Canon EOS Elan 7N(30v) Vs Nikon N80 (F80)

[Speed]

I will try to keep it rather simple, but I really like the N80. I used it for so many of my best shots and it worked great.

When I switched to Canon digital, I had to leave my N80. IMO, the Elan 7 is not equal to the N80. In the longrun, I knew that I would be switching to digital so I did the brand switch and haven't regret that decision.

Both cameras are good, but look ahead and think of your future camera needs. Pick the camera based on future LENS needs and digital camera wants. Cameras are replaceable, but lenses are the true tool and you don't want to paint yourself into the corner.

Loren

I started with a N80 because I knew it would do what I wanted, and that I could learn/grow/expand with it. It is an awesome camera for the price, and it has never let me down. I still have this camera and carry it with me practically every day.

[Outdoorsman]

Before this gets any further, I must speak up for the Canon. I currently shoot the Elan 7N.
What a camera!
They gave it the same AF system as the pro bodies. It's super light. It has metal skin. It's also the quietest SLR that Canon makes. No loud clack here, only a soft click/whir. You get all the bells and whistles like mirror lockup and film leader position after rewind (in or out), ability to move the AF operation from the shutter release to a rear button, exp.comp through a rear thumb dial, etc. It is compatible with all the current and previous flashes (I use the discontinued 420 EZ with no problems ever) and supports Canon's E-TTL II which is very accurate for flash metering; you can use FP flash with the EX-series flashes.
4 FPS and 7 AF points means sports (with a good USM lens) are a snap, so to speak. Flash exposure compensation is performed in-camera, meaning you don't have to mess with the unit any. The list of useful features is long.
As for acutal performance, this camera doesn't take bad pictures. I have been able to force it to, though . I've put it through nearly every imaginable environment and shooting situation, from caves to snowstorms to the beach, backpacking, nature/landscape, portraits, macro, events, sports, 100-degree-plus to below freezing, you name it. Everything but underwater! The metering is very accurate and the AF is fast and reliable. Metering range and AF range are a little lackluster in the specs, but I've not been limited by it yet. The only limitations I see are the size of the grip, which is too small for some hands, mine included. I insisted on buying the BP-300 with it, and this extends the grip to accomodate larger hands, while providing a vertical grip with AE lock button and shutter release. Unfortunately, Canon didn't give the BP-300 a command dial, so it isn't a true vertical grip IMO. But it does convert the camera to AA power, rather than the spendy (and not always available) CR123A batteries. Also, the viewfinder is kind of hard to get your eye into, but I have largish nose, so this might be my problem and not the camera's...
All in all, however, this is a badass camera for the price. I would say to give it a serious look. For about $400 at B&H you can have the body, the grip, and the RC-1 wireless remote. And you're ready to rock. Try the 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM II lens for about $250 with hood and a filter. It's not the best lens but it will do you well for all-around stuff. I use it and I'm not at all unhappy.
That's my Shameless Canon Plug for the day. Good luck!
-O-

[TEMPESTboy]

I'll add one thing with the Canon. If you want to spend a little more money for the 7NE, you'll get the eye controlled focus. While it doesn't work for some people, I find it very helpful in my EOS 3. Give it a try and it might push you to buy the Canon.

[ajuk]

Before this gets any further, I must speak up for the Canon. I currently shoot the Elan 7N.
What a camera!
They gave it the same AF system as the pro bodies. It's super light. It has metal skin. It's also the quietest SLR that Canon makes. No loud clack here, only a soft click/whir. You get all the bells and whistles like mirror lockup and film leader position after rewind (in or out), ability to move the AF operation from the shutter release to a rear button, exp.comp through a rear thumb dial, etc. It is compatible with all the current and previous flashes (I use the discontinued 420 EZ with no problems ever) and supports Canon's E-TTL II which is very accurate for flash metering; you can use FP flash with the EX-series flashes.
4 FPS and 7 AF points means sports (with a good USM lens) are a snap, so to speak. Flash exposure compensation is performed in-camera, meaning you don't have to mess with the unit any. The list of useful features is long.
As for acutal performance, this camera doesn't take bad pictures. I have been able to force it to, though . I've put it through nearly every imaginable environment and shooting situation, from caves to snowstorms to the beach, backpacking, nature/landscape, portraits, macro, events, sports, 100-degree-plus to below freezing, you name it. Everything but underwater! The metering is very accurate and the AF is fast and reliable. Metering range and AF range are a little lackluster in the specs, but I've not been limited by it yet. The only limitations I see are the size of the grip, which is too small for some hands, mine included. I insisted on buying the BP-300 with it, and this extends the grip to accomodate larger hands, while providing a vertical grip with AE lock button and shutter release. Unfortunately, Canon didn't give the BP-300 a command dial, so it isn't a true vertical grip IMO. But it does convert the camera to AA power, rather than the spendy (and not always available) CR123A batteries. Also, the viewfinder is kind of hard to get your eye into, but I have largish nose, so this might be my problem and not the camera's...
All in all, however, this is a badass camera for the price. I would say to give it a serious look. For about $400 at B&H you can have the body, the grip, and the RC-1 wireless remote. And you're ready to rock. Try the 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM II lens for about $250 with hood and a filter. It's not the best lens but it will do you well for all-around stuff. I use it and I'm not at all unhappy.
That's my Shameless Canon Plug for the day. Good luck!
-O-

Whats better about the USM lenses? (I notice that on B&H it comes with a simalar lens that doesn't have the letter USM in it)

[Outdoorsman]

Whats better about the USM lenses? (I notice that on B&H it comes with a simalar lens that doesn't have the letter USM in it)

Canon's website probably explains this better than I can, but here goes.
USM, despite PhotoShop users' acronym for UnSharp Mask, is Canon's UltraSonic Motor. This is a pretty common AF drive system found in lenses made by many companies, just under different names, like Sigma's HSM (HyperSonic Motor) or Nikon's Silent Wave, etc.
This system is a very good alternative to a standard AF drive that uses a micromotor linked to the focusing element via a gear train. This system can have slack in it, making AF clunky and not quite so accurate. It's also slower and noisier, and you cannot override AF without either swtiching to MF or possibly hurting the lens.
The USM (HSM, etc) uses a nearly or totally silent ring-type motor that has no slack and is faster and more accurate, since it uses no gears. My 28-105 USM is so quiet I have to put my ear next to the lens to hear it focus. When shooting I can't hear it at all. It's very quick.
And finally, the USM lens gives you full-time manual focus override. This means you can touch up focus after the camera focuses in AF mode without worrying about stripping or jumping gears.
This is definitely the kind of lens you want. I bought the 7N without the kit lens and opted to buy something better.
If there's anything wrong here or if I left anything out, anyone is welcome to correct me.
Hope this helps.
-O-