I can't decide which slr I want. I can't decide between the D50, D70, or the 20D. I don't want the 350xt just because I don't like the feel of it in my hands. Also, my G6 has 7.1 mp will getting the D50 or D70 be taking a step backwards since they're 6.1 mp? I do enjoy being able to crop a photo alot if need be. The 20D obviously would be best for this. But is it best for the money? I do mostly outdoors photos of nature, cars, and landscapes if this helps with your advice. Thanks in advance.
If you get the chance, try the models you've chosen in a store. After using the G6 you may find that the controls on the Nikon are in weird places. It all boils down to what feels the most confortable in your hands.
I wouldn't recommend the 20D b/c you want to crop. Going from 6 to 8 MP isn't a big thing. Goto DPReview and look at the image size difference between the 20D and the 10D. Instead of cropping, I'd recommend zooming in with the lens.
Going from your G6 to a cropped sensor of an SLR will be a jump up regardless of 6 or 8MP's.
All the cameras you mentioned are excellent cameras. Go with the one that fits your hands/budget/photographic needs the best.
Also, if you're going for the way a camera fits your hand, the Minolta Maxxum 7d/5d feel very good to me. The KM-5d has a much better solid feeling than the Rebel XT, and the kit lens is better than the XT or D50's. I like the way Nikons feel also.
MP's aren't neccesarily the whole enchilada, a 6mp Minolta 5d has a better performance than my 8mp "prosumer" because the noise levels are considerably lower. The dynamic range of the sensors are automatically better, and light sensitivity of the sensor is automatically better because it's stil almost 4 times the surface area of your current sensor, and mine.
What's the most you can spend? Don't forget to consider lens'.
Like Pedro said, the Nikon D200 ships in about a week. It should be a monster of a camera. I have one pre-ordered and I'm hoping to get it delivered in the first or second round of shipments.
The 20D packs more punch than the D70 in terms a of specs (pixel count and fps, to name a few) it also costs more.
It seems like you get what you pay for...more money, more features. They all take great images but the feel of the camera and how it's laid out plays a big role as you know from holding the 350xt.
We have 8 photographers (9 if you include me as a back-up) and we have lots of diffeerent camera's owned. Here is the way the 9 of us at work rated the current crop of cameras.
The real bargains are the Nikon D200 and the Canon Rebel 350xt although I suspect the Canon D20 will be a steal in a couple of months.
But you know, we all agreed...you pretty much get what you pay for nowadays..you just have to decide the price point and features..hard to go wrong.
Sorry to any other brands...lack of any real system kills other brands for value and long term investment.
Several of the guys admitted that they were going to go with a Canon 1D mark IIn until the Nikon D2x came out. Now they are in a pickle.
The guy that shoots our University of Virginia football stuff is sellng his Canon 20D and 2 lenses to our Noobie college grad and moving to the dark side with me and the Nikon D2x after I let him shoot UVA's last home game with my kit. The switchable speeds won him over and the flash system.
Really though, any of the camera's listed above will produce such kick-ass files you can't go wrong.
I love the Canon 20D, it produces awesoms files and fast 5 fps.
canon has a larger choice of oem lenses but that does not mean nikon does not have good lenses. the pro range of lenses are comparable, canon offers more consumer lenses than nikon thats all.
there comes a point where the megapixel count matters less. 6mp and above are enough for ur average printing needs.
DSLRs have bigger sensors then prosumers. this allows them less noise at higher iso. many pics taken at iso800 or 1600 look good as long as u dont look at their 100% crops.
20d has 5fps while d50 and d70s are at 3fps but since u dont shoot sports much, this will matter less.
DSLR bodies come and go but good lenses are timeless.
consider that the d70s kit comes with a relatively good lens(if u intend to the a kit that is) the d50 kit lens is kinda crappy and its not a real afs lens. does the 20d come with a kit lens?
personally, i choose to get the d70s body only and a tokina 28-80/2.8 which is a good 3rd party alternative for the nikon 24-70/2.8 which i cant afford(yet) on the wide end i got a tokina 12-24/4, no tele yet.
so my advise is, get a good set of wide, normal, tele lenses as they are 1 time investments. as for the body, as long as it doesnt limit u.
the Nikon D200 certainly has more impressive spec numbers than the Canon 20D for a small increase in price, but no body has published any shots, let alone comparison to a 20D, so time will tell.
Canon is announces new models on Feb and August, so the rumor is that the 20D's replacement will be announced come Feb.
Anyone in this position should make use of what is surely the best digital camera review site on the web dpreview
The reviews of the cameras are so detailed its scary. For those looking to shorten their list, they have a facility where you can compare your short list Digital Cameras Side-by-Side Each feature is listed on the same line for each camera and you can start sorting your personal preferences from that.
Anyone in this position should make use of what is surely the best digital camera review site on the web dpreview
The reviews of the cameras are so detailed its scary. For those looking to shorten their list, they have a facility where you can compare your short list Digital Cameras Side-by-Side Each feature is listed on the same line for each camera and you can start sorting your personal preferences from that.
Brett
Thanks. I knew of dpreview, but I didn't know about the side by side feature on the site. That's definitely helpful.
Thanks. I knew of dpreview, but I didn't know about the side by side feature on the site. That's definitely helpful.
My pleasure. I'm not surprised you hadn't seen it, I didn't until after I'd bought my camera and somebody else pointed it out. it's deeply buried in the menus and I always have to try several before I find it again. It's under the "Buying Guide" Menu
