Nikon d90 vs canon?

[commie]

I am looking to purchase my first dSLR and was looking towards the Nikon D90.

This will be my first dSLR, but i have experience with film SLR's...however, its been close to 10 years since i touched a SLR...
Been too busy with other hobbies...But now i would like to get back into photography....Nothing crazy..just looking for a good overall camera.

Would the Nikon D90 be the best bet? what about the canon's? what is the Canon's model to the D90?

My price point is probably $1500 for the body and lens...Although that is not set in stone.

[MikeAK]

Here are a few links to help you out with research...

http://www.cameralabs.com/
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/
http://www.dpreview.com/
http://www.steves-digicams.com/default.htm

Camera Labs is a really good site and has video tours as well. Unfortunately us Canadians pay a premium for electronics so the D90 is priced around the same as a Canon 40D - 50D. If you have around $1500 to spend I would seriously look at the Canon 40D-50D, they are both built like tanks and get rave reviews from most. The D90 does record 720p video though so you have to ask yourself what features you really want/need. Have a look at those links I gave you, they may help.

[j27lee]

i just went through this and ended up with a 50D w/ 17-85... to me, the video is useless... the 50D felt better in my hands, though heavier... and the kit lens was faster focusing than the d90 kit lens ... then i went with gut feel and when a deal came up ($1269 pm'd at BB), i grabbed it... no regrets so far.

I know the kit lense isn't the greatest, but is fine to play around with for now. When i have some more money, i can always sell it.

With the Nikons though, they are supposed to have better low light IQ, and do nice little things like including the screen protector and lens hood... the D90 also uses SD cards which will save you a good amount of money... CF cards aren't cheap... especially if you want to get something that won't bog down the camera. It is also a substantially lighter camera, which would be nice for traveling...

in the end it's up to you... both are very nice cameras

[jackwest]

Holy crap where did you get the 50D with 17 85 from for 1269?

[Txiasaeia]

If you're just getting back into the hobby, and you don't absolutely need the best or the greatest, you might want to consider the D80 over the D90. The D80 has an older sensor & 2 megapixels less, which are likely the only features that will make a difference. It's also a few hundred dollars cheaper.

[Sgt_Strider]

I am looking to purchase my first dSLR and was looking towards the Nikon D90.

This will be my first dSLR, but i have experience with film SLR's...however, its been close to 10 years since i touched a SLR...
Been too busy with other hobbies...But now i would like to get back into photography....Nothing crazy..just looking for a good overall camera.

Would the Nikon D90 be the best bet? what about the canon's? what is the Canon's model to the D90?

My price point is probably $1500 for the body and lens...Although that is not set in stone.

Well, I think if you want to stick to this generation of cameras, you're looking at either the D90 or Canon 50D. Personally, I would go with the Nikon D90, but you can't go wrong with either camera.

[Narci]

Doesn't the 50D have Digic 4 processing and the D90 Digic 3 processing? I read the digic 4 processing is much faster.

[Sgt_Strider]

Doesn't the 50D have Digic 4 processing and the D90 Digic 3 processing? I read the digic 4 processing is much faster.

Nikon uses the Expeed chip and the 50D uses Digic 4.

[warpdrive]

Nikon uses the Expeed chip and the 50D uses Digic 4.

This whole thing about naming the processor is a bit of a marketing excercise anyway. It's just something that sounds impressive for advertising. It's as if "yeah, our processor is so good, we trademarked a name for it so that you know that nobody else is using our superior processor". Everybody has jumped on the bandwagon, Nikon with their Expeed, Sony with Bionz, Panasonic with Venus, etc. It's all pretty meaningless.

[Sgt_Strider]

This whole thing about naming the processor is a bit of a marketing excercise anyway. It's just something that sounds impressive for advertising. It's as if "yeah, our processor is so good, we trademarked a name for it so that you know that nobody else is using our superior processor". Everybody has jumped on the bandwagon, Nikon with their Expeed, Sony with Bionz, Panasonic with Venus, etc. It's all pretty meaningless.

I agree, but I'm only spelling out the differences for him. This is no different from Intel and AMD naming their processors either.

[Asad_A203]

I am looking at upgrading my body too; the D90 makes it alot more tempting with the video recording function (even if it eats memory and audio is mono) than a 40D... Does the D90 have a built in AF motor?

Edit
Answered my own question.

[warpdrive]

Does the D90 have a built in AF motor?

Sure it does.

As for the D90 vs Canon, you REALLY can't go wrong with either the D90 or the 50D. What lenses do you intend to buy...that should determine your decision. Unless you are a fanboy of either brand, I really doubt that anybody would be disappointed with either camera.

For me, I'm already invested in the Nikon system so I'm looking for a D90 when tax refund time comes around, or I find a deal I can't refuse (too bad I missed out on the last two Futureshop price errors). If I was starting over again, I might have chosen Canon but it would have been a emotional decision or gut feeling than any scientific conclusion about which is a superior camera.

[Sgt_Strider]

I am looking at upgrading my body too; the D90 makes it alot more tempting with the video recording function (even if it eats memory and audio is mono) than a 40D... Does the D90 have a built in AF motor?

Edit
Answered my own question.

The video recording feature is more of a gimmick. I wouldn't buy a camera for its video recording capability.

[warpdrive]

I think the video recording might be a fun feature. More than once I had my SLR with me, but thought "wouldn't it be fun to capture a short video clip?".

For example, I was at a zoo, and there was a Panda munching on bamboo. I had my telephoto with me and was able to get some nice shots, but none of that captured the feeling of seeing the Panda munching...which was so cute. It makes me regret leaving my camcorder behind, but with a video feature, you'll never be caught off guard. The video recording is NEVER going to replace a dedicated HD camcorder because of the limitations of the way it works, but it adds an extra dimension to the appeal of carrying the DSLR around

[Asad_A203]

Sure it does.

As for the D90 vs Canon, you REALLY can't go wrong with either the D90 or the 50D. What lenses do you intend to buy...that should determine your decision. Unless you are a fanboy of either brand, I really doubt that anybody would be disappointed with either camera.

For me, I'm already invested in the Nikon system so I'm looking for a D90 when tax refund time comes around, or I find a deal I can't refuse (too bad I missed out on the last two Futureshop price errors). If I was starting over again, I might have chosen Canon but it would have been a emotional decision or gut feeling than any scientific conclusion about which is a superior camera.

Lens setup I currently have is Tamron 17-50 f2.8 (Canon mount; which still has not shipped out so I could probably switch it over Nikon mount), kit lens, and 50mm f1.8. I assume Nikon has their own Nifty fifty lens. I have been eyeing a 70-200L f4 but I am sure Nikon has their own 70-200L equivalent. Only pain I will have is not being able to switch lenses between my current body and my future body if its a Nikon (means I will have to sell my Rebel...).