need advice on Canon 500D and Nikon D90

[Billy]

Hi everyone,

I am looking to buy a DSLR. the model I am looking at is Canon 500D and Nikon D90, but not sure which one to buy.

Can anyone give me some advice on these 2 camera?

Thank you!

Billy

[EGD]

go the nikon lol!!

sorry, i haven't used the 500D, but i looking at the spec i would say these 2 are pretty similar cameras. i would suggest you go to a camera shop and try both on your hand and feel which one you prefer.

also depends on how much your budget is, bare in mind, Nikon's top lens will always be slightly more expensive than canon's L series, i learnt this from my past experience :).

good luck

[availablelight]

it really depends on the whole system rather than just the starter camera... you dont want to make a choice at the start then decide to change and have to dump ALL the gear youve bought so far to do the switch (assuming you cant afford to collect both)

[Haim]

Well, i would say go the D90 not becasue i'm a Nikon whore.... becasue of the VALUE you get with the D90, in saying that.... i havent used a canon 500d..... having that in mind.... EGD would know... wbout it as he came over from canon he used to have the 40d which is the equivelant of the d300 in nikon ( the d300 is an awesome camera)

Having spoken about the d300, the D90 has the SAME sensor thus having the same image quality of it.... PLUS it does HD vide which is a massive plus for me if i was on the market for a DSLR... plus it's amazing 3" screen....

check this site (http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm) out ( warning.... highly nikon biased)

keeping the d90 in mind...it's kinda in the middle not pro slr not entry level... BUT if you are looking at entry level Dslr's .... you should not look further than a D5000.... it's ISO capabilities are better than the prosumer D300!!! so yeah.... check this (http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d5000/high-iso-comparison.htm)out

hope i helped.....

also there are +'s and -'s in every company.... ie canon and nikon........ so yeah since i shoot nikon i'm obviously nikon biased but yeah... it's up to you in the end of the day.......

you should also remember that buying a good camera body isnt everything.... if i had X ammount of money which was to be spent on shit glass vs a real good body i would go mid to entry level slr and get a real good piece of glass... ( glass=lens)


if you need any more help just ask.... oh and also that website has canon reviews.... so check them out too!

[Moppie]

sorry, i haven't used the 500D, but i looking at the spec i would say these 2 are pretty similar cameras. i would suggest you go to a camera shop and try both on your hand and feel which one you prefer.



Good advice, the cameras and systems are both so good it doesn't really matter which one you pick if your worried about IQ, performance etc.
This means you can choose the system that you like you using the best. The one with the GUI and ergonomics you like the most.
So go and try both cameras and pick the one that feels the best for you.



check this site (http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm) out ( warning.... highly nikon biased)



KR is a shining example of bad shit on the internet.
He is a complete BS artisit who gives bad advice and opinion all so he can sell advertising on his site.
Stay away from him, and don't post links to him, which helps promote his google ranking.

[talan]

I always thought if you choose Nikon you are stuck with a smaller range of lenses and generally have to pay more for the equivalent of the Canon one. Still true?

[EGD]

i wouldn't say the range is smaller, but pay more. . .hell ya!!

[talan]

i wouldn't say the range is smaller, but pay more. . .hell ya!!

So kind of like owning a European car... :D

[Billy]

sorry, i haven't used the 500D, but i looking at the spec i would say these 2 are pretty similar cameras. i would suggest you go to a camera shop and try both on your hand and feel which one you prefer.

That's a good idea, thanks EDG.
By the way, how do you add your Signature and your website under "about me"? I can't see it in my "about me".

[Billy]

you dont want to make a choice at the start then decide to change and have to dump ALL the gear youve bought so far to do the switch (assuming you cant afford to collect both)

No, I can't afford to do that!

[Billy]

the D90 has the SAME sensor thus having the same image quality of it.... PLUS it does HD vide which is a massive plus for me if i was on the market for a DSLR... plus it's amazing 3" screen....

keeping the d90 in mind...it's kinda in the middle not pro slr not entry level... BUT if you are looking at entry level Dslr's .... you should not look further than a D5000.... it's ISO capabilities are better than the prosumer D300!!! so yeah.... check this (http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d5000/high-iso-comparison.htm)out

hope i helped.....

you should also remember that buying a good camera body isnt everything.... if i had X ammount of money which was to be spent on shit glass vs a real good body i would go mid to entry level slr and get a real good piece of glass... ( glass=lens)

Hi Haim,

Thank you for your advice, they are helpful :)

I did some research on the internet, the D90 do have very good rating! Some of the reviews said the D90 video recording is only up to a very short period of time, is that true?

What is the video quality like?

[Billy]

So kind of like owning a European car... :D

ummm... the quality of the photo is more important to me than where it make http://www.photographersonline.co.nz/images/icons/icon12.gif

Out of interest, I find that Canon 500D is made in Japan and Nikon D90 is made in Thailand.

[Snapfrozen]

If you havnt purchased yet and are in Auckland, send me a PM - you can come in on Saturday and try em both out (Im in retail) and let you decide for yourself. I personally have a 450D, and love it, i find the 500D is good value for money and comparatively spec wise is better than the d90. Also consider what lens you would get with each, as the kit lenses vary, and if you are to buy the body only, the price is very different between the 2.

[tomberkley]

Id say you cant go wrong with eather canon and nikon are the two leaders in slrs, both will be amazing cameras. and i cant see you being dissapointed with eather. but this doesnt wont get you any nearer to a decision sorry
cheers
Tom

[Haim]

i think that you shouldnt get a kit lens. go for a good piece of glass mate.

[Snapfrozen]

Also - despite working for a retailer, shop around and see what kits people are doing. We have several nikon and canon kits which are exclusive to us, and contain higher end lenses, the D90 we currently have in stock has a non kit lens with it for around the 3k mark RRP (Would have to check stock, havnt been at work since sat)

[talan]

i think that you shouldnt get a kit lens. go for a good piece of glass mate.
Depends on budget and requirements really.

But if I were to do it again, I would get body only and probably spend a little more an a good lens (Y)

[Haim]

exactly. dont make a mistake and get a real good body and a kit lens. take my advice and you will love your setup. in the end of the day camera bodies come and go but it's the lenses which stay

Also - despite working for a retailer, shop around and see what kits people are doing. We have several nikon and canon kits which are exclusive to us, and contain higher end lenses, the D90 we currently have in stock has a non kit lens with it for around the 3k mark RRP (Would have to check stock, havnt been at work since sat)

which 'kit lens' is it?

[Snapfrozen]

Off the top of my head? Cant remember, something - 105 maybe? I dont sell alot of nikon, i pitch the dark side, the 2 girls who work in the photo area with me are the opposite though. Everything is backwards on a nikon!

[Haim]

what do u mean when you say everthing is backwards?

[Snapfrozen]

Threading on the lenses :P The menus are a bit weird. Its simply me being used to my 450D that i try do everything as if im using the same SLR when im playing with a nikon. Anyhow, were hijacking the thread. Back on topic!

[Haim]

yeah my point is that if he is considering a d90 ( which isnt that cheap) i would surely think that he will haave some money left for a good piece of glass.

[tomberkley]

Im the same, get the body only, and then invest in some better glass. A 50mm is a really good place to start. I dont evan use my kit lens anymore.
It really depends on how much you want ot spend, because the body isnt the expency part. you will find yourself spending 5 times as much on mean lenses, once you see how many mint as lenses there are out there.

[Redal]

I have had a play with the Canon 500d,
the image quality is good, but for taking photos id go for a Canon 40d, the focus is more accurate and a feel a better camera, even better than the Canon 50d .

To use for video, a few things that i wasn't happy with is
placement/ quaility of mic , you hear when you zoom and focus :(
no external mic plug ,

I haven't used the D90 so cant comment on that.

[Billy]

If you havnt purchased yet and are in Auckland, send me a PM - you can come in on Saturday and try em both out (Im in retail) and let you decide for yourself. I personally have a 450D, and love it, i find the 500D is good value for money and comparatively spec wise is better than the d90. Also consider what lens you would get with each, as the kit lenses vary, and if you are to buy the body only, the price is very different between the 2.

Hi Snapfrozen

Thanks for your kind offer, but I have already bought a Canon 500D with short and long kit lenses. I haven't try use the D90, but so far, I am quite happy with what I got. I am still learning how to use it as this is my first DSLR camera. I have posted a few photos on my flickr homepage, maybe you can give me some advice on how I can improve my photography :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/billythedragonboy/

---------- Post added at 07:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:12 PM ----------

Hi Talan, Haim, Tomberkley, Redal and Snapfrozen,

Thank you for all your advice :)

[PureKiwi]

some nice photos there can i ask how much you paid ?

[Billy]

some nice photos there can i ask how much you paid ?

Thanks :)
I got it for about $2,300 with 5 years warranty, extra battery, memroy card, twin lens and a big Canon camera bag, hope this well.