Author Topic: Nikon vs Canon  (Read 23605 times)

Nikon vs Canon
on: June 11, 2011, 20:09:14 PM
Well I'm not sure if its just me but I tend to see some friction between nikon and canon owners, maybe some fanboi'ism or something.

I for one have been a canon fan from day one.. and yes a bit of a fanboi, starting debates with nikon owners and the like.

You can imagine then perhaps how annoyed I was when I collected my new pair of glasses today to be told the lenses are nikon (they used to use zeiss).. so now I'm almost permanently experiencing life through nikon glass.. arghhh!!

Re: Nikon vs Canon
Reply #1 on: June 11, 2011, 20:16:49 PM
Haha. Lift must look pretty good right now!


Ive always been Nikon. I found cheap starter Canons way too toy-like (the 350D at the time) compared to the cheaper more substantial Nikons (D70).


In reality I dont think there is an difference at all.
Formerly sexytw

Re: Nikon vs Canon
Reply #2 on: June 12, 2011, 09:34:02 AM
I don't think comparing the 350D to the D70 is entirely fair, the D70 was more 20D class with the D50 being the base model IIRC.

Personally of course I think you're all wrong because Pentax is clearly the best :D


With a purchase as expensive and difficult to reverse as choosing a camera system, there is inevitably going to be confirmation bias. Everyone wants to believe that they made the best possible choice because the alternative is realising that you'd really like to sell the lot and buy into a different system, which is both expensive and a massive hassle.

In my experience, the very best photographers I've talked to have held the opinion that, baring some very specific applications where one brand has a niche advantage, it doesn't matter a damn what brand is on the strap. If it's an SLR with decent glass then the quality of the image is 99.9% down to who's eye it's held up to.

Re: Nikon vs Canon
Reply #3 on: June 12, 2011, 11:24:01 AM
I think Mongoose got it about right (bar the Pentax bit of course :P)

People generally buy into a system when they start off for some reason that's sound at the time, I got a Nikon camera because I'd used a Nikon D2H in my last job and they had a couple of lenses I could borrow.  Similarly I bet a lot of people buy into Canon or Nikon because of people they know already having gear they can borrow and learn from, a friend of mine did that, he bought a Nikon D3000 for £200 and has borrowed my 18-55mm kit lens and my 70-300mm.  Its enough to get him going until he can buy his own lenses.  The other major factor is probably cost, I haven't looked into it but I seem to remember people saying that Canon were slightly cheaper especially for lenses.

There's no denying that each system has its positives and negatives, Nikon have the better ISO range at the mo, Canon have higher MP and a larger lens range (especially a good range of F4 lenses) although Nikon are starting to wise up to it and hopefully we'll see a good range from them too.

But really there's not that much in it, I bet you can't look at a picture and say it was taken with a canon or a nikon (or a pentax for that matter) without looking at the EXIF.

Re: Nikon vs Canon
Reply #4 on: June 12, 2011, 14:47:53 PM
nikon cameras, but cannon lens
but its 99% behind who' pressing the button.

Re: Nikon vs Canon
Reply #5 on: June 14, 2013, 12:07:56 PM
Dragging this back from the depths (for giggles)

New glasses today back to Carl Zeiss lenses and everything looks much better now ;)

  • Offline zpyder

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Re: Nikon vs Canon
Reply #6 on: June 14, 2013, 15:36:17 PM
I'd agree it's more the lens quality than the camera, and also 99% the photographer, but I've noticed that it seems that Nikons and Canons tend to be more popular in certain applications, and came to the conclusion that it might be to do with price brackets and perceived value for money.

EG, I personally feel that I see more "low end" "first slr" photographers are getting the Canons. But the more savvy amateur/hobby photographer seems to usually have a Nikon. This also includes Nikons prevalance in forensic photography, and I think this is due to being good mid-range price bracket cameras, which I'd imagine would ideally fit the typical budget in the departments I've encountered this. But then, at the uber high end price bracket, it seems to swing back to Canon.


  • Offline bear

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Re: Nikon vs Canon
Reply #7 on: June 14, 2013, 15:49:51 PM
LEICA M9 perhaps they have good lenses :) or perhaps a hasselblad digital back for yer old camera. ( I cannot afford any of them ).

  • Offline Sam

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Re: Nikon vs Canon
Reply #8 on: June 14, 2013, 17:56:06 PM
I had a nikon D5000. And my pictures were sh*t.
Now I have a Canon 550D.  And my pictures are sh*t.

So it makes no difference if you're sh*t at taking photos.

  • Offline Adrock

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Re: Nikon vs Canon
Reply #9 on: August 17, 2013, 23:37:12 PM
Rather than start a new thread I'd like to ask the people in this place. Any opinions for a starting SLR camera? The missus has said for ages that she wants one and her birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks.

I want something that will last but I have no clue and no desire to learn about photography. So basically I need to be led to a product that'll be good quality and maybe have a decent option with lenses.

As for budget, I always like to go for the best bang for my buck, but I cant spend loads. I have no allegiance to any brands either.
Last Edit: August 17, 2013, 23:45:24 PM by Adrock #187;

Re: Nikon vs Canon
Reply #10 on: August 18, 2013, 00:59:42 AM
Are you set on a DSLR? 3/4 NEX like cameras are now (imo) more practical and just as good for 99% of non professional applications. They are more expensive though, as are the lenses.

Assuming yourewife doesn't have friends who are into photography who she could chat cameras / lenses (if thats the case then go for what they have) then Canon/Nikon/Sony makes no difference. Canon and Nikon have more 2nd hand lenses around but Sony has better bang for buck as an absolute camera. I bought my younger sister in law a little A60 sony recently and its packed with genuinely helpful instructional guides to ISO / aperture /  shutter speed.

Saying that, depending on her views, a second hand DSLR is more than enough to challenge a beginner. I still use a base model from 2004 (Nikon D70). She may be normal though and only like shiney new things as presents.
Formerly sexytw

  • Offline zpyder

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Re: Nikon vs Canon
Reply #11 on: August 18, 2013, 08:51:41 AM
What *is* your budget? Are you wanting to buy new or second hand?

What Addictweb said about what friends have, is probably the most important thing. It's soo useful if you just have a "brand x" body and one lens, but your friend has more. It's free lens-rental :D

  • Offline Adrock

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Re: Nikon vs Canon
Reply #12 on: August 19, 2013, 17:33:51 PM
Her mum has some kind of Canon DSLR. What are these NEX cameras you mentioned?

As for budget, I'm not entirely sure. Entry level DSLR is probably what I wanna go for, mainly because she only wants it for family outings and all that.

Re: Nikon vs Canon
Reply #13 on: August 19, 2013, 17:49:15 PM
Sony NEX 5 / 6 /7 are a range of smaller 3/4 size cameras with detachable lenses. Their performance is much the same as other lower end DSLRs but they're much more compact. A good friend of mine has sold his top end DSLR recently because it became so unused since he bought a NEX 7.

http://www.dabs.com/products/sony-a-nex-3nl---digital-camera---mirrorless-system---16-1-mpix---16-50mm-lens---black-8MQ6.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc
Formerly sexytw

Re: Nikon vs Canon
Reply #14 on: August 19, 2013, 20:29:17 PM
Her mum has some kind of Canon DSLR. What are these NEX cameras you mentioned?

As for budget, I'm not entirely sure. Entry level DSLR is probably what I wanna go for, mainly because she only wants it for family outings and all that.

They are mirrorless, with micro 4/3rd sensors. So small and light but similar capabilities to a crop sensor SLR just without the mirror.

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