Re: Canon Rebel XS or Nikon D40?

I am new to this forum and photography. Here is my question. I am planning on purchasing either a Nikon D40 or Canon Rebel XS. Both will come with18-55mm & 75-300mm Lenses with VC (Nikon) and IS (Canon). If you have experience with either of these cameras, please let me have you opinion.

Thank you.

I'm a Nikon owner so lean toward Nikon but both are good cameras as are the cameras by all the major manufacturers.
The question you need to ask is which system you want to buy into. If you buy Canon...you'll need to use Canon lenses or third party lenses that are made for it. Same for Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Olympus, etc.
Are you going to be shooting certain subjects or just general picture taking?
Also be sure to look at the sticky in the camera dealer feedback forum http://forums.photographyreview.com/...ad.php?t=37380

1st, nothing beats picking up a camera & feeling it in your paws.
Think about how you plan to use it too.
Think about weight.

I have a Canon XSi for Hiking & Biking in the great outdoors.
The plastic body of the Canon is super light.
My Pentax K10D has a solid metal body & it lives indoors on a tripod, mostly.

Think about size, Olympus makes the smallest DSLR
If you & your wife share the camera, she might like the smaller size.

Some people get their feet wet with a Point & Shoot or Entry Level camera
and then have the mad desire for all the Pro Level gear (I call that upgrade-itis)
If that's you, then buy gear with your Ultimate Top Pick in mind.
I'd luv a high zoot Canon, but a Lotto win is the only way that would be in my budget

Check out the Pro reviews & see if one camera has a feature that you may need.
Check out the Consumer reviews & see what real people like you say.
Thats what makes Photo Review so good...actual people using the gear.

For a Solid entry level camera I'd consider these 4

Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 (Sony is trying to be a major DSLR player)

Pentax K200D

Olympus E-520

Canon XSi (some really good deals out there...$640)

Good Luck

Thanks for the advice.

I haven't used either of the cameras you're asking about. But I've used the Nikon D40X and the Canon XTi and XSi. Based on my experience with the Nikons and Canons, I think either camera will serve you well. Honestly, it's mostly a matter of personal taste. There are no bad digital SLRs anymore. You are buying into a system and it may be that one camera or another has a feature that you prefer. But both the D40 and the XS will take great pictures.

An alternative is to look at the Sony, Olympus, and Pentax cameras that hollis mentioned. Those camera makers all apply image stabilization at the sensor - the sensor moves instead of elements in the lens. That means you don't have to buy special lenses to get the benefit of mechanical image stabilization. My personal choice from those three would be the Olympus E-520. I like it for its extra compact body size.

My wife found a Pentax K200d w/18-55mm & 50-200mm and battery grip for nearly the same price as the Nikon and Canon. I read a good review for each of these cameras. Holding them was not a problem as they each felt comfortable. I like the shake control in the Pentax body better than in the other’s lenses. So, it looks like it will be the Pentax K200D.

Thanks for your help.