Ive got a Nikon D5000 but the next camera will be a Canon. Im into astrophotography and theres alot more aftermarket support for canons. That being said for normal photography I loved my Nikon and theres really no difference between the 2 Imo. Just find a place that sells both and handle them and pick the one that feels better.

 

go to a place like best buy and pick up both side by side and see which one you like better for button layout, ease of handling, and comfort in holding.

 

Both will take GREAT pictures and have more features then you'll probally ever use.
It's really all about which interface you like best. You should go to a store that has both cameras and see which one you find to be the most intuitive. Don't rule out a good point and shoot like the Canon G12. I use my point and shoot way more than my DSLR, simply because it's compact. I carry it everywhere. My DSLR usually sits at home, unless I know I going out just to take pics or know I'll need a long lens. I use my wide angle lens the most.

 

I was in the same predicament as you several years ago. I decided on Canon because there is a lot more aftermarket/third-party products available and the lenses are much cheaper than Nikon's.

I would also suggest spending the few extra $$$ on the T4i. It has the new Digic5 processor, better low-light/high ISO capabilities and can auto-focus in Live View and when shooting videos. If not, check Canon's website for their factory refurbs.

http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/subCategory_10051_10051_-1_29252#

 

Thanks guys.

The T4i seems a bit more expensive then what I'd want to pay but if it is truly worth it then I'd consider it. Low light in my opinion is a great benefit. I don't like when colors aren't vivid in a lower light condition and it becomes more challenging to focus as well.

I for sure would spend time holding them side by side. But for menu's and buttons that seems difficult to do in a store since I won't really know how to navigate to where i want to go. I hear the Canon is more intuitive with menu layouts over the Nikon. I have a Canon now and it requires button combinations sometimes to where I think it should have been a dedicated button, but I have learned it and remember those features now.

I didn't realize the Canon line offered more expandability nor did I realize they had cheaper accessories. That's a big factor as the collection grows.

I am sure they will both do more than what is within my capabilities. That's why I don't want to look at anything of a higher level, It would be more of a waste of money for me.

Would anybody suggest NOT getting either of these (aside from the T4i upgrade). At this level of camera, is there any measurable difference between 16 and 18 megapixels?

Also, the DSLR would be for those times when I plan to go shooting. Otherwise, the smaller one is what I'd grab just to have.

Thanks for your help so far - it's helpful.

 

When I got my nikon I read the entire users manual. Now its kept in my camera bag next to the camera for reference. Its not always easy to just add a new button, theres cost and space issues when designing things like this. Hell theres a button combo to change the aperature an my D5000.

 

I've owned 3 nikons (D40, D3100, currently own the D5100) and couldn't be happier with the performance and capabilities of them.. Like everyone else said, it all comes down to personal preference and what camera feels right in your hands.. the t3i and d5100 are very comparable to each other but the d5100 has a few advantages over the t3i

lower noise at high ISO
better ISO boost - 25,600 vs 12,800
more dynamic range
automatic bracketing
slightly better color depth - 23.5 bits vs 22.1 bits
larger image sensor
more focus points - 11 vs 9
and it costs about $70 dollars less than the t3i

 

Megapixels to me is just marketing hype. It's what the manufacturers use to make you think you need the camera with the higher resolution. The only time anything larger than 10MP is needed is when you are producing poster-prints or larger. That's why commercial photographers that do billboard images or those huge wall prints you see at the mall, use medium format cameras that have 60MP sensors. For what the portraits that I do, I personally would not want to go over 25MP. I would like the resolution headroom that size would give me should I need to crop-in tighter on a subject and then blow-it up. However, anything that large or bigger will start to give you storage issues. The 15MP sensor in my Canon 50D produces 25MB RAW images. If I have to layer and stack an image in photoshop, That RAW image can get as high as 100MB easily.

What you really want to watch for as an amateur photographer is ease of use (whether it's the ergonomics of the layout and/or the fit in your hand), performance (helps you accomplish your needs/wants like low light/high ISO, shots per second, color and focus accuracy), overall cost of ownership (ie. future upgrades like faster, large aperture lenses, flashes, battery grips, etc). I suggest joining the Canon, Nikon and general photography forums and read around about the models you're interested in. You will at least get a strong idea of what they're like based on actual user feedback.

 

Well it depends on what kind of photography you are doing with the megapixels. For what I do high megapixels is pretty important, but OP isnt trying to do that so what you are saying is correct. Just wanted to give OP as much info as possible.

 

In all honest I figured the 16 megapixels would be at least sufficient. I'm not making posters and any cropping I do is typically a smaller percentage of an image, not so much like cropping out a person when the photo was taken from a mile away. More or less just to clean it up to make up for zooming mistakes during the shot.
I think my P&S is 16mb and I do not have any problems with that being 'too small'.

DB, who are you calling an amateur!? J/k! That is a lot of great info, thanks for sharing.

I'd definitely be sitting and reading the manual. That's what I do anyway so nothing new there. Then rereading as I learn to absorb things I didn't understand the first time around.

You guys are a great help!

 

Hey, we're all amateurs at one point! I know I still am!! :lol:

Another great book is Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson

 

The deciding factor for me several years ago in the Nikon vs. Canon showdown was the warranty...so I wound up with a Nikon. I also prefer their lens design, plus my family has a few Nikons already so I can always mooch different lenses for a day or two.

 

Just bought a Nikon D5100 with lens kit for my wife's birthday and it's amazing.
I googled around for a few days before deciding on it.

I bought it off crutchfield because I know their support is fantastic
Nikon D5100 Kit 16.2-megapixel digital SLR camera with 18-55mm lens & HD movie mode at Crutchfield.com

 

I'm fortunate in that I don't have lenses already so that frees up my decision making.

 

I went to the camera store today and checked out the two cameras. The dude backed up all of your thoughts as well as my own in that at that price for the comparisons they are similar enough that I could pick either one and be more than satisfied.

Now I guess it's just a matter of wanting to throw over the high dollars to justify the purchase.

 

Nikon D7000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

right.... :roll: i'm sure he wants to spend $1,100 on a D7000.. might as well go all out and get a D800, it's only about $2,400 more than the D5100 :shrug:

 

haha nice. Walking out of the door for under a grand is my goal. And with the sales equal to $750 I think I'm good! (except for stupid sales tax)

 

Nikon D5100 bundle @ Adorama; Nikon D5100 DX-Format Digital SLR Camera with 18mm - 55mm Bundle 25478 C

Canon T3i with 2 lenses @ Adorama; Canon EOS Rebel T3i Digital SLR Camera w/18-55mm and 75-300mm III #5169B003 5169B003 L2

Both are free shipping an no tax

 

Those are some pretty good prices. I've seen Canon and Nikon offering up the bundles. I think my local store was offering the bundle with an 18/150 lens but Costco has it withe either a 250 or 300mm lens.

Exciting!

 

I am in the same boat as you right now somewhat.

I currently shoot with an Olympus E-620 and it does a fantastic job, however the money you need to spend on glass is insane. For that reason I am looking at switching to a Nikon/Cannon.

There is a lightly used d5100 around here for $475 right now, I am sure I can get him down a few more $$. However, my dad has a T3I that he stole for $250 with the 18-55 lens and it does a wonderfull job, and its also a lot easier to find a used lens for Nikon/Canon. My dad said he would be upgrading within the year and would sell me his for a good price with an extra zoom lens. I was offered $250-$300 for my Olympus setup at the pawn shop, not bad considering I paid $400 for the kit from my dad 1.5years ago.

urg, decisions.

 

I know what you're saying. I was leaning towards the T3i, but a friend said he wasn't super happy with it. So I looked more at the Nikon again. I know both will be good.....just gotta go buy one I guess.

My mom has a T3i and had an SLR in the past. Her lenses work with the DSLR but not all can either do auto-focus or don't work with IS. I forgot what it is. I think it's the IS that doesn't work on her new camera with old lenses. So use caution in your decision in using old glass with the new body.

There is a local craigs list ad here for like $850 on the Nikon. Two lenses, memory cards and I think 2 flashes. Would be a good buy with as much equipment as is offered, but I am looking for warranty for those 'accidental drop' days.

 

Canon IS (image stabilization) and Nikon VR 9vibration reduction) systems are lens based. Older lenses will not have IS/VR.

Older Canon EF lenses will autofocus on the new EOS cameras. I'm sure the same can be said for Nikon lenses as well.

 

Gotcha. I didn't know IS wasn't part of the older lenses. That was it, the stabilization doesn't work. I know it is in the lenses now though. Good info!

 

Here's a helluva deal on the Canon T41 WITH both of the ne STM lenses. The 18-135 IS STM and the 40mm pancake STM for $899 and free shipping. This kit sold for $1400 when it first came out. After you click on the link, add it to your cart to see the price.

Canon EOS Rebel T4i Digital Camera with EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6

 

Regarding the shake reduction/image stabilization, on Pentax cameras it's part of the camera, not the lens so even older lenses will benefit from the SR. That's a pretty bit plus in my opinion as you can find some beauty used lenses out there. Sorry to veer off the Canon/Nikon thing... in any case, I'd go Nikon for reliability. My next camera- Pentax K5!