Q&A: Canon or Nikon for beginner photographer?
Question by autumn_angel17: Canon or Nikon for beginner photographer?
Hello,
My dad has decided he wants a dslr. I was wondering if someone can offer objective opinions on Nikon and Canon camera makes.
Which would be best for an absolute beginner?
I havea canon and would always go for the canon however then I have a fiar bit of experience after taking photography at college and uni.
Best answer:
Answer by The Drunken Fool
i have a canon, and they seem to have the most lenses and such, however i would probably say that nikon have the edge quality wise. i doubt it would make a lot of difference to a beginner, however if you can share accessories, then get cameras that interchange.
Give your answer to this question below!
Both are good makes and for an amateur camera, one is probably as good as another.
I’ve always had Nikons and like them, but friends have Canons and like them just as much.
Maybe a Canon would be best, as you have one already and would be able to help your dad learn how to use it.
My advice is, go to a store and try both out. One is not “better” than the other, it simply depends on what you prefer and what you will use it for. I personally prefer Nikon, but Canon is good too. In general, I’d say if you need to shoot action, get the Nikon, and if you need to shoot portraits, get the Canon.
Canon and Nikon are both very good. Here’s an overview of their cheaper models:
Canon XSi, a.k.a. 450D. Current advanced amateur model.
Canon XTi, a.k.a. 400D. Previous model – nearly as good, cheaper.
Canon XS, a.k.a. 1000D. A new entry level model, not available until September and still overpriced (preorders). This is a new line, so there is no current model.
Nikon D80. Their current advanced amateur model – can use all Nikon AF lenses.
Nikon D60. Current entry level model with 10 megapixels – can AF with roughly 30 different AF-I and AF-S lenses, but not with older AF lenses such as primes.
Nikon D40. Current entry level model with 6 megapixels, cheaper – same restriction as the D60.
These are all very user friendly cameras – they even have a selection of scene modes (as on point & shoot cameras.) The Nikon D40 with an 18-55mm standard zoom is the cheapest of the bunch at about $470. I’d have no problem giving this to my own father, who curerently uses a point and shoot but once used a Canon AE1. It’s a quality camera.
If you want more features or megapixels, take your pick.
And if you can loan your father a few EF lenses, just stick with Canon. (Old Canon FD lenses won’t work on a digital body.)
For more information, these sites have in-depth reviews:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/default.asp?view=alpha
and
http://www.steves-digicams.com/hardware_reviews.html
my suggestion
go to yahoo shopping
digital cameras
digital camera GUIDE
be sure to check titles on the left side
the guide should answer your questions
If you have a DSLR canon with some other accessories and lenses, and do not mind letting your dad use them occasionally, it would be more sensible to buy another Canon. Both make good digital cameras and it’s down to subjective criteria as objectively there is little to separate them at the entry end.
Doesn’t really matter. They are both good.
Get him to try out both to see which one he likes and fits his style of taking pictures. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.
I agree with the Llama, if you have a Canon already, he might benefit from your knowledge of the camera, and sharing equipment. You can save a lot that way.
Consumer Reports suggests that there are better values such as the Olympus Evolt E-510 which has Image Stabilization in the body, live view LCD for composition and sells for around $675 with two lenses at samys.com.
Good luck!