Which DSLR?

[ChipsAndCheese]

I am looking at getting my first DSLR camera, and have been looking at the Canon EOS 600D and Nikon D5100. Both seem similarly speced and priced, and plenty of online reviews seem to back each as the better camera.

Being new to SLRs I want something easy to use that will produce good quality pics, but also has the features to allow me to grow as a photographer as I learn more. I plan to shoot portraits, landscapes and automotive shots.

Does anyone have any experience with these models or recommend one over the other?

Thanks

[flat-planedCrank]

I've no experience with either


I'd recommend visiting a local camera shop and trying both out - see which one you prefer to use. Some people just prefer the button / settings layout on some systems. Also take a memory card with you so you can save the picks you take in the shop and view them later.

I'm guessing you've seen these reviews?
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos600d/
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond5100/

They do seem pretty neck-and-neck, can't see much in the 'negatives' column for each model. Picking between them may just come down to personal preference



It's worth keeping in mind that when you buy a new camera you are buying into that 'lens mount' as much as you are buying a single camera. Both Nikon and Canon offer a wide range of lenses (& other accessories) themselves and also have access to a huge range of lenses from other manufacturers such as Sigma, Tamron, etc.
So both ranges have cheaper 'walk around' zooms to high-end 'sports' primes and wide-angle landscape lenses - but there are 'unique' lenses in each range, so if you have something specific in mind then that may be a good reason to go for that system


From what I've read I don't think either camera is a bad option

[McMacro]

+1 ^

You really need to handle the cameras and play around with the user-interface on both to see which one you prefer. I decided to go with canon, purely down to the UI and how I interacted with it.

[GetCarter]

Either of those would be fine. Canon & Nikon are the market leaders.

[dibbly dobbler]

There's an elephant in the room which nobody is mentioning: Nikon is for pussies, Canon FTW !!!

[Simpo Two]

To all intents and purposes they will turn in identical results - as said the main thing is which (a) feels better in the hand to you (b) has the controls you need where you like them.

The latter is probably tricky as you won't know which controls you need yet, but don't worry about the 'which is best quality?' thing.

[JJM]

Also worth considering which make your friends use.

[K12beano]

You might want to consider the lens(es) you want and simply add the brand of camera to fit the lenses you want to use. But definitely go and handle the option on your short list.

[ChipsAndCheese]

Thanks for all the replies. I had a play with them both in Jessops and both felt nice to hold and use. I felt the Nikon was a bit easier to use as a beginner, but it looked as though it would be quicker and less clunky to change the more advanced settings on the Canon once you know what you are doing.

Nikon has price in its favour, and most comparisons I have seen put it slightly ahead. One thing that concerns me though is the lack of auto focus motor in the camera body meaning it requires lenses with the motor built in. Is this going to restrict greatly, the number of lenses available to me, or do most have a auto focus motor in them these days?

[trackdemon]

dibbly dobbler said:

There's an elephant in the room which nobody is mentioning: Nikon is for pussies, Canon FTW !!!

Depends whether you want a camera made by a camera manufacturer or a company that make office electronics

[dibbly dobbler]

trackdemon said:

dibbly dobbler said:

There's an elephant in the room which nobody is mentioning: Nikon is for pussies, Canon FTW !!!

Depends whether you want a camera made by a camera manufacturer or a company that make office electronics

At least Canon know how to put an auto focus motor in their lenses

[rxtx]

ChipsAndCheese said:

Nikon has price in its favour, and most comparisons I have seen put it slightly ahead. One thing that concerns me though is the lack of auto focus motor in the camera body meaning it requires lenses with the motor built in. Is this going to restrict greatly, the number of lenses available to me, or do most have a auto focus motor in them these days?

You'll just have to manually focus those non AF-S (or AF-I) lenses. I don't think you'll be too limited

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nikon_F-mount...

[Gad-Westy]

dibbly dobbler said:

At least Canon know how to put an auto focus motor in their lenses

I think you may need to rethink this argument

Op. the lack of in body auto focus needn't be an issue. Any Nikon lens released in the last 10 years or so will have a built in motor and this applies to the majority of third party lenses too. The only slight pain is that a "nifty fifty" costs a bit more with a motor in but then it's a much better lens all round so no big deal.

[jimmy156]

GetCarter said:

Either of those would be fine. Canon & Nikon are the market leaders.

[pedant mode] I thought it was Canon -> Sony -> Nikon now? [/pedant mode]

[GetCarter]

jimmy156 said:

GetCarter said:

Either of those would be fine. Canon & Nikon are the market leaders.

[pedant mode] I thought it was Canon -> Sony -> Nikon now? [/pedant mode]

Not interested in £s, but in available products. Canon and Nikon, still way out in front.

Nikon do cameras, Sony do ... well everything else.

Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 7th April 16:32

[dibbly dobbler]

Gad-Westy said:

I think you may need to rethink this argument

That would imply that I had thought about it the first time

OP - I'm an arse, ignore everything I've said

[jimmy156]

GetCarter said:

Not interested in £s, but in available products. Canon and Nikon, still way out in front.

Nikon do cameras, Sony do ... well everything else.

Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 7th April 16:32

Fair enough , Canon or Nikon would always be the obvious choice. I think if i was starting again now i might be tempted by Nikon, in the segment i would be looking at i think the d7000 trumps the 60d in most aspects.

[Upatdawn]

Ive been using a Fuji with a flip'n'tip LCD which make high or low level shots a breeze, which "serious" (or as serious as £400 will go to) DSLR's have one?

[K12beano]

Upatdawn said:

Ive been using a Fuji with a flip'n'tip LCD which make high or low level shots a breeze, which "serious" (or as serious as £400 will go to) DSLR's have one?

Most have had accessory right-angle finders for this very purpose for years. Nikon, for example have a range of accessories that will fit any SLR/dSLR with the round eyepiece (I have favoured a magnifying eyepiece combined with eyecup for many years.)

[jimmy156]

K12beano said:

Upatdawn said:

Ive been using a Fuji with a flip'n'tip LCD which make high or low level shots a breeze, which "serious" (or as serious as £400 will go to) DSLR's have one?

Most have had accessory right-angle finders for this very purpose for years. Nikon, for example have a range of accessories that will fit any SLR/dSLR with the round eyepiece (I have favoured a magnifying eyepiece combined with eyecup for many years.)

Built in, The Canon 60d and 600d have one, not sure about the nikons.