Nikon or Canon, which is better?

[stu123]

Im looking at DSLR's and i keep seeing Nikon and Canon, but i dont know which one is the better brand.

[PiroStitch]

This is just going to open a whole can of worms

I'm going to give the same answer I've had forever and an age. When you buy a camera, you're buying into a system regardless of the brand name. Previously everything SLR was 35mm but now you have other systems FX/FF, cropped sensor (Nikon's 1.5 v Canon's 1.6), 4/3s, Nikon's recently announced V1 system....it's even more applicable now that you're buying into a system.

Having been in both camps before, I highly recommend going to a camera store and getting the camera in your hand. Which camera body is going to make you feel comfortable? Which camera can you use easily and feel joy in using? Don't settle or compromise on this.

Something else you may need to consider especially if you want to use older lenses is that Canon changed their cameras to an EF mount system back in the late 80s. If you want to use any FD mount lenses before this, you will need an adapter.

[stu123]

i have a feeling this topic is like the age old question of 'mac vs pc', never gunna get settled

Im hoping to go into the camera store tomorrow and have a look at some cameras, see how that goes.

[Mr Darcy]

This is just going to open a whole can of worms

I'm going to give the same answer I've had forever and an age. When you buy a camera, you're buying into a system regardless of the brand name. Previously everything SLR was 35mm but now you have other systems FX/FF, cropped sensor (Nikon's 1.5 v Canon's 1.6), 4/3s, Nikon's recently announced V1 system....it's even more applicable now that you're buying into a system.

Having been in both camps before, I highly recommend going to a camera store and getting the camera in your hand. Which camera body is going to make you feel comfortable? Which camera can you use easily and feel joy in using? Don't settle or compromise on this.

Something else you may need to consider especially if you want to use older lenses is that Canon changed their cameras to an EF mount system back in the late 80s. If you want to use any FD mount lenses before this, you will need an adapter.

i have a feeling this topic is like the age old question of 'mac vs pc', never gunna get settled

Easy. Linux.

[striking]

There is not better camera, they are both the market leaders in their field.

Both produce grab photos that are only limited by the photographer. Try them both out and determine which one feels better for you.

I shoot Nikon, but many of my mates shoot Cannon.

[aim54x]

i have a feeling this topic is like the age old question of 'mac vs pc', never gunna get settled

Easy. Linux.

[gstark]

Im looking at DSLR's and i keep seeing Nikon and Canon, but i dont know which one is the better brand.

Define "better"

They're both great brands, and either of them will help you to make images.

It's you that makes the images though, so forget about the brand name, and worry only about what feels best in your hands.

Then learn the basics, and work your way up from there.

[surenj]

They are both better for different things.

[ATJ]

Canon comes before Nikon alphabetically.

Canon's models will be sorted alphabetically before Nikon's on Windows systems but after them on a Mac.

Canon make office equipment. Nikon make binoculars and medical equipment.

[dviv]

Canon make office equipment. Nikon make binoculars and medical equipment.

Sorry to be pedantic but Canon also make binoculars (I have a pair of each brand) and medical equipment - http://www.canon.com/products/industry.html

As far as your choice between Canon and Nikon - I agree with the "try both in your hands and see which you like better" comments.

Nikons don't fit my (admitedly strangely shaped) hands, whereas Canon's feel comfortable. Also, the buttons and menu systems make more sense to me than the Nikons - although this is probably more to do with familiarity than anything else.

Which ever you pick - enjoy it

[ATJ]

Sorry to be pedantic but Canon also make binoculars (I have a pair of each brand) and medical equipment - http://www.canon.com/products/industry.html

My comment was nothing about the merits of either company or their products but merely to provide a silly answer to a silly question.

Oh... and my comments were 100% accurate, Canon do may office equipment and Nikon do make binoculars.

[Reschsmooth]

Im looking at DSLR's and i keep seeing Nikon and Canon, but i dont know which one is the better brand.

They both are, but neither is.

[Murray Foote]

Simple answer: whichever you buy is the best and nothing else is as good.

Ask most people about their brand and that's what they'll tell you, so it must be true.

[stu123]

Well i guess there is no magic formular for choosing a camera (kinda hoping there was ).
Thanks for the input though

[sirhc55]

Always remember that good photography is in the eye and hands of the operator - the camera is just a recording device

[chrisk]

contrary to popluar belief there are other alternatives to the big 2. have you considered 4/3 ? olympus and lumix have got their shit together.

[sirhc55]

I’m with Rooz on this. I used Nikon from 1966 through til last year and now I have only Olympus Micro 4/3rds