Nikon or Canon-pls help!!!

[Tanner07]

I want to upgrade to a digi SLR but don't know what I should be looking for in a camera. From what I can understand the best SLRs for their price (I'm on a budget) are the Canon Rebel XT or the Nikon D40...I am basically after something that can take nice, clear pic's of my active toddler. I like the sound of the D40 as the LCD actually shows you what you are doing, which is good for me as I'm new to the whole SLR world and am rather confused by all the terms lol.

So if I could pls get some advice as to which camera would be more suitable for me, even if it's not a Canon or Nikon (I've heard the Olympus E-410 is okay aswell).

Thankyou very much for you help! Alicia

[Tanner07]

okay, I think I posted this in the wrong section silly me!!

But I would still love your help! I'm off to browse the photography section, this place is huge lol

[Amy L]

I think both are good cameras; most people advise going to a store and holding each to see which feels better to you. I decided I wanted a Nikon before I went to the store, so I didn't hold the Canon! I got a Nikon D40x, very similar to the D40. I think I just had more friends at the time with a Nikon, but Canon owners are very happy too.

The only caveat I would give you about the Nikon D40 is that it is unable to autofocus certain Nikon lenses. Not long after I got my camera, I got an f/1.8 50 mm fixed lens which is my go to lens for indoor shots. It was very hard for me to manually focus that lens, and with a toddler, you need to focus fast. Maybe some of the Canon owners can speak about this, but I think the Rebel XT can autofocus this type of lens.

Good luck with your choice, digital SLRs are just wonderful!

[MeEmMom]

I have a Nikon D50. Don't know what the difference is between the D40 and D50, but I will tell you that I absolutely love my Nikon. The pictures are really nice and it is so easy to use!

Good luck making your choice. It is always hard to decide!

--Lisa

[katrinak]

welcome Alicia! Amy is right about holding the camera and the Rebel. It will auto focus with the 50mm 1.8 which is a nice lens for toddler action and low light. (and fairly affordable!)

Wander around the other threads, there are a lot of ideas/opinions about Nikon or Canon. I'm a Canon girl but won't hold it against you either way I'm not certain about Nikon's Live View LCD, maybe somebody can chime in about how useful it is.

[sam ellis]

Alicia have a look here (if you haven't found it yet)

http://www.designerdigitals.com/ddms...ad.php?t=11545

[audrey77]

I have a D40- I love it- it's really light and small.

In reference to the lenses, if you were to expand, you just need to do your research and make sure that you get a lens with the internal motor- like the Nikkor 50mm AF-S that just came out... or a Sigma HSM lens. They will auto focus on the D40.

The kit lens with the camera should be the only lens you need to get started and comfortable. Once you've mastered that, then move on to maybe a zoom lens. :-)

[audrey77]

I don't think the D40 does live view? I think DSLRs would we waaaaayyyyy to heavy to work that way. You need to support some lenses.

[DesignerDigitals]

I just bought the Nikon D80 and love it!

[museumpiece]

Well I have just less than an hour ago purchased the Sony A350K - and I'm replying to this before I have even opened the box!!. To be honest i did so much reading about various cameras on websites and in magazines not to mention here at DD but I just started to confuse myself so I decided to make a list of what I really wanted from the camera ie what was important to ME. I did consider the Nikon D40, and in fact it was probably my 3rd choice. I notice on Amazon UK that you can get it for £244 just now and it was over £400 just a month or so ago so it's a great deal. Ok, I can't wait any longer... I'm off to play with my new toy!! Hope you get one soon!

Fiona

[hendon]

I just replaced my Nikon D40X with the D80 and I love it! I just never 'bonded' with the D40X! I have to admit I'd decided on a nikon before I went to the shop too so never even held a canon. And I'm pretty certain the D40X doesn't come with live view (but neither does the D80).

[Tanner07]

Thankyou so much for your help everyone, I guess I will just have to go to Harvey Norman and get a feel of what's most comfortable for me. This is taken from DigitalSLRguide.com-

The key feature of the Nikon D40 that sets it apart from other digital SLR cameras is its informative LCD screen.
Press the INFO button on the camera, and the LCD displays all of the camera settings: Shutter Speed, Aperture, ISO, Image Quality, White Balance, Autofocus Mode, Remaining Photos on Memory Card and Battery Status.
Since every other digital SLR also displays these settings, the Nikon D40 does it with a twist: the LCD actually SHOWS you what these camera settings mean.

and is the reason I'm loving the Nikon D40, as some of you have previously mentioned the D40 doesn't have live view....what is live view?

Also, the D40 sale price is $549.99 (AU dollars) and for $649.99 i can get the D60...is there much difference between the two besides megapixels? (which I'm not too worried about as I don't plan on enlarging pic's)

I'm pretty set on getting a Nikon at this stage but I just don't know until I actually go into a shop and have a feel. So don't give up hope on me yet Canon supporters! lol

[Amy L]

Live View is a mode that enables you to frame your shot in the LCD like a point and shoot.

[Tanner07]

Okay, thanks Amy! I've been looking at the Olympus E-420 and that looks fantastic aswell......oh so confused!!!

[sarahorton]

I'm a Canon girl - I started out with the Rebel and loved it.

I don't think you could go wrong either way, but I'd be sure to look at and hold both at the store. If the salespeople there are helpful, they may be able to talk you through the pros/cons of each one.

When I talked to the sales staff about my needs, they recommended the Rebel and it was the right choice for me. Since the 50mm lens is my favorite, that would have been a deal breaker for me.

[marnie]

Just for the record, I love my Canon Rebel XT--had it for almost 2 years. I'm partial to Canon b/c I bought my first SLR 35mm in 1974 and it was a Canon.

[kmartorina]

Canon Girl...and yes the 40D does have live view. But I don't think you could go wrong with the Canon or Nikon.

[esther_a]

By "Harvey Norman" I guess you're Australian? I just bought a Canon EOS 1000D which is branded as Canon Rebel in the States. It was the top recommendation by Choice Mag and the cheapest that they tested!! It came with an extra zoom lens and a Canon Crumpler bag by redemption. It is $800 Aus at Dick Smith and $899 at Ted's Camera House