What's up fellas! I have a dilemma. I'm shopping for a new D-SLR camera to better show you all my baby Stella and I have whittled it down to these two:

Canon xti

or

Nikon D80

I'm really thinking of the Nikon D80 w/ Nikon 18-135mm lens. The experts on CNET, as well as the users, have it rated higher than the Canon. I tend to lean towards what the users think. Which, is why I am asking your opinion. So what do you guys think?

P.S. - I don't know if you guys have already waged this war...but please indulge me. Thanks!

 

You have got to go and get the cameras in your hands. You can't go wrong with either brand. If you have smaller hands you won't want the XTi.

Most of the camera shops in the DC area will push you to Nikon, don't buy from them. Go to a Penn Camera, not a Ritz, there's one on the Pike. Once you decide what you want, check out www.bhphoto.com, www.adorama.com or amazon.com, you'll get a better price and no tax.

 

I have large hands, and I have handled the xti in Best Buy, but not the D80.

Thanks Jupiter!

 

Both of them are fine choices. They have almost identical specs on paper, but the key differences are the D80 is larger and less plasticky, while the XTi has better ISO performance above ISO400 and has a larger buffer for burst shots.

Have you considered the 30D? They can be found for about $900 with lens now that the 40D's are out...

 

For pure usability, I'd go with the D80 to get the top display.

Caveat: I've only used Nikon DSLRs and I find the top display indispensable, but I've never tried living without it.

 

i went XTi and never looked back. it can really do it all. it can spit out some very quality shots just being point and shoot, but if you like to tinker, you can get professional grade shots out. the only thing i had to get used to was looking through the eye piece but the canon has a very nice sight. i got a great price on it at the beginning of this year, so i think you could find it for a very good price now.

 

I think handling both cameras is a good idea. A buddy of mine just bought the D80, and it's a heck of a nice camera for the money, but so is the XTi. It'll probably come down to which feels best to you. That goes a long way in deciding on a camera.

 

My personal preference is Nikon. I have the D50 which they no longer make and I'm extremely happy with it. I've had it for a little over a year now and it's like an extension of myself. ( :wink: thnx D )
The Canon is a bit smaller and some people have complained about it being awkward to hold if you use it for a lengthy shoot. The Nikon fits very well. Like others have said though, you can't go wrong with either one. I find Nikon to be a bit more robust in build quality. Flip a coin??

One word of caution even though you haven't mentioned it. Keep the Nikon D40 or 40X out of the running. It's basically a point and shoot with a removable lens.

 

Wow...$900? Now I have to start looking all over again!

If you have a link of a place at that price, by all means please share it!

 

They have it at B&H for a grand:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...arch&Q=*&bhs=t

 

Amazon.com:

Canon Digital Rebel XTi 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens (Black)<!--aoeui-->

$658.01 (Body only is $589)!!

Wow! The Canon 30D is nice but it's 8.2MP, versus this is 10.1MP. I can't get anywhere near that type of deal for a Nikon D80, which with a 18-135mm lens runs about $1200! I can buy the Canon xti body only, and get the 18-200 for under that!!

I gotta think, gotta think...

 

yea the size of the XTi is way to small for me cause i took off the grip today to see what it was like without it, my hand started to cramp within a few minutes of usage, i dont know why/how it didnt bother me when i first got it.

only reason why it's size still acceptable for me is because of the grip, makes a world of a difference.

other than the size the XTi is imo a fantastic camera. im just ready to move onto the 40D cause of the size and extra goodies.

 

imo, 30D 8.2MP > XTi 10.1MP

when it comes to cameras megapixels aren't everything

 

Don't get blinded by megapixels. Throwing more mp's on a sensor the same size as the 8.2 sensor take a little away from the "life" of the picture. The 30D has bigger pixels to capture the image on almost the same sensor size as the XTi.

It's a good camera, I just wanted to FYI you on MP's.

 

Good thing megapixels don't mean squat! The 30D is a far better machine.

 

I hate how the XTi feels in my hands. I have tiny hands and even so, the XTi feels way too small. With the way I hold the camera, I'd always have to make sure my fingers wouldn't be in the picture.

Go check out both cameras for yourself. Take a few test shots in the store, fool around with the buttons and settings, and see how solid and intuitive it feels.

Also consider which brand's lenses you prefer, because you'll be stuck using them as long as you own the camera.

 

I'm down to two cameras again: Canon 30D & Nikon D80! I was in the Ritz and a guy said the 30D is a good buy if I can catch a good price for it!

 

If you're intrested, you should be able to get a used 30D for $800 or less. I know there are some on DC craigslist and you can check http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum in the buy and sell section.

 

I actually want my camera to be new. I have a thing about being the first one to use it and knowing it was taken care of. Like my car, for instance. But thanks Jupiter!

 

I can understand that.

 

I purchased a D80 today, and I kept it in the box. I just wanted to make sure I caught the sale for $1159 for D80 Kit (18-135mm incl) at Best Buy, because the Protection Plan for $159 includes Accidental Protection.

However, I have been seeing some awesome pics of the 40D in action, and I am wondering if I should go that route. I can get one for $1160 (body), and buy me an 18-55mm to learn with, cheap for $100 or so.

Kind of a Canon crowd here, but any good suggestions would be appreciated. My main concern is the tout of the Nikon glass being better than Canon's by far. Word of mouth, but still an area of concern. You guys have some really nice shots. Please weigh in on that.

 

Congrats on the purchase darksom!

I'd be interested in hearing some opinions on Nikon vs Canon glass as well. I've always heard Nikon glass was better (not far better, but better) But then you constantly hear Canon has had the better IQ? So how can you have better IQ with inferior glass? Obviously the camera plays a roll but an explanation would be nice.

 

You can second guess yourself forever. Open the box.

 

I woulda gone with the Canon 30D or 40D myself, I was always told that you'd get more out of them than Nikons. If you already bought the Nikon then keep it... its not a bad purchase but when you get into the more expensive stuff... the canons will be superior. It doesn't sound like you are going into professional photography so I'm sure the Nikon will do you just fine but most pros like the canons over the Nikons... as you've seen from most of the above posts.

I actually got a Canon 20D last year for pretty cheap and I'm pretty damn sure I got the best deal out there with it... 8.2mp and all the features of the 30D for $999 with the 18-55mm AND 70-300mm lenses. It's basically the same camera as the 30D except the LCD screen is a little smaller.

 

Work on learning photography skills, and your pictures will look great. You can have all the best equipment in the world, but if you don't know what you're doing, your work won't look good anyway. IMO you don't need an expensive camera when you're just learning....you can always upgrade lenses later on. Your skills + lenses will be good enough for a while, and then you can upgrade the body down the road.

 

This is ridiculous and simply not true. Both companies make outstanding glass, with a similar range of options (around 60 lenses each). Open the box and start enjoying your D80. It's an excellent DSLR.

 

You can't and that's exactly the point. Nikon and Canon both make great lenses.

 

Geez....You'd think you just told everyone you bought a disposable from the drugstore.

Congrats on the purchase!!! You'll get tons of enjoyment out of it!

Now get shooting!

 

You guys are pretty knowledgeable, and pretty cool. The guys in 3G are going to be missing me some nights when I'm hanging out over here with you guys. LOL! I guess just another reason why I love this forum!

Ok, so I decided to keep the D80, as it was explained to me in Ritz, and echoed by some of you guys comments, that it isn't necessary (nor is it easy) to start out with the 40D, versus the D80. He said the D80 was more intuitive for a beginner. Based on that and what was said here, coupled with the good reviews for the D80 that are similar to the 40D...I'm going to be building a Nikon system! Especially since Nikon glass is superior waTSX! (Hahahaha - j/k).

Here are a couple of the reviews that I found helpful in making a decision:

On Cnet:
Canon 40D - 8.1 editor/8.6 user

Nikon D80 - (Editor's Choice & Top Five Digital Cameras) 8.0 editor/8.8 user



On dpreview.com:
40D
D80

Canon 40D:
Build Quality: 9.0
Ergonomics & Handling: 8.5
Features: 9.5
Image Quality: 9.0
Performance (Speed): 9.0
Value: 8.5


Nikon D80:
Build Quality: 9.0
Ergonomics & Handling: 9.0
Features: 9.5
Image Quality: 8.0
Performance (Speed): 9.0
Value: 8.5

The items highlighted in red are the only two areas where they are different, or are less than the other in the ratings. As you can see, in both reviews, they are basically equal. And for that, I would have to give the edge to the Nikon D80, as it is supposedly a rival to the 30D class, and not the 40D (Nikon D200). Not saying that makes it even in all areas, as this was not a DIRECT comparison, but it did achieve marks in the areas comparable to a camera in a higher class. So for that...it can find a place on my tripod anyday!

All that remains now, is for me to take it back to Best Buy, have Ritz match the price that I had Best Buy match (Circuit City's $1159), and get the Damage Protection from Ritz! Ritz's damage protection is nigh unlimited (fire or loss not included, unless you can still see the serial numbers after fire)! Whereas, Best Buy's protection is not nearly as forgiving. When it says accidental dropping, it means accidental. With Ritz, you can run over it with your car - new camera!!! (seriously though - salesman told me and I read it in print) So I will hopefully take my first pics no later than Wednesday!

...$1,000,000 to the person who guesses the first thing I will be taking pictures of! LOL! (If you have followed me on this forum - no-brainer!)

Thanks again guys!

- Ray

 

Congrats on the new camera! Post some pics!

 

You can't go wrong with either camera. I'm curious as to what the points were that the D80 was more intuitive for a beginner.

 

I was wondering the same thing.

 

I think he was trying to say that for a beginner, it is easier to understand the controls and apply that to what I want to do, and produce the results that I want, more readily with the D80. Basically, less complicated in "beginner shooting". Not that once I get going the 40D isn't user friendly, but maybe not AS user friendly at first to a noob! (which I am, as I am just coming up from P&S, POS - depending upon perception!)

Tough pro-Canon crowd I see! Hahahahahaha!

 

Yeah, a lot of us are Canon users, but not too many irrational fanboys (or girls) around here. I'm genuinely curious about it, as I'm not familiar with the controls on the D80. I confess that when I upgraded to the 40D from the RebelXT, it took me a while to realize that there are 2 "on" positions, and only one of them enables the wheel on the back of the camera, which allows you to change your aperture.

 

I do own Canon, have for 25 years.

But the 30D or 40D isn't any harder than the D80. It's just like buying a car, when the saleperson say something, I want to know why they said it. But you did say you were talking to someone from Ritz, I did tell you that they would push Nikon. Them and Penn Camera always push Nikon.

 

Actually...that's 1/2 right JS. I talked to two Ritz reps. Two diff locations. One said Canon (Germantown), and that they were both good cameras, the other (Bethesda) said Nikon, and same politically correct comment at the end. If I think Canon is better, I am going to say Canon. I'm not going to tell someone a neutral response, unless I just plain honestly feel that way. Know what I mean? I think those guys, and some of you, reasonably so, just didn't want to make my mind up for me when I was sweatin' out a decision, which I can respect. The Bethesda guy was the one who said that the glass was better on the Nikon side! The Germantown guy said it was about the same. Although, he did say that the Canon was better for sports (fps), and that the Nikon was better for landscape and portraits! Agree?

But yeah...the reps had two diff personal faves, so I was able to get a good feel from them both. But they BOTH said that the D80 was more intuitive for the beginner, and that the 40D was more of an advanced semi-pro/pro camera. Do you not agree with that assessment? I kinda, as far as my limited knowledge will allow me to, agree with that. I mean - out the box - taking a picture the way I want to - easier to wing it on the D80 than the 40D right?

 

Haha...scroll down to the near bottom of this list...the camera gods have spoken:

Top Ten Most Popular Digital Cameras
They are making me love my camera and I haven't even opened the box!

 

I got my rebel xti which includes:

-W/18-55 lens
-4GB Micro Drive
-Digital camera carrying case and hard shell case
-5 piece cleaning kit
-full size tripod and table top tripod
-compact flash card reader
- Hi-Res wide angle conversion lens
-Hi-Res 3 piece filter kit

for around $850.00!!!!! Talk about good deal! And I love my camera! I'm still learning how to use it! hehe

 

i wouldnt trust a site that says the body only version of the 40D has a 2.4 x Optical Zoom

 

^wtf??