Nikon D80 or Canon EOS Rebel XTI??

***ImTheVoiceOfGod*** · 03-01-2007, 12:28 PM

Im looking at picking up one of these two cameras in the next couple weeks. Just wanted some input on what you all think is the better choice. I've never done any serious digital photography, but Ive been doing 35 for quite a while. Any help would be appreciated.

**marc-o-lishuz** · 03-01-2007, 12:31 PM

This argument is like the Si vs GTI squabble!

XTi = Si

and since
Si > GTI
then,
XTi > D80

ps - I'm a die-hard Canon fan.

cappykd · 03-01-2007, 02:16 PM

marc-o-lishuz is dead on... I'm a Canon fan as well. XTi ftw.

8thgenuser · 03-01-2007, 02:33 PM

Both are excellent cameras. Some questions you should find out more about are:

What lenses are available for each camera? Do you get more bang for the buck with one manufacturer or the other?

What camera features are important to you? Are those important features easy to navigate to on the camera?

If both cameras are equal in feature set to you, then go to a camera store and hold each in your hands and see which is more comfortable for you to handle. Check out the materials and build quality.

There are probably more Canon dSLR users now than there are Nikon dSLR users. This is probably so because Canon made an impact early in the digital SLR game and their compact point and shoot digital cameras are very popular as well. Nikon is making a steady comeback with their new offerings, but they don't really advertise to the mass market. Instead, they have been relying heavily on brand loyalty.

There are just as many Canon dSLR fanboi sites as there are Nikon dSLR fanboi sites, but it would be a good idea to check them out to see what they have to say about the cameras.

With these two cameras, either way you go, you will have made the right decision.

Also, keep in mind that the camera body doesn't matter nearly as much as the lens that you choose.

cappykd · 03-01-2007, 02:38 PM

You could also go to the following sites to get more info and reviews.

www.dpreview.com
www.stevesdigicams.com
www.dcresource.com

All are VERY good digital photography sites.

Oh and everything 8thgenuser said is dead on +1.

JeShUa · 03-01-2007, 02:38 PM

its all personal prefference..
I <3 canon ;] but I opted for the XT.. cause the files are HUGE enough already... and a better lens is more useful than a better body IMO..
theres nothing wrong with the d80.. just dont like nikon ;]

8thgenuser · 03-01-2007, 03:22 PM

If you've been using a film SLR, the choice is easy. Just stick to the brand that you use now. The lens mounts are backward compatible. Canon dSLRs can use the older film SLR lenses, so can Nikon.

The only trouble-maker for Nikon is their new D40 (which will be arriving at my desk anytime soon now

) which will only auto-focus with Nikkor lenses with the AF-S designation or Sigma lenses with the HSM designation (

).

***ImTheVoiceOfGod*** · 03-01-2007, 03:33 PM

But the D80 will work with all AF lenses that work with other Nikons?
Right now I have a Nikon N75. If I could use the lenses I have for that, then I'll deff get the D80.

8thgenuser · 03-01-2007, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImTheVoiceOfGod

But the D80 will work with all AF lenses that work with other Nikons?
Right now I have a Nikon N75. If I could use the lenses I have for that, then I'll deff get the D80.

Yes, the older lenses will mount on the D80. They will auto-focus, however, I'm not sure if the old lenses will meter correctly. Gotta look that one up.

The D40 doesn't have the mount for screw drive lenses, so the D40 can only auto-focus with hypersonic wave technology lenses (AF-S for Nikkor, HSM for Sigma). Non-AF-S lenses will mount on the D40, but you would need to manual focus. It's not really that much of a problem because the autofocus boxes will still light up when you manual focus.

Also, since you're switching from a 35mm camera, the image sensor is about 1.5X smaller on the Nikon dSLR than on 35mm Nikons, therefore your "normal" 50mm lens will act like a 75mm lens on the dSLR. A "normal" lens for the Nikon dSLR would be a 33mm. Since they don't make 33mm, a 28 or 30mm will get you close.

Another designation you should be familiar with on new Nikkor lenses is "DX" which are lenses which are made specifically for the smaller sensor on the dSLR. "DX" lenses will mount on your film SLR, however the images will have a sort of "tunnel" effect (like you were looking through a monocular).

bESS · 03-01-2007, 03:55 PM

i think it boils down to personal preference, and what system and lenses you already have. I have always used Nikon (and had a D-70), but was considering changing back to a Canon because their technology seems to come out faster than Nikon, and always at a lesser price. The problem with the Canon is the viewfinder, it looks like the image is in a tunnel. you don't get this problem with Nikon, which is much easier to view, but perhaps those of you that don't wear glasses would have less problems. I settled on the D-80 with 18-120 lens, and it is a great combination.

it also has a lot more post processing software built in, such as D-lighting, and other image enhancing options.

bob

**marc-o-lishuz** · 03-01-2007, 04:25 PM

Not all Canon dSLRs are backwards-compatible to older lenses. The mounts are slightly smaller on my 350D (XT) and the older lenses have mechanical levers that are not accepted on the newer camera bodies.

PS - I'm upgrading to a 400D (XTi) pretty soon...

03-01-2007, 12:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
*ImTheVoiceOfGod* BEWARE THE REP!!!! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Camp Buehring Age: 26 Posts: 22,546 Corsport Fanboi iTrader: 11 / 100%	Nikon D80 or Canon EOS Rebel XTI?? Im looking at picking up one of these two cameras in the next couple weeks. Just wanted some input on what you all think is the better choice. I've never done any serious digital photography, but Ive been doing 35 for quite a while. Any help would be appreciated. Last edited by ImTheVoiceOfGod; 03-01-2007 at 03:36 PM.

03-01-2007, 03:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
8thgenuser Webby's Minion Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 7,069 Nikon Squad Member #8 iTrader: 1 / 100%	If you've been using a film SLR, the choice is easy. Just stick to the brand that you use now. The lens mounts are backward compatible. Canon dSLRs can use the older film SLR lenses, so can Nikon. The only trouble-maker for Nikon is their new D40 (which will be arriving at my desk anytime soon now ) which will only auto-focus with Nikkor lenses with the AF-S designation or Sigma lenses with the HSM designation ().

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03-01-2007, 12:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
marc-o-lishuz Dacia Sandero Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Age: 26 Posts: 23,087 Marc iTrader: 2 / 100%	This argument is like the Si vs GTI squabble! XTi = Si and since Si > GTI then, XTi > D80 ps - I'm a die-hard Canon fan.

03-01-2007, 02:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
cappykd Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SoCal Age: 38 Posts: 1,806 Kirk iTrader: 9 / 100%	marc-o-lishuz is dead on... I'm a Canon fan as well. XTi ftw.

03-01-2007, 02:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
8thgenuser Webby's Minion Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 7,069 Nikon Squad Member #8 iTrader: 1 / 100%	Both are excellent cameras. Some questions you should find out more about are: What lenses are available for each camera? Do you get more bang for the buck with one manufacturer or the other? What camera features are important to you? Are those important features easy to navigate to on the camera? If both cameras are equal in feature set to you, then go to a camera store and hold each in your hands and see which is more comfortable for you to handle. Check out the materials and build quality. There are probably more Canon dSLR users now than there are Nikon dSLR users. This is probably so because Canon made an impact early in the digital SLR game and their compact point and shoot digital cameras are very popular as well. Nikon is making a steady comeback with their new offerings, but they don't really advertise to the mass market. Instead, they have been relying heavily on brand loyalty. There are just as many Canon dSLR fanboi sites as there are Nikon dSLR fanboi sites, but it would be a good idea to check them out to see what they have to say about the cameras. With these two cameras, either way you go, you will have made the right decision. Also, keep in mind that the camera body doesn't matter nearly as much as the lens that you choose.

03-01-2007, 02:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
cappykd Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SoCal Age: 38 Posts: 1,806 Kirk iTrader: 9 / 100%	You could also go to the following sites to get more info and reviews. www.dpreview.com www.stevesdigicams.com www.dcresource.com All are VERY good digital photography sites. Oh and everything 8thgenuser said is dead on +1.

03-01-2007, 02:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
JeShUa Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 12,198 Keepin` it Phresh iTrader: 11 / 100%	its all personal prefference.. I <3 canon ;] but I opted for the XT.. cause the files are HUGE enough already... and a better lens is more useful than a better body IMO.. theres nothing wrong with the d80.. just dont like nikon ;]

03-01-2007, 03:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
*ImTheVoiceOfGod* BEWARE THE REP!!!! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Camp Buehring Age: 26 Posts: 22,546 Corsport Fanboi iTrader: 11 / 100%	But the D80 will work with all AF lenses that work with other Nikons? Right now I have a Nikon N75. If I could use the lenses I have for that, then I'll deff get the D80.

03-01-2007, 03:55 PM	#10 (permalink)
bESS Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 16 iTrader: 0 / 0%	i think it boils down to personal preference, and what system and lenses you already have. I have always used Nikon (and had a D-70), but was considering changing back to a Canon because their technology seems to come out faster than Nikon, and always at a lesser price. The problem with the Canon is the viewfinder, it looks like the image is in a tunnel. you don't get this problem with Nikon, which is much easier to view, but perhaps those of you that don't wear glasses would have less problems. I settled on the D-80 with 18-120 lens, and it is a great combination. it also has a lot more post processing software built in, such as D-lighting, and other image enhancing options. bob

03-01-2007, 04:25 PM	#11 (permalink)
marc-o-lishuz Dacia Sandero Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Age: 26 Posts: 23,087 Marc iTrader: 2 / 100%	Not all Canon dSLRs are backwards-compatible to older lenses. The mounts are slightly smaller on my 350D (XT) and the older lenses have mechanical levers that are not accepted on the newer camera bodies. PS - I'm upgrading to a 400D (XTi) pretty soon...