Canon EOS Xti 400d vs. Nikon D40(x)

[johnh289]

Hi all,

i am currently trying to decide between a few cameras (ones in the title.)
i have been reading up on many review sites such as cnet, and also on a multiple forums to try and find which camera would best fit me, but i'm at a stand still and i need some help! my price range is under $800 give or take a little bit...

i first got introduced to the canon a while back when one of my friends got it and i really like the pictures that it took.(they seemed to be excellent quality) but i also found the nikon d40(x) online and the reviews for that camera also looked very good!

what i have found so far:

Canon xti:
i read many reviews about it being an excellent camera for indoor sports etc.(which doesnt really apply to me much) also i have read it has excellent macro abilities with other lenses. also i have heard that there is a wide variety of lenses for this camera although a lot of them get very pricey! on the other side of things i have read that the lense that comes with the camera normally is basically worthless (not very good quality etc.) and that a lot of the pictures from the canon dont "pop" like the ones from the nikon.

Nikon D40(x):
according to some of the reviews i have read it has excellent photo quality and the pictures really "pop" although i have heard that the macro isnt the greatest and that it has a limited lense compatability making it hard to get a good auto focus lense for it for certain situations. despite this multiple reviews said that the lense that comes with the d40(x) is an excellent lense and can hold its ground against a lot of higher priced canon lenses.


What i am planning on using the camera for: macro!, i am a big fan of the really close super clear shots of flowers, electronics, what have you..., also i like to take a lot of nature shots, i live in wisconsin by the river and by the bluffs so its really fun to take shots like that. besides this i go to a lot of concerts where it would be nice to have a nice camera to take good pictures, and just general hanging out with friends "capturing memories" etc. it will be very very very seldom if ever that i will take indoor shots of say... basketball games or something like that.

mainly i just want to get the camera that will best fit me for the most reasonable price (considering i am a college student)

if there are any specific qualities of each camera (features etc) that you think would be helpful to me please include them!!

any suggestions or help or whatever is greatly appreciated!!! also if there is another camera out there that i have just overlooked and is in the same price range of the above cameras that you think would fit me better please let me know!!!


THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!! :-D

[Glasstream15]

Some may argue, but it's pretty much a toss up. That said, I am a Canon fan. Why??? Mostly because it's what I have and because back in a previous century (sometimes seems like several ago) I had a Canon rangefinder that I liked. Plus, the XT which I have had a good price at Amazon.

The Nikon's are a great system and the Canons are a great system. And remember you are buying into a system. Lenses, flash, etc. My suggestion! Go to a camera store and handle a Nikon and a Canon. See which feels best in your hands. That should be the one to get.

And the kit lens is in no way as bad as it's cracked up to be. It's not an "L" or other Premium lens, but it will take very good pictures. And it has a very useful wide end. That was talking about the Canon kit lens, but it equally applies to the Nikon. Yeah, if you get into this seriously, you will be upgrading lenses and then bodies and flashes and everything else.

So just hold them, shoot a few pitures and see which you think YOU like. Yes, there may be differences in Canon is stronger in this department and Nikon in that department, but overall, there ain't a nickles worth of difference.

And I have a Canon XT, Canon S5IS and Canon Photura 35.

YMMV

[johnh289]

do you think the limited range of nikon lenses for the D40 would be a problem? i have heard that there is a limited selection of AF lenses for it...?

[johnh289]

also do you have an opinion on the d80? just wondering because i have heard it is also an excellent camera...


thank you!!!!!

[Tel]

I would say yes. The D40X Seems nice, But honestly it seems to be the same as the XTi, Except for the Lens compatibility. That would be the main thing distracting me from getting a D40X.

Me, I like Canon more, so I'd go for the XTi. Plus, The admin of these forums LOVES his. Just wait for Photo-John to chime in. I'd say an XTi with a 50MM to start you off. That may not be the best for Macro, but that Lens is good period.

[Frog]

I have the D80 and will vouch for it being a great camera.
I really wouldn't worry about some lenses not being compatible with d40x as I'm pretty sure the new lenses are compatible and unless you have a collection of older non AFS nikon lenses you don't need to worry.
Canon macro better than Nikon? I don't know why they would be as this is a matter of lens quality imho. A good macro for either camera should be fine or extension tubes.

[johnh289]

ok so ive decided (probably) to go with one of the nikons. next question is, d40x or d50?? ive heard both are good, both in a decent price range for me

any difference in quality
any owners of either of these have thoughts?!?!


thanks for all of the insight everybody!!! :-D