What is the best SLR digital camera?

Next semester, I will be taking an Intro to Photography class at my university everywhere i will need to have my own SLR. I have taken photography classes before, but have always shared or borrowed SLR cameras. I want to buy one for for myself, but do not know which one to buy. Many websites say that Canon is best, while a photography teacher once told me that Nikon is far better. What camera do you prefer?

Answer by darkroommike
It’s very much a Ford vs. Chevy question. (Disclaimer, I own and use Nikon but that’s ’produce I already owned a bunch of MF and AF Nikon kit when I went looking for a digital.)

Right now I reckon the Canon entry level dSLR’s are better value for the money and do not restrict you to by lenses only made since 2000 (e.g. the Nikon D40, D3000 and it’s ilk will only autofocus by AFs lenses, which obsoleted all my AF and AF-D lenses in one stroke, so much (again) for F-mount compatibility!).

Answer by Veato
Well the TIPA award for best beginner DSLR 2010 really went to Pentax with the K-x!

Answer by fhotoace
Both are right.

At this time the Nikon system has the best sensor routine at any given camera level from the $ 8,000 Nikon D3X to the entry level Nikon D3100

Here is a link you may find helpful to sort out some of your questions when it comes to the camera you eventually buy.

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/en/Camera-Sensor/Sensor-rankings

One thing you will notice as you look through the list of “best” cameras is that the digit of pixels on the sensor and the price one pays for the camera, has small to do with the sensors routine.

At this time, Nikon does have a slight edge over comparable Canon cameras.

I say “at this time” because during each technical upgrade cycle (usually three or more being), one company has a slight edge over the other.

Right now as it stands, the Nikon D3s is THE camera with very low noise at high ISO.
Right now, the Nikon D3X is the highest performing dSLR, period
Right now, the Nikon D7000 is performing far better than its competition the Canon 60D, especially when it comes to the Full HD video mode (the Nikon is the only one that can auto-focus in the video mode)

This can all change in the next year or so. What is vital is you pick the camera system YOU like the best

With Nikon cameras other than the entry level ones, nearly ANY lens made since 1977 can be used with a Nikon body and still retain full exposure functions.

* Canon switched lens mounts in 1988, so the FD and FL lenses cannot be used easily on the Canon EOS cameras
* Canon’s EF-S lenses made for their APS-C sensored cameras, cannot be used on any of the Canon full frame cameras, 35 mm or 1D/5D dSLR bodies. This is because the lenses rear element protrudes into the camera body and will hurt the mirror on the full frame Canon bodies and the cameras mirror will scratch the real element of the EF-S lens.

If you are plotting on shooting sports, the Nikon D3 and D3s is the best choice at this time due to its low noise at high ISO routine.

In the end, you will have to make the choice that makes the most sense to you. Remember, whichever system you choose, you will be by it for the next few decades

Sit down with your instructor and discuss the reasons why he/she thinks Nikon is better.

At some point you will need to visit a camera store and try by both cameras and see which one is the simplest for you to use, especially when it comes to making common changes in camera settings like ISO, EV, white balance and shooting modes.

If the video feature is vital to you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMbBKukJzBk

Answer by Jeroen Wijnands
First of all, the best SLR with a lens to contest will doubtless cost more than you’ll be spending on your car (don’t expect much change out of $ 10000).

You’ve taken classes, what did you borrow and what did you reckon of that (I’d insert a question mark here but the Yahoo police doesn’t allow them).

Both Canon and Nikon make fine cameras, each with their own strong and weak points. Personally I really dislike the Canon rebel (or xxxD to us in the rest of the world) series for it’s plasticky feel and clumsy controls. But there’s plenty of people that like that. At the entry level point I reckon Nikon delivered a really strong camera in the D3100 which is only outclassed by the Canon 550d/Rebel T2i on video.

If you reckon you’ll be taking photography seriously you could look into a Nikon D90. Nikon’s enthousiast amateur model from 2008 which has just been replaced by the D7000 and is being sold at an striking price point. Weak on video, still very excellent on photos.

Main differences between the brands are in the rest of the lineup. Nikon has some very solid lenses at the entry level with the 18-105 and the 55-300. Canon has a very unique macro lens that can magnify more than 1:1 and a very affordable 70-200 f4 lens. I reckon Nikon’s wireless sparkle system is better than Canon. Both systems have truly incredible pro lenses (often with an incredible pricetag to contest)

Final consideration could be if you know anyone with a excellent selection of lenses for either brand that would let you borrow lenses.

Personally I’m very pleased with my Nikon d300 most of the time. Though, if I see a 400mm f5.6 in the canon lineup I am a bit tempted.

Answer by calnickel
Your best bet is to try each and see which one you like best.

For lens compatibility, forget it. I’m not going to buy a like SLR that can take each lens made and then go to the pawn shop for an ancient lens. I cheaped out on a body and got excellent brand-new lenses. You aren’t going to find deals on high-quality grown-up lenses anyways.

I used to shoot Canon, but the layout of the controls is poor (by your index finger for the selector wheel instead of a redundant digit like a thumb or middle finger on the Nikon) and I found Nikon’s autofocus to be much quicker and reliable. I prefer Nikon’s image quality as well.

But this is all opinion. Don’t forget that Pentax, Olympus, and Sony make excellent DSLRs as well with comparable contemporary lens selections…

Don’t forget that camera’s by themselves don’t take excellent pictures. But the factor on a camera that most affects the picture is the lens. Spend lots of money on lenses and get the cheapest body that will do the job, since lenses will last longer than bodies.

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IMG_3677


Image by max.abuelsamid
The best digital slr camera ever, ever, the canon rebel xti.

What is the best brand/model of digital SLR camera you can get for under $ 1,000?
Thanks!

Answer by David
Nikon d90, gonna be right at the top of your price range tho, like $ 999 with lens and all (can catch around 700 if you shop)

I like this cam and bonus it takes fantastic 720p video as well.

nearly the same quality and features as there d300 at about half the price

Answer by Madeline Wilkes
for help ; open the third & fourth link on : Www.cameras-4-sale.info

Answer by Dr. Iblis
the bests with that budget are the Nikon D3100, Nikon D90, and Canon T2i

that, though, does not mean that cameras that cost less can’t get the same quality- after all, it is mostly the photographer that impacts the quality of a picture… so look at the following models.

Nikons D3000, D5000, D3100, D90
Canons Rebel Xs, T1i, and T2i

Answer by Khri K
You can consider Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Digital SLR Camera
* 18.0-megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor;
* DIGIC 4 image processor for high image quality and speed
* ISO 100-6400 (supple to 12800) for shooting from bright to dim set alight;
* enhanced 63-zone, Dual-layer metering system
* Improved EOS Movie mode with manual exposure control and expanded recording 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
* Wide 3.0-inch Clear View LCD monitor;
* Dedicated Live View/Movie shooting button
* New compatibility with SDXC memory cards,
* Plus new menu status indicator for Eye-Fi support

Answer by Jack F
You’ll get the usual Canon and Nikon users that have never used anything else.

Have a look at either the Sony A55 or A580. The Sony A55 was in Time magazine and is winning awards, it as a 100% coverage electronic view finder, 10fps and the fastest live-view and video auto-focus out there.

You get auto HDR, 3d panoramic sweep, smile technology, GPS tagging and so on and so on. Both have the same Sony sensor as used in the much more expensive Nikon D7000.

Sony dSLRs take Sony, Minolta, Sigma, Tamron, Tokina, CZ and so on lenses, there are HUNDREDS of them.

Also have a look at how many thumbs downs this gets from people who have never even seen the A55/580 never mind used one, they really are clueless…sigh…

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