Which SLR to purchase Canon EOS 50D or Nikon D300?
Posted by admin | Under Canon EOS 50D Monday Apr 6, 2009I want to buy an SLR to shoot a variety of subjects… animals, people moving. I definitely want the best pictures I can get for my money and was under the impression Nikon was slightly better than Canon, but now I am hearing otherwise. I like to look through the Live view screen vs the view finder and I like shoot with natural light vs flash, but still want a good quality flash. I’ve narrowed it down to the cameras above, how do I choose between the two models?
This site shows these two cameras side by side:
http://www.dentonimages.com/cameradb.php?camera%5B%5D=14&camera%5B%5D=3&submit=Compare+Selected+Cameras
Bottom line, the D300 is an excellent, proven camera. It’s a year old now, and will probably be replaced some time late in 2009.
THe 50D is brand new, but on paper looks to have more resolution, possibly better low light capabilities, but not as good autofocus, metering etc. All depends what you need it for – action shots, robustness etc go to the Nikon. Detail in landscapes, portraits etc go to the Canon.
go with the Canon Eos 50D cause Nikon contracts with a third party company on the lenses for there cameras and they do not fix them themselves it will cost you more in the long run plus Canon lenses are the best of all the cameras out. and canon makes and repairs the whole camera if it should need it. but in my case I have a canon PowerShot A550 and I had it for 15 years now and not 1 problem with it I love it zoom len and all.
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How do you choose between the two cameras? Simple. Head over to your local store and spend some quality time with each. Shoot some snaps, get the feel of both, see which one you like just a bit better. It's really the best way to make a decision like this, if you buy something based on it's reputation online you'll probably always wonder if there was something you missed out on.
Seems like a lame answer but you'll see what I mean once you've had a chance to play with both cameras.
BTW, both cameras offer live view (it can be handy on occasion).
p.s. Canon's PowerShot A550 is not a 15 year old model. Sheeez….
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Okay, I will give you one piece of advice to start: Paul G's answer contains several errors, including how old his camera is.
Now, my answer.
Nikon cameras have been chosen by more pro's than any other. If you are considering a D300 (I have one), then you are in the serious amateur/semi-pro area of the market at least. Nikon cameras are better sealed than Canon products, and better built, including the lenses. Their lens range is wider, and Nikon optics are, in fact superior to Canon equivalents. Canon L-glass is excellent, but both expensive and hard to find compared to comparable Nikon glass.
Canon advocates are serious about their views, but Nikon have dedicated themselves to building quality and rugged cameras for well over 40 years. You will have a wider range of second-hand lenses available as Canon does not offer much compatibility with older Canon lenses.
You now know my position, but I will add that you should get your hands on both cameras and see which you prefer. I go into some of the harshest regions on Earth (volcanic caldera, Antarctica, jungles of Burma, Gobi desert to name some) and my cameras have to take punishment. Canon cameras have failed me, Nikons never have yet. I own several, and am well experienced with Canon product too. I currently run a D3, D300, D700 (on loan to test it), and an F5 and F6 film cameras too. I also have an original F, an F2 and an F3, all in perfect working order, if a little cosmetically worn. Some of my lenses are over 40 years old and work on the latest cameras. The newest lenses (not the DX ones though) work on the nikon F and F2, albeit without autofocus.
With such a camera, you are buying into a system. Intelligent choice of lenses and other accessories is probably more important than the body you choose, and your skills finally determine the quality of your photos.
I have put myself firmly in the Nikon camp, but you must choose and research for yourself to determine which is the best for you. Please feel free to contact me if you want more information on what I use my cameras for, and I will help if I can.
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owains’ answer sounds pretty good, but there are some things i kind of disagree with. see, i’ve also heard of people telling me of instances where their nikon failed them and their canon didn’t. basically, as far as build and durability goes, canon and nikon are pretty much really close that it’s almost negligible. same goes for lens quality too – although nikon glass is comparable to and much more affordable than canon L series glass, canon ef and ef-s series glass are also comparable to nikorrs, and usually cheaper too.
definitely, the d300 has advantages over the 50d (more AF points, better viewfinder coverage, better in-camera processing) and the 50d has advantages over the d300 (higher resolution, presumably better noise control, faster burst rate, higher ISO and a more refined live-view). but at the end of the day, it all depends on which YOU value more among the pros and cons that each camera has over the other. are you into sports? then you’d need the d300’s 51 AF points and its excellent tracking. are you into portraits and landscapes? then maybe canon’s higher megapixel count would matter to you more (not to mention canon’s superior wide angle, the 10-22mm). think about yourself as a photographer – what you shoot, and how you shoot. then pick out which camera – given their respective advantages and disadvantages over the other – would suit you more.
here are some links that might help
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_EOS_50D/verdict.shtml
http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews_canon_eos_50d_6.php
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newbie photographer who loves to read about cameras
This site shows these two cameras side by side:
http://www.dentonimages.com/cameradb.php?camera%5B%5D=14&camera%5B%5D=3&submit=Compare+Selected+Cameras
Bottom line, the D300 is an excellent, proven camera. It’s a year old now, and will probably be replaced some time late in 2009.
THe 50D is brand new, but on paper looks to have more resolution, possibly better low light capabilities, but not as good autofocus, metering etc. All depends what you need it for – action shots, robustness etc go to the Nikon. Detail in landscapes, portraits etc go to the Canon.
References :
http://www.dentonimages.com/camsearch.php