax Kx answer and I just purchase one for myself. I found the Canon viewfinders too busy. And I buy a camera based on comfort of holding it and easy of controls. I have owned Canons all my life but I think this Pentax Kx is the cat’s meow! I especially like two features. First the lens stabilization is built into the camera not each lens you buy! The second is that Kx will take all Pentax lenses reaching into the late film model cameras. This means you should be able to pick up a older used lens at a great price.
Hey,
Your teacher and website are both brand fanboys. Stay away from these, because smart ones know it only depends on the model.
Which camera I prefer? Well, both have 20+ DSLRs so..I’m using the Canon EOS 7D because I need it.
I recommend Canon EOS XS, XSi, T1i and Nikon D3100, D5000 to you.
Here’s a post called ‘Buying a DSLR, what’s important, megapixels, features, brand, price, quality and which one to buy – http://www.the-dslr-photographer.com/2009/03/which-dslr-to-buy.html
Good luck! The site has many more tutorials, tips, reviews and guides!
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I think you should go with Canon EOS Rebel T1i 15.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera
* New 15.1-megapixel CMOS sensor with DIGIC 4 Image Processor
* Full HD video capture at 1920 x 1080 resolution; HDMI output
* 3.0-inch Clear View LCD; Live View Function for stills and video
* Capture images and video to SD/SDHC memory cards
Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black)
Technical Details
Color: Black
10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor captures enough detail for poster-size, photo-quality prints
Large 2.5-inch LCD display; includes Canon’s EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens
DIGIC III image processor provides fast, accurate image processing; Live View Function
EOS Integrated Cleaning system and Canon-designed Self Cleaning Sensor Unit, plus Dust Delete Data Detection in included software
Stores images on SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)