Another Canon-Nikon question but with a twist

[Sierra25]

I'm in the market for a dslr - entry level right now. I've tried to do my homework by reading every thread on here about cameras, I've gone to dp review and steves digicams, I've looked at CNET reviews, googled it many times and read and read and read.

So it seems that both cameras are good and will do pretty much the same thing. I don't have any lenses for the camera so I'm starting from scratch.

The question I have is what made you go with one or the other. What was the deciding factor that helped you make the decision. If they both do the same thing I'm having a hard time deciding between Nikon or Canon.

Perhaps the thing to think about is longevity - what is the best for the long term.

The two cameras I'm looking at are the Canon T2i and the Nikon D5000.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Right now they are tied for me and I need something to break the tie.

Thanks so much!

[krystav]

Hi Sierra,

I'm a Canon user myself (Canon Digital rebel/350D) but if I would go for an entrylvl cam right now I'd go for the Nikon. (have tons of canon lenses so wont).

The build quality seems more solid for the Nikon as the entry lvl Canons are real plasticky to me.

[Jen D]

Honestly I think you need to hold them. The both feel different in your hands. Also, they have different menu and locations of buttons. You need to pick the one that works best for you.

There are a lot of people that are very loyal to their brand and they could argue forever that their brand is the best but really they are soooooo close.

I am in the Canon camp myself but that is because it is what I learned on. It is the language I speak and I am comfortable with it.

Best of luck!

[Aino]

You really need to go to the store and hold them and try them out.

Now, I am a Nikon girl The new D3100 is a gem for beginner lever DSLR - so you might want to check it out.

[DonnaNJ]

My one piece of advice to anyone looking to enter the DSLR market is to go to a store and try them.. Canon and Nikon are to cameras what Honda and Toyota are to cars.. there is so little difference between the two it's hard to distinguish them. If you go to the store the "right" one will feel good in your hands. Hope that helps.. either one you choose I'm sure you will get years of happy photographying from :-)

[Carol Elliott]

Hold them. One will feel right and then your choice is made. I'm a canon girl, because the canon felt good in my hands. For others, the nikon feels best. Makes such a difference!

[katrinak]

Canon was the first on the market with a consumer affordable dSLR in 2002. I bought it the month it came out My hubby had a Canon SLR so I stole his lenses and the rest is history.

Hold it as Carol suggested.

Feel is really where it is at. Don't under estimate Sony's dSLR's or Olympus as well. Sony is doing a ton of marketing and development specifically for women.

[RandyP]

Nikon used to make all of Canon's lenses AND the NIKON D90 is the top selling DSLR out there. The replacement D7000 is coming on strong.

Recommendation: Nikon!

[katie pertiet]

I have a Nikon D90 and *love* it! I've had Nikons since I was 15 [and that was a loooong time ago! LOL!]

I've wanted a higher end Nikon, but like Carol said, the "feel" isn't right for me... even within the same brand! So I'm sticking with my D90

Good luck with your choice

[connieg]

I'm just going to echo what everyone else has already stated, Put the camera in your hand and try using the different knobs/buttons.
It really is the best advice anyone can give. When I went to buy my first DSLR camera I had my mind set on a Canon, it just didn't feel right in my hand. The Nikon D60 fit like a glove and I so enjoy using it.

[carollee]

Such a hard decision to make. I went in expecting to come out with a Canon or Nikon and walked out with a Sony, so I'm no help at all. LOL Good luck and let us know what you get.

[cheska99]

Yes, you need to hold them. Also think about what your friends and family have. If you know someone who's really into photography and owns one of these brands, that person could become a great resource for you--but not if you're using the other brand. When my friends with Nikon ask me questions about their cameras, for example, it's Greek to me. These cameras do the same things but to some extent they speak a different language.