DSLR Camera

[danameless]

This is a bad question to ask...

But the short answer is, it doesn't matter which brand you get. Canon and Nikon are both very good and make excellent camera bodies and lenses, so you can't go wrong with either one. If your new to DSLR cameras, then it will matter even less which brand you get. Do you have any friends/family that shoot with a DSLR? If so, you could stick with the same brand as them so you can try out their lenses and learn from them. Otherwise, I would suggest going to a camera store and trying out the different brands and bodies and see which one feels right to you. You want it to feel comfortable for you and get a feel of the layout of the buttons and dials. Many people will choose a certain brand because of this alone. Image quality and functions, they are pretty much on par with each other.

Personally, I would choose Nikon, but only because I shoot with Nikon so I am a little biased.

[Nhanandmel]

If you're starting out I'd stick with Canon or Nikon. I wasn't impressed with any of the Sony's. Atleast with Canon and Nikon you have plenty of options on accessories and lenses. My first DSLR was an Olympus which I love, but lenses are expensive.

Canon or Nikon, can't go wrong.

[TheProph3t]

I have a Nikon D60 and love it. Never looked backed on the 699 or 799 sticker price.

[henry33]

Yeah, it's either Canon or Nikon. Nikon tends to be a bit more than Canon, but I prefer wide angle more than zoom so the crop factor on Nikon is 1.5 whereas on Canon it's 1.6. It means a 10-20mm wide angle lense in 35mm is equivalent to 15-30 on Nikon and 16-32 on Canon. Slightly bigger sensor on Nikon might explain why picture quality is sometimes rated higher on Nikon than Canon but it's probably close enough on average that it doesn't really matter that much. Once you pick one, you're sorta stuck though because once you get a bunch of lenses and flashes, you can only use one brand.

[Jeffbx]

Yup, the answer you'll probably get from everyone is 'well, not Sony'.

With either Canon or Nikon you can't go wrong. I'd say go to a store that carries both and pick them up & play with them to see which you prefer.

[lymn-k]

Hey, Chris. Im a Canon guy, so I cant speak for Nikon. However, in general, I think youre much better buying a lesser camera with less bells and whistles and spending more on hi-quality lenses. Lenses make an image. Any modern dSLR can be used, with a good lens, to get really nice images.

I have my old spare 10D for sale in the buy/sell forums here, if youre interested. It may be just what youre looking for.

[danameless]

Quote from lymn-k : Hey, Chris. Im a Canon guy, so I cant speak for Nikon. However, in general, I think youre much better buying a lesser camera with less bells and whistles and spending more on hi-quality lenses. Lenses make an image. Any modern dSLR can be used, with a good lens, to get really nice images. I have my old spare 10D for sale in the buy/sell forums here, if youre interested. It may be just what youre looking for.

Slightly disagree - lenses do not make an image. The photographer makes an image. The lens and body are merely tools that a photographer uses. I don't want to give the impression that anyone with a expensive lens will produce great pictures.

But I do agree that if the OP is new to DSLR, he/she should stick with a entry-level camera or possible a used one, preferably Nikon or Canon.

[Silvas]

Definately not sony. Canon or Nikon, or even Pentax would be better.

I picked up a 2nd hand Canon Digital Rebel XT awhile back, and if I had it to do again, I'd have waited a bit longer and picked up a Nikon or Pentax. Canon lenses are horribly expensive, even used, at least in my area. I watch bulletin boards and classifieds for photo equipment to make my hobby a little cheaper

(though I ALWAYS check the condition of the lens or equipment carefully before buying)

and both new and used prices, pentax and nikon equipment is a lot easier and cheaper to come by on a budget than canon is.

Is this to say stay away from Canon? No. However, if you've done photography before and know you're going to get into DSLR a lot and you're going to want a large range of lenses and accessories to work with, and you want to be able to minimize cost of doing so, you might want to consider other alternatives. Check prices on new and used equipment in your area, and go from there.

@danameless: I agree a lens doesn't make an image, but while a photographer mostly makes an image, the lens helps. It's a combination of the photographer and the equipment. All other things being equal, a poor quality lens vs. a good quality lens can make a substantial difference in the end photograph.

[JustAnEngineer]

Canon lenses are generally less expensive than similar lenses from Nikon, which are generally less expensive than the few professional lenses from Sony.