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08/31/2006 05:17:48 PM · #1 |
First off a simple caveat: I have no brand allegiance and as I am in the market for a new camera I have the luxury (and the cost!) and being able to choose a system from scratch. So I hope I am unbiased.
As well as the Nikon D80, I was also playing with a D50 and a Canon 30D at the same time, as well as getting the assistant to let me look once more at the Sony Alpha 100, so there was a reasonable base for my comparison/playing.
The D80 is an intriguing camera for sure. It felt pretty good in my hands and the ergonomics were fine for me. It is not as robust as the D200 nor did it feel as solid as the Canon 30D but for a plastic camera, if felt good on my hands.
Having read a lot about the way the camera is supposed to operate I picked up the demo model (i.e. SD card door glued closed and some of the menu options disabled) and expected to be able to get to grips with it fairly quickly. And, to be fair, I did. Intuitively, I expected the two wheels behind and in front of the shutter release button to work well when I put the camera in manual mode, the mode that I would probably use the most with a dSLR. However, the model I used had very stiff wheels and I found that the intuitive use of the wheels was counter-balanced by the need to use a lot more manual pressure than I expected. Even more to my surprise I found that the Canon 30D arrangement was a little more comfortable in this respect.
The menu system was easy to navigate and well presented and the LCD was very bright and easy to read. The view finder was big and bright and I found it a lot clearer that the D50, although the Canon 30D was not too far from the D80. The lack of ISO value in the viewfinder was a pain in some respects but how often would I use it? Focusing mode selection and use was a breeze and, with the kit 18-70mm lens the whole system felt very well balanced and easy to use.
AF seemed really sharp and fast and with the kit lens you could focus manually through the view finder reasonably well, even when wearing glasses. DOF preview worked and, by and large, my overall experience of using the camera for a short while was very positive.
However - and this really upset me a lot - I also found the Canon 30D a lot easier to use than I remembered/imagined and once the 18-55 kit lens was swapped for a decent Sigma found it as enjoyable to use as the D80. This was upsetting as I had convinced myself that the D80 was the camera for me (and have placed an advanced order for one).
Clearly, these are all personal opinions and therefore are probably only pertinent to me but I must admit that I am now in a quandary: D80 vs 30D! There are mitigating reasons for me going with my original intent - the D80 - the two most important ones being price (the D80 is cheaper) and SD cards (I have a few GB of them and therefore could use them in the D80). But here is what is bugging me: based on previous track record Nikon will probably not be able to deliver enough units to satisfy demand. Canon may make a pre-emptive strike and drop the price of the 30D enough so that it interferes with the D80 uptake and gives an "almost" price equivalence. What is a poor boy to do?
Sorry about the long winded nature of the post but I needed to put all this down in writing to see if things were any clearer and to see if there was any non partisan guidance that could be offered. Writing it has made me even more confused and if any opinions are proffered I am sure I will become even more so.
Thanks for reading all of this.
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08/31/2006 05:21:29 PM · #2 |
I guess you could say I'm non-partisan because I have a Canon but I recommend going Nikon for one reason: the well regarded 18-200 VR. Still lusting after one of those myself as an all-around lens. If I could only figure out how to make it work on my Canon ;)
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08/31/2006 05:35:02 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by nshapiro:
I guess you could say I'm non-partisan because I have a Canon but I recommend going Nikon for one reason: the well regarded 18-200 VR. Still lusting after one of those myself as an all-around lens. If I could only figure out how to make it work on my Canon ;) |
I'd settle for that 18-135...
Seriously, if the 30D feels more comfy in your hand, then go with it, If you're buying Sigma lenses anyways there's really no reason to stick with either brand because of the lenses available if you were never going to buy one of the fancy VR or IS lenses.
If you plan to go pro, pick the lens system you want, not the camera system you want.
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08/31/2006 05:36:01 PM · #4 |
It's a win win situation either way you go.
I think Canon is better in the noise department but I read somewhere that the D80 was a little better with noise than the D70 and maybe the D200 , as well...not sure where I read that though.
For a guy like me who likes to crop a lot, after the fact, the extra 2 megapixels might be the deal breaker but otherwise they look pretty close spec-wise.
I also think that the 18-200 VR will suit you well.
Good Luck and enjoy.
Message edited by author 2006-08-31 17:38:17. |
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08/31/2006 05:38:39 PM · #5 |
Both brands surely have their high and low spots. In the end, you'll be served well by either. Some areas where there are currently differences are:
- Nikon offers auto-ISO, which Canon does not
- Nikon offers weather sealing lower in their lineup than Canon
- Some regard Nikon flash system to be superior to Canon
- Canon offers full 35mm frame cameras, Nikon does not
- Canon has superior high-ISO performace at this writing, across their lineup
- Canon system accommodates old manual lenses from various manufacturers including Nikon, some Leica, M42 screw mount and others
Since it seems that either body would suit you ergonomically and functionally, you should take a look at both lens lineups, and decide which lineup better fits your shooting needs. Line up a Canon and Nikon lens arsenal that you'd see yourself acquiring in the next 2-5 years, and compare price, ratings and features. Then look at the body diffferences and how they would impact your shooting, and make a decision.
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08/31/2006 05:43:01 PM · #6 |
Thanks, guys, for all of the advice. I think I will wait until the D80 hits the streets and look at noise etc. as well as playing with both one more time. Checking out the system prices is also a good idea as I have an idea of what lenses I would like and the falsh capabilities I would like, too.
Then, having made a decision, start the begging negotiations with the camera shops! |
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08/31/2006 05:44:31 PM · #7 |
Hi Carl,
I guess you could say I'm partisan because I have a Nikon but I recommend going Nikon too :)
18-200VR is indeed a great walk-around lens, I am almost done switching lenses in public
Feature-wise, Nikon d80 offers a lot more than Canon 30d, and it is 30% cheaper, the only real drawback is a plastic body, but (unlike Canon Rebel models) Nikon plastic feels a lot better (maybe it's just me), and if you are not going to subject it to extreme stresses, should work just fine...
And since you already have a bunch of SD cards laying around... I think it is a no-brainer.
Message edited by author 2006-08-31 17:45:30.
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08/31/2006 05:57:45 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by LevT:
Hi Carl,
...
And since you already have a bunch of SD cards laying around... I think it is a no-brainer. |
Ah! That is my problem! I have no brain! Or if I do it is a very confused one at this point.
I think your logic is spot on but as I now allow emotion to play a role in my decision making... :-) |
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08/31/2006 06:21:22 PM · #9 |
I had to do the begging with my wife, The camera shop was easy. They offered me a deal before I even started to bargain with them.
I canceled my pre-order for the D80 and used my deposit towards a new d200. which is a sweet camera but I am in over my head as far as learning how to opertate it properly, I am getting lots of dark photos even when I use the flash, not sure what settings i am not tweaking or should be tweaking. the manual is pretty decent but I am one of those I don't need no stinkin manual guys.. trying to learn most by trial and error.
Originally posted by obsidian:
Thanks, guys, for all of the advice. I think I will wait until the D80 hits the streets and look at noise etc. as well as playing with both one more time. Checking out the system prices is also a good idea as I have an idea of what lenses I would like and the falsh capabilities I would like, too.
Then, having made a decision, start the begging negotiations with the camera shops! |
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08/31/2006 06:39:44 PM · #10 |
Boy it sure might be nice not to have to clean your sensor very often if you hardly ever remove that VR lens.
Having said that I'm leaning toward Canon for my 1st DSLR but I'm going to wait for reviews first and pick which one has better image quality at high ISO. |
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08/28/2009 08:03:17 AM · #11 |
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08/28/2009 12:03:25 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by obsidian:
However - and this really upset me a lot - I also found the Canon 30D a lot easier to use than I remembered/imagined and once the 18-55 kit lens was swapped for a decent Sigma found it as enjoyable to use as the D80. This was upsetting as I had convinced myself that the D80 was the camera for me (and have placed an advanced order for one).
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It is amazing how much this type of decision is personal preference. It reminds me of the whole "PC/APPLE" debates. I use a D80. I love it. However I was raised in a Nikon family (thanks Dad) and when I pick up a Canon I feel like I'm using a camera in a different language.
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08/28/2009 01:29:36 PM · #13 |
Old thread alert.
Out of all the canon and nikon slr`s i`ve owned the D80 was the worst.
Shocking metering. |
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