Digital cameras: Canon 40D vs. Nikon D80
Canon 40D vs. Nikon D80
by argetlam2103 - 7/14/08 8:45 AMHey guys, I'm looking to upgrade from my current ultracompact Nikon S5 to my first dSLR but I'm not sure which direction to go. I like the 40D & the D80 which, IMO, seem to be the two comparable models in their respective lines.
I've handled both of them and prefer certain ergonomic aspects of both (the weight and build of the Nikon, the overall size and LCD of the Canon) but I'm looking for some definitive answers from those who have owned either or both.
I'm not looking to buy one until around Thanksgiving, so I have plenty of time to continue my research. I'd like to keep my total purchase under $1,000 even though that'll pigeon-hole me into being stuck with the kit lens for a while. I don't see this as a major setback though since I'm a novice and won't know any better regardless, lol.
Any help you can send my way would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
you need prices to go down further
by kalel33 - 7/14/08 1:50 PM In reply to: Canon 40D vs. Nikon D80 by argetlam2103The 40D with the kit is over your budget. You might look at the XSI, unless the size is a problem. The 40D and the D80 are two different class of cameras. The D300 is the one that matches up to the 40D. The D80 is an entry level along with the XSI.
Canon 40D - Nikon D80
by snapshot2
- 7/14/08 2:16 PM
In reply to: Canon 40D vs. Nikon D80 by argetlam2103
If your total price is $1,000, the Canon 40D is above your limit.
If you find a price lower than $1,000 for a 40D camera/lens kit, be careful.
There are a lot of "bait and switch" merchants that advertise to 40D kit below $1,000.
If you use Google to find the best camera price, be extra careful.
They accept advertising from questionable merchants.
If you find yourself looking at:
everyprice.com
lowpricedigital.com
shopcartusa.com
run away quickly.
They are "shill" sites for "bait and switch" merchants.
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My Bad
by argetlam2103 - 7/14/08 7:06 PM In reply to: Canon 40D - Nikon D80 by snapshot2
Hey guys, sorry for my blunder. I'd been scoping out the 40D just for fun. When I went into the store, I actually handled the D80 & the XSi. So my real question is between the two, which is the preferable model?
Also, I read a user review on the D80 and he said to pass on it in favor of the older D40 (the review is here: http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/nikon-d80/4864-6501_7-32004258.html?messageID=2530209)
Is there any validity to that statement?
Thanks.
one's newer with more features
by kalel33 - 7/14/08 7:31 PM In reply to: My Bad by argetlam2103The XSI has more features because it's a over year and a half newer camera. I expect Nikon coming out with a D90 this fall to match up against the XSI(but that's just my opinion). If this is your first DSLR then either camera will work beyond your skill and ability. If you plan on developing your skills, which will later mean different lens, then you need to think more about which system you want to be part of. Once you make that choice, it would be an expensive thing to change to a different brand.
Package on Nikon D40 for much less than $1000
by JamesKelty - 7/19/08 10:27 PM In reply to: Canon 40D - Nikon D80 by snapshot2
I recently purchased a Nikon D40 kit from ShopSunshine in Brooklyn, Ny over the web and got the camera with 18-55 lens and the 55-200 along with both a soft and hard camera case, telephoto lens, digital slave flash, tripod (2), 3 filter lens, charger +ac/dc charger, 4GB & !GB memory cards, +other accessories for much less than a $1000. They shipped me goods with us warrenties, didn't try to sell me what I didn't want, and provided outstanding customer service on a small problem I had. I would not be afraid to buy from them again and have recommended them to my family.
CAUTION!
by snapshot2 - 7/20/08 7:37 AM
In reply to: Package on Nikon D40 for much less than $1000 by JamesKelty
ResellerRatings.com rates ShopSunshine.com as 7.18 out of 10.
That rating is for the past 6 months.
They show a number of very dissatisfied customers.
The dissatisfied customers complain about high pressure selling, receiving grey market and even stolen equipment,
I suggest you go to:
http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Shopsunshine_Sunshine_Electronics_DSN_Digital_Shopping_Network
and read ALL of the customer feedback messages before you decide to trust this merchant with your money.
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For your budget, Nikon. For the quality in its class, Canon
by lueeluee - 7/14/08 4:48 PM In reply to: Canon 40D vs. Nikon D80 by argetlam2103Overall, the Canon 40D and the Nikon D80 are very similar cameras'; the Nikon is considered a prosumer level camera while the Canon is considered by some as a professional level camera. They both have 10 megapixels, both are from a great company, and both have a lot of lenses and accessories to back them up. One of the biggest differences is in the fps (frames per second). The Nikon shoots at around 3fps while the Canon doubles that at 6.5fps. This means that it you put the camera into its maximum shutter speed and hold down the trigger, the Nikon or Canon will shoot 3 or 6.5fps respectively. It you are more likely to leave the camera on auto and simply take everyday pictures with it, Nikon may be the better choice. It you are planning to really get into the camera and play with the setting, such as ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed, etc, Canon may be the better choice; Canon also has 3 additional slots on the mode dial that you can customize and give personal settings to. Personally, I have the 40D and love it, though I did compare it to the D80 before purchasing. One of my family members has the D80 so I do know both camera fairly well. If we go back to your budget, the Nikon D80 with a lens can probably be found for under $1000. Though, if you want to go with the Canon, you will pay around $1,200-$1,400 depending on where you shop. The first thing I recommend doing, is going to the store and picking them both up, take some pictures, and test out the cameras in person. This will give you a better idea of how they will feel being carried around on a day-to-day basis. Next, go back and really compare the features side-by-side, make a list if you have to, and see what the cameras offer, and which features you need, and don't. For a site geared specifically toward cameras, try: [www.dpreview.com]. There, you can compare all of their features side-by-side, and read reviews on them. I use Cnet a lot though I have found that dpreview gives you a lot more info on cameras and they specific abilities. Good luck on your decision making. Cheers.
I'm mostly concerned about the user experience...
by argetlam2103 - 7/15/08 6:49 AM In reply to: For your budget, Nikon. For the quality in its class, Canon by lueeluee@dotchrisk
Thanks for your lengthy explanation. It helped clarify some of my issues.
Concerning the D80 & the XSi
My biggest holdup at the moment is the intuitiveness of the menu system and the degree of customization that each camera has. I've read that the D80 is the more customizable of the two, but I'm not experienced enough to notice a thing like that while I'm handling it in-store. So...which camera is the better option for personlization and why? What does one offer that the other doesn't (sans frivolous marketing gimmicks)?
I definitely want the ability to "grow into" my new camera instead of buying for the skillset I currently have. I love to take pictures of my family and since I'm a big guy (6', 220) I don't think the heavier Nikon will be an issue, but I could be wrong. So my question is whether or not the weight difference is reason enough to lean toward the XSi?
On the nature of price, both cameras are priced at $899 (with kit lens) at the local camera store, so I won't be able to decide strictly on price alone.
I hope my dilemma is a little clearer now and that someone can help me.
Again, any and all help is appreciated.
Thanks.
Owner's Opinions
by snapshot2 - 7/15/08 7:30 AM
In reply to: I'm mostly concerned about the user experience... by argetlam2103
Here is a link:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_eos450d%2Cnikon_d80&show=all
Notice the red stars.
They are the rating given by owners of the cameras.
Right under the red stars is a link to Owner's Opinions.
Click that link and you can read what owners have to say about their cameras.
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Thanks & Lenses...
by argetlam2103 - 7/15/08 12:58 PM In reply to: Owner's Opinions by snapshot2
@ snapshot2
Thanks for that link. It helped clarify a lot of my questions and it gave me some serious food for thought. I made sure to bookmark some of the reviews in order to reference later on.
One thing I didn't think to ask earlier is about the kit lenses. I know I said I'm fine settling for the kit lenses initially (and I am) but which kit lens is superior? Is it like comparing apples to apples or apples to oranges? Again, we're talking about the D80 vs. XSi.
The reason I'm asking is because I'm reading professional reviews on the D80 from 2006 and they're talking about how great the included kit lens is. Now I'm curious as to whether Canon's newer kit lens is better in any fashion and if the Nikon kit lens is indeed as good as I'm reading about.
Thanks.
plusses and minuses
by kalel33 - 7/15/08 1:57 PM In reply to: Thanks & Lenses... by argetlam2103The D80's kit lens is a very good range, but it lacks image stabilization which you would want in the higher focal ranges. Also, large focal range lens usually are not as good as short focal length lens. If you bought the D80, I would suggest getting the body and buying a lens with VR. The Canon kit lens has been reviewed at a number of different sites giving it extremely high reviews for a kit lens. They have a lens that matches up well with the XSI kit which is the 55-250mm lens.
Which Lens?
by argetlam2103 - 7/15/08 2:35 PM In reply to: plusses and minuses by kalel33@ kalel33
Thanks for the review. I wonder though if it'd be worth the extra $ to buy a VR lens straight off the bat since I'd only be saving $100 by going body-only. I think it's a pretty safe assumption that any halfway-decent VR lens is gonna run me close to $200 (minimum). Wouldn't you?
Would you say that the Canon kit is worth buying over the Nikon kit? At the end of your post, you said, "They have a lens that matches up well with the XSI kit which is the 55-250mm lens." You had been talking about the XSi kit lens in the previous sentence, and when you said "they" I got thrown off. Were you referring to Nikon or another company? Or possibly even Canon again?
Back to the D80 for a second. If I were to skip the kit lens and buy a superior lens, which would you suggest? I'm not looking to spend more than $300 though, because my budget still sits at $1,000. I'm sure that cap will severely restrict the number of lenses that I'll be looking at, lol.
Finally, as a novice, do you think I'd be able to notice any significant difference in my pictures taken with either the kit lens or the VR lens (aside from the obvious vibration reduction in telephoto & low light/high ISO shots)?
Thanks.
some possible answers
by kalel33 - 7/15/08 3:25 PM In reply to: Which Lens? by argetlam2103Both kit lens are reviewed as performing well, but without image stabilization you could have a some blurry shots in the longer focal range. Shorter focal ranges typically perform better than their larger focal range counter parts. The difference though is that you still have a good lens in the Nikon larger focal range kit, but you would not have to change lens that often.
You could buy the 18-55mmIS lens with the XSI and later you can purchase the 55-250mm. That would give you 29-400mm(when considering the 1.6x sensor factor). The 55-250mm runs $280.
If you can find it, they used to sell a kit with the D80 with an 18-55mm, but it still does not have image stabilization. You can buy the 18-55mm VR lens for $170 off of Amazon. It would be worth the extra $70.
In the end, the difference between the lens and bodies will not be apparent in a novice's hands. Both will give you room to go and the ability to produce wonderful images. I'm still the weakest link in photos....not my camera or lens.
29-400mm?
by argetlam2103 - 7/16/08 7:12 AM In reply to: some possible answers by kalel33Kalel33, I get where you got the 400mm high-end range (250 * 1.6 = 400) but where did you get the 29mm equivalent?
Thanks.
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