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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Nikon D50 or Rebel XT?
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 02/11/2006 11:58:34 AM · #1
I really want a D20 but can't afford it plus I think I'd rather spend the extra money on good glass. I never really looked into the Nikon too much cause I've always had Canon's. Plus the price difference between the D50 and the XT haven't been that great. Well that has all changed since I walked into a Cord Camera yesterday and they have their D50's w/ kit lens for $599!!!! Is this worth it? Seems like a no brainer to me, but like I said I don't know too much about this camera. What do you guys think? Thanks.
 02/11/2006 12:03:09 PM · #2
Well, I'm not sure if this helps but I love my D50 and have not regretted the decision at all.
 02/11/2006 12:11:09 PM · #3
The D50 has the same sensor as the D70-D70s and I like mine.It seems to me you would be hard pressed to find a better deal to get you into a dSLR.

Nikon makes great glass and you can keep that almost forever (same f mount since the 60's) and just upgrade bodies. This ofcourse is predicated on the fact that you have no investment in lenses.

I say go for it!

The Wazzzzzzzz
 02/11/2006 12:19:22 PM · #4
DP Review of the D50 has some comparisons to the XT.
//www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond50/

Current issue of Popular Photography just compared all the entry level dslrs and they rated the XT first overall and in imaging, while D50 was third in imaging.

In terms of image quality, I think XT is better with more MP, less noise, and better colors. Ergonomics wise, I think Nikon is better.
You should goto a local store and see how they feel to you. If neither one feel horrible, then I'd probably go with the XT. If you don't like the XT's ergonomics/how it feels, and the D50 feels good, then I'd go for that.
 02/11/2006 12:20:04 PM · #5
Unless you have a specific need for 8mp, go for the Nikon. The platforms are roughly equal, but the Nikon has a larger screen , more comfortable grip, even less noise, and a considerably lower price tag. (Hehe... Yido and I just posted conflicting opinions.)

Message edited by author 2006-02-11 12:23:52.
 02/11/2006 12:23:54 PM · #6
Originally posted by yido:
DP Review of the D50 has some comparisons to the XT.
//www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond50/

Current issue of Popular Photography just compared all the entry level dslrs and they rated the XT first overall and in imaging, while D50 was third in imaging.

In terms of image quality, I think XT is better with more MP, less noise, and better colors. Ergonomics wise, I think Nikon is better.
You should goto a local store and see how they feel to you. If neither one feel horrible, then I'd probably go with the XT. If you don't like the XT's ergonomics/how it feels, and the D50 feels good, then I'd go for that.

I've held both and loved the feel of the Nikon. I wasn't impressed with the XT unfortunately.
 02/11/2006 12:25:01 PM · #7
How big of a difference is the 6.3mp to the 8.0 of the XT? On dpreview it says that the D50 sensor is larger. Would this result in better images and noise reduction?
 02/11/2006 12:28:55 PM · #8
The Rebel is better. Lower noise than any nikon, lower ISO option too. More MP is not that big a deal most of the time, but you can eitehr get bigger prints or crop in more for the same size print.

Popular Photography has a comparison of them in the most recent issue (i got it 2 days ago in the mail - should be just coming onto newstands).

Alot of what your buying is more than the camera body, but the whole system -lenses, flashes, support, future upgrades, past products you can buy used.
 02/11/2006 12:29:06 PM · #9
Originally posted by A4wheelin:
How big of a difference is the 6.3mp to the 8.0 of the XT?


Not much. I'm pretty sure the D50 has less noise at high ISO settings (Popular Photography agrees), it also focuses faster in low light, has a higher flash sync speed, and longer battery life. One the other hand, its burst rate isn't as fast as the Rebel, and it doesn't have a light for the LCD data panel.

Message edited by author 2006-02-11 12:32:39.
 02/11/2006 12:30:29 PM · #10
The difference for me is output (I.E. print sizes) you can get a 6mp image upto 16x20 with interpolation and the 8mp can go a little bigger.
Thats on inkjets and such. In offset printing its more like 11x17 depending on LPI.
 02/11/2006 12:34:09 PM · #11
I selected the Nikon D50, in part, because of its lower noise when compared to competing cameras. If low noise was the only consideration, then the Konica-Minolta 5D may be a better choice. I do like the ergonomics of the D50, feels good in my hands. My shooting buddy's Canon XT is not nearly so comfortable to hold.
I also have a Nikon 8800 with an 8 megapixel sensor. The larger pixel count does make a difference when cropping the image down, but the higher quality of the D50 image permits about the same capability.
 02/13/2006 11:46:11 AM · #12
There is very low noise on d50. I love it very much and think you should just go for it and get a Nikon. I also think there are better lenses for Nikon. But maybe that's just me (and other Nikon owners :D)

Here is a picture taken on iso 1600

Exposure time: 1/100 sec
Apperture: f/4.5
02/13/2006 11:49:40 AM · #13
Originally posted by ElGordo:
If low noise was the only consideration, then the Konica-Minolta 5D may be a better choice.


The Nikon D50 and Minolta 5D use the same sensor, and their noise characteristics are similar.
 02/13/2006 12:35:35 PM · #14
Originally posted by scalvert:
Originally posted by ElGordo:
If low noise was the only consideration, then the Konica-Minolta 5D may be a better choice.


The Nikon D50 and Minolta 5D use the same sensor, and their noise characteristics are similar.


True, both cameras use the same Sony produced ccd sensor. However, Imaging Resource, DP Review, and Steve's Digicams all rate the 5D as having slightly lower noise. K-M must be doing something with in camera processing that is not done by Nikon, or perhaps a different AA and hot mirror assembly over the sensor. Whatever the reason, the consensus is that the 5D is lower noise.
edit:spelling.

Message edited by author 2006-02-13 12:37:03.
 02/13/2006 01:03:36 PM · #15
Seems there is conflicting opinion on the noise issue in this thread (what a surprise, LOL). I rate DPReview about the highest in how complete their reviews are. Here is the excerpt form their review:

"We were probably the most surprised by the D50's noise levels, Nikon has clearly spent time since the creation of the D70 on design changes to keep noise down. The D50 has the lowest noise levels of any of the affordable digital SLR's we've tested (although they're all fairly clean, we're talking fractions here)."

and an overall opinion on build:

"The nicest thing about the D50 however is that it just feels right, build wise it's a step above the Canon EOS 350D and Pentax *ist DS, it's also not too small, I'm all for making cameras lighter but there's a limit as to how small you can make an SLR before the hand grip feels cramped and controls begin to get in the way. The D50 feels as responsive as any film camera and is a pleasure to shoot with. The only change I would make would probably be a larger viewfinder view (like that of the Pentax *ist DS)."

Heck, I'm looking for a second body and can't afford the D200 at the moment. I'm thinking of picking up a D50 myself now!

02/13/2006 01:10:34 PM · #16
I have gone through the same dilemma about three months ago. I chose D50 and have not regretted it. The two cameras are very similar as far as image quality goes, so the differences are those little things that may or may not be important to different people. I'm sure you'd be happy with either camera, just try them out both and see what works best for you.

Consider not getting the D50's kit lens. Many D70 and D70s owners are buying the new 18-200mm and selling off their 18-70mm kit lenses, and, from what I've seen, the 18-70 is a better lens than the 18-55mm from the D50 kit.

But, if you decide to get the kit lens, I've read that the Nikon 18-55mm is slightly better than the Canon's 18-55mm that comes with the XT kit.
 02/13/2006 01:14:42 PM · #17
DIWA has just selected the Nikon D50 as "The best of the best" for digital system cameras, giving the D50 the Platinum Award!
 02/13/2006 01:18:49 PM · #18
Originally posted by agenkin:
Consider not getting the D50's kit lens. Many D70 and D70s owners are buying the new 18-200mm and selling off their 18-70mm kit lenses .......


Like me! If interested in an 18-70 D70 kit lens see here:

Nikon Lenses for Sale

I know - shameless of me.
 02/13/2006 01:38:34 PM · #19
Opinions on noise generally tend to fluctuate. Nikon does some pretty decent stuff in practice (not excessive use of in camera noise elimination) and has larger pixels than the 350, so logically should create less noise before noise reduction.

There are so many variables with noise that it's very tough to find the truth.

I'd say it comes down more to comfort and what lenses will you end up buying?

I looked at getting 4 or 5 lenses with the Nikon system and compared the same kit to Canon. I found the lens kit was about 400-500 dollars US more with Nikon. That's a pretty significant chunk of change, so I made my decision in Canon. I've already picked up a really decent deal on an L series lens, so my pricing has become even better. The fact that Canon has such a strong foothold in the market can also be a plus due to greater availability of second hand choices too.

I see TONS of old Nikon lenses in the stores that don't even do second hand product anymore, all of them are covered with thick dust. That's a pretty scary message.

As far as the 350XT is concerned, I liked that it felt more compact than the D50. I felt that the D50 felt cheap and plasticky in my hand when comparing directly in the store. I took about 200 pics with the D50 too.

I've heard that the Nikon kit 18-55 is less than the Canon version in a number of places.

This is the first I've heard someone say it is better. And I started a thread specifically on the subject a few months back.

The 18-70 kit lens is another story, but doesn't come with the D50.

If you want to get a bunch of lenses, I'd recommend Canon. Not for quality, as they are both good, but for price.

If you don't, I'd skip the Nikon and grab an older Konica 5D. The Minolta lens mount system will likely be carried on by Sony, so you should be good for a while yet. Lenses are roughly the same price Nikon to Konica Minolta, but you can also go with Sigma and get some pretty decent quality. Can't find any benefits to owning the D50 that anti-shake doesn't squash.
 02/13/2006 01:43:17 PM · #20
The D50 (with lens) is $570 shipped at Amazon. I don't think this is the usual kit lens, though.

Message edited by author 2006-02-13 17:12:48.
 02/13/2006 03:41:14 PM · #21
A comparison of several popular DSLR cameras with respect to noise. Source: Imatest review at Imaging Resource.

02/13/2006 04:36:26 PM · #22
D50 body only is $550 at B&H:

B&H - D50

+ $9 shipping to west coast US
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