photography buffs, help me buy a DSLR camera

[By-Tor]

40d

[otnemem]

DDY,

I just recently ordered a dSLR, also as a Xmas present. I had the same conundrum as you, but at a lower level (xt versus d40). I ended up ordering the xt. Most of the advice I was given came down to: they're both excellent cameras, and most of the differences between them are very nominal, therefore it all depends on how it feels in your hand. I did hear that Nikons (the d40 at least) aren't as good shooting in low light. Also, I heard that Canon lenses are better, but Nikon flashes are better, fwiw.

[hicherbie]

i own an xti and main problem is size/shape of camera. id go handle both of these at a store to make sure it fits your hand. i think the body of the canon is rather slim and shooting with it for a few hours isnt very comfortable. from what i understand this is a common complaint for a lot of guys.

[plomahaaaa]

I'd highly recommend D80...

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?p=688414#post688414

[neuroman]

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Your "point and shoot" has 10X optical zoom??

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Yup, the S3IS does.

I just checked, 12X actually.

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hmm I guess I just never thought of a camera this big and bulky:



as a point and shoot.

[DING-DONG YO]

I see your point, but technically it is a point and shoot.

And it's really not that big and bulky, believe it or not. It's too big to put in your pocket, sure, but it is much smaller than any SLR. Cameras like the S3IS are kind of between a real SLR and a small pocket size point and shoot.

[DING-DONG YO]

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I chose the Nikon D80 over the D40 because of lens compatability - I have a significant investment in Nikor lenses that would not work on the D40.

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That's my only real problem with the Nikon. Apparently, there is no auto-focus inside the body of the camera. That means that every lens you ever use with this camera must have an auto-focus built into the lens. I'm wondering if this is going to be a problem in the future.

Other than that, I'm leaning towards the Nikon. I like the way the camera feels better and it seems to focus a little faster.

Does anyone have any insight into the zoom question in my OP?

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I heard that Canon lenses are better

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I've heard that same thing. But I also read in more than 1 place that the lens that comes standard with the XTi (I know you said you got the XT) sucks. I'm worried about having to drop another $500 on a lens a month after I buy the camera.

To be fair, I probably wouldn't notice that much of a difference. I'm starting to notice a lot of comments on these cameras from pros and amatuers since both of them use these lower end SLRs quite extensively. Obviously, things that pros hate are not even going to be noticed by the more casual photographer. That makes it kind of tough to sift through the comments/reviews to figure out which complaints are a big deal and which aren't.

[4 High]

My Kodak Z712 IS is a point and shoot with 12x Optical.

[kerowo]

The truth of the mater is that you won't be able to tell the difference between a Canon or a Nikon lens. Not in everyday shooting. Maybe if all you shoot is brick walls or tennis nets.

A 12x optical zoom means the long end is 12 times the wide end. So if it is 25mm on the wide end it would 300mm at the long end.

[4 High]

For what reasons would someone get a DSLR over a Digital Point and Shoot with 12x - 18x Optical Zoom? Not being nitty, just curious as to what the DSLR does that much better? I know you can take a bajillion photos in like 1 second, but is there anything else?