The right SLR for the job & Megapixels vs Lens

[Anbesol]

The 50D's noise performance is significantly better than the 40D. If 800-3200 shooting is something lynn ever really wants to do, this easily outweighs the small performance difference of the 10-15MPix. The gap-less pixel technology (forget the exact wording) has done some incredible things with noise performance. The 50D also has a much brighter, and better resolution LCD (~912kpixels vs ~215kpixels).

Other brands have some models, such as the Pentax K20D, Olympus E30, or Sony A700, which also are fine cameras that would meet your needs. But my caveat with any of these would be that the SYSTEMS may not meet all of your future needs as a working Professional, and the commitment of these companies to the professional market may not match that of Nikon or Canon.

Well, they've all remained committed to their base for the past few decades, don't suspect any will leave them abandoned. When Minolta had to retire they handed over their system manufacturing process to the very best company to take care of it, the number 1 provider of digital sensors in the world: Sony (subsequently awarding their base with Zeiss glass autofocus capability). I don't think worrying about the future of any system is realistic for any professional, each system is too marketable and profitable for any technology manufacturers to just ditch in a field.

[Sushigaijin]

I pretty much agree with anbesol regarding commitment to systems - all of the companies in the running have been around a LONG time and (probably) aren't going anywhere. And, they are all pretty much complete systems with a wide range of accessories, lighting, and are pretty much equal in terms of flexibility.

Availability might be a different matter though - it's hard to find a good selection of the smaller makers at brick-and-mortar stores, because the market is so dominated by canikon.

Professionals shoot with canikon because 90% of the DSLR market is canikon, not because they make "better" equipment. It's all good. Some is just marketed better than others, and some is better in certain situations than others.

I wouldn't want to take a canikon into some of the places I've been with my olympus lenses; the lack of weather sealing is a serious liability. Other people might not want to take an olympus to shoot in complete darkness, because the high ISO performance isn't as good as other systems...it's all a trade off. portraits and studio lighting? they are all the same.

[Dougjgreen]

Professionals shoot with canikon because 90% of the DSLR market is canikon, not because they make "better" equipment. It's all good. Some is just marketed better than others, and some is better in certain situations than others.

I wouldn't want to take a canikon into some of the places I've been with my olympus lenses; the lack of weather sealing is a serious liability.

I didn't say that Canon and Nikon made BETTER gear than the others. I said that they made more comprehensively complete systems for professionals. I switched from Olympus to Nikon specifically because of some gaps in the Olympus product offering.

But I'll be the first to agree that Nikon does not make an under $1000 wide angle that comes near matching my 11-22 Digital Zuiko lens, which I've kept, along with an E-1 body, for exactly the kind of bad weather shooting you refer to. But Olympus lacks the type of fast focusing long fast glass that Nikon and Canon have made their bones with among professional sports and wildlife photographers. And Nikon's flash system is FAR more well developed and comprehensive than Olympus' is.

And certainly, a Nikon D3 and some top tier Nikkor pro lenses are as well made as Olympus gear, and Nikon and Canon also provides professional caliber weather sealed gear for working professionals.