Camera Recommendations.

One of the first shots with my new Nikon D700 at the new, old house this weekend.

So the decision to switch from Canon to Nikon was a hard one for me (and apparently, my decision has been hard on a few of you too):

Nancy wrote: WHAAA? my leader switched! I feel like a little kid whose teacher disappeared...and she went to another school, and I'm looking for her...but it's dark...where is she? I am a sheep...must follow...

Ann wrote:  I feel like my dog ran away.

Kelli wrote:  Oh, man, I'm so sad. You were my Canon-go-to-girl. First the last ER and now this...this is the worst Friday ever!

Coley on the other hand has been quite excited about my switch to Nikon.  In fact, when I rented it, he said "I just knew you were going to switch to Nikon because I heard you talking on the phone about that boy you love (I should clarify that I don't actually love Nate, I just love his pictures) who used to have a Nikon and then changed his mind and bought a Canon and you were so happy because you had a Canon too but then he changed his mind again and went back to Nikon and you were so sad - I just knew it!"

An ongoing joke in all of my online photography classes is that 'You can't have your cake and eat it too.' 

You always have to be willing to give up something in order to gain something in the world of photography and cameras are no exception.

There's a lot to consider when purchasing a camera.  My hope is to help everyone out here by listing some pros/cons/my thoughts on various cameras in different price ranges.  My biggest considerations personally in purchasing a camera (given the way I shoot) are related to the focusing system (the more autofocus points, particularly cross-sensor autofocus points, the better/quicker your camera is going to focus for you) and the ISO range (a high maximum will allow you to shoot successfully in lower light situations without a flash) so these will be the two features I will emphasize.  Please note though that ultimately, these are just my opinions (based on research/specs I've read) since I haven't shot with all of these cameras.  So if I don't list your particular camera as my favorite, please don't send me hate mail (because it's not nice and it kind of ruins my day).

Also, please understand that I simply can't answer all of the personal emails I get in regards to equipment recommendations and photography advice as it just it takes too much time away from my online students (and my family) and really, it isn't fair for me to be charging my online students for information if I'm offering that same information for free via email).

Also note that I'll just be giving recommendations for the newest Canon and Nikon releases as there are just way too many camera models out there for me to review them all.  If you want to read an in-depth side-by-side review of cameras though, check this out.

Oh, one more note...my recommendation is to ALWAYS purchase your camera body separately and to avoid purchasing it in a kit (which comes with a lens).  In general, kit lenses are made for affordability, not quality.  So you're much better off getting the camera body only and purchasing your lenses separately.  And please note that while I linked to B&H photo for these cameras, it doesn't matter where you get them (I just usually shop B&H or Adorama).

Will talk more about lens choices in the next week or two.

So without further ado (in order by price range)...

Nikon D60 ($500 body only) vs. Canon Rebel Xsi ($600 body only)
The Nikon D60 has three autofocus points with only the center autofocus point being a cross-sensor.  It's maximum ISO is 3200.  My biggest complaint with the Nikon D60 (and also the older D40 and D40x) is that they can only be used with 'AF-S' lenses which limits your lens selection significantly, particularly if you're lens budget isn't big to begin with.  

The Canon Rebel XSi has nine autofocus points with only the center point being a cross-sensor.  It's maximum ISO is 1600. 

This is kind of a draw.  For the price, they're both great cameras.  Both of the autofocus systems are good but not amazing.  I like the higher ISO of the Nikon D60 but I don't like the fact that it is limited to AF-S lenses (AF-S lenses are spendy so if you have the kind of money to drop on them, you'd be better off getting a higher end camera body anyhow).

That said, Canon is introducing the new Rebel T1i in May 2009 ($800 body only).  This camera will also have nine autofocus points with only the center point being a cross-sensor but this camera has an amazing maximum ISO (12,800).  It also has video.  So the introduction of this camera makes it (in my opinion) the best camera in the market in this price-range (though it makes it more comparably priced to the Nikon D90 discussed below).

Nikon D90 ($900 body only) vs. Canon 50D ($1100 body only)
The Nikon D90 has 11 autofocus points with the center point being a cross-sensor.  The maximum ISO is 6400.  The D90 also offers the option of video which is a huge draw to a lot of photographers.

The 50D has 9 autofocus points but they are ALL cross-sensors and it's maximum ISO is 12,800.  This camera does not offer video.

Since video is not really a consideration to me, I think the Canon 50D is the way to go in this category (though it's more expensive) due to the focusing system and the high ISO.

Nikon D300 ($1800 body only)
The Nikon D300 is an amazing camera with 51 autofocus points (yes, 51!!!!), 15 of which are cross sensors.  It's maximum ISO is 6400.

Canon doesn't make a camera in this price-range which makes the D300 the winner by default.

Nikon D700 ($2700 with rebate body only) vs. Canon 5D Mark II ($2700 body only)
These are the only two Full Frame cameras I'm reviewing - will explain what Full Frame means here in a minute.

The Nikon D700 has 51 autofocus points and 15 of those are cross-sensors.  It's maximum ISO is 25,600.

The Canon 5D Mark II has 9 autofocus points but only one of those is a cross-sensor (it also has 6 assist autofocus points).  It's maximum ISO is also 25,600.  The Canon 5D Mark II offers video, though again, this is not much of a consideration for me personally.

And obviously, I feel like the Nikon won in this category (since this is the camera I bought) due to it's advanced focusing system.

Note that there are more expensive digital cameras on the market but they just aren't affordable/practical for most of us who aren't shooting professionally so I'm not even going to review those.

So as you can see, my decision to switch to Nikon was NOT because I think Nikon makes better cameras straight across the board (because in my opinion, they don't).  My decision to switch to Nikon was based primarily on the fact that for the type of camera I shoot with (a full frame camera) and my style of shooting (candid with lots of fast-moving, uncooperative subjects), I felt the Nikon D700 I rented outperformed my Canon 5D Mark II.

Full Frame Cameras
Most digital cameras on the market have something called a 'crop factor' (most digital cameras have a 1.6 crop factor.  What difference will you notice when shooting with a Full Frame camera vs. a camera with a crop factor?...the biggest thing you'll notice is how 'close' or 'far away' your subject appears when looking through the viewfinder of your camera.  If you are shooting with a camera that has a 1.6 crop factor, it changes the focal length of the lens they're using, making your subject appear closer.  For example, if you put a 50mm lens on a camera with a 1.6 crop factor, the focal length of that lens becomes 80mm (because a 50mm lens with a 1.6 crop factor looks like this mathematically; 50 x 1.6 = 80).  Full Frame cameras however, do not have a crop factor.  So if you put a 50mm lens on a Full Frame camera, the focal length of that lens is truly 50mm.  Kind of confusing, but all you really have to know is that when you put a lens on a camera with 1.6 crop factor, your subject will appear closer than if you put that same lens on a Full Frame camera.

So a camera with a crop factor can be a huge benefit when you're shooting things like sports with a subject is far away (because it will make your subject appear closer).  But it's a huge detriment when your shooting in tight quarters or want to photograph a large scene (again, because everything appears much closer to you).  And while you can try to compensate with that by using different lenses, it's not in everyone's budget to own 5 different lenses.

It's a perfect example of 'not being able to have your cake and eat it too.'

Note that there are other technical reasons behind shooting with a Full Frame camera (I just wanted to give you the most simplified explanation).  For me, I prefer the benefits of shooting with a Full Frame camera.

More thoughts (and some repeat thoughts on the Nikon D700 vs. the Canon 5D Mark II since these are the two cameras I was deciding between)...

The upside of the Nikon D700
The Nikon D700 just has a MUCH MORE sophisticated focusing system than the Canon 5D Mark II.  The D700 has 51 autofocus points and 15 of those are cross-sensors.  The 5D Mark II has 9 autofocus points and only 1 of those is a cross-sensor.  So I can focus on all my uncooperative, fast-moving subjects with a much higher degree of accuracy on the D700.  I took both cameras to the park and tried to shoot Annie while she was playing on a swing and the D700 pummeled my Canon (with comparable lenses) in regards to focusing.  In addition, Nikons just have a lot more options than Canon offers on their cameras that allow you to customize your camera to the way you shoot (simple things like being able to reverse the direction you scroll a particular dial based on your preference).  And while that may not seem like a big deal, I like being able to customize my camera to fit my needs.  With Canons, you just adjust your style of shooting to fit your camera.

The upside of the Canon 5D Mark II
The 5D Mark II is a 21.1 megapixel camera (the Nikon D700 has 12.1 MP).  That honestly wasn't much of a consideration for me though because quite honestly, the race for camera manufacturers to develop the digital camera with the most megapixels is kind of silly to me.  Once digital cameras passed the 10 MP mark, it really didn't matter to me anymore (unless I was enlarging something to make a mural - which I'm not).  In general, I like the color my Canon produced slightly better.  That said, I shoot RAW images so I have a lot of versatility in editing and can compensate for the differences in color there (though there's a learning curve I'll be going through for awhile after switching to Nikon).  In addition, Canon has a much better selection of high quality prime/fixed lenses (prime lenses are lenses that don't 'zoom').  So in switching to Nikon, I had to give up two of my favorite prime lenses; the Canon 50mm f1.2 and the Canon 24mm f1.4.  Losing those two lenses was actually my biggest issue in switching to Nikon.

So I pretty much based my decision off of research/specs I had read on both cameras and by renting the Nikon D700 for a week.  Ultimately though, my final decision came down to the superior focusing system of the D700.  (I rented from Pro Photo Supply).

Nikon has typically been known for having superior focusing systems but Canon has really stepped up to the plate with some of their newer cameras mentioned above.  For example, the new Canon 50D has 9 autofocus points with all of those being cross-sensors.  Why in the world Canon didn't put that same autofocus system into it's new 5D Mark II (which only has one cross-sensor) just boggles my mind (actually, I know why they didn't...it would have wiped out the market for their $4,500 1D Mark III camera).  So basically, you can get a better focusing system (in the Canon 50D) than you can in the Canon 5D Mark II for half the money.  I considered going with the 50D for this precise reason, but ultimately decided that I wasn't willing to give up the Full Frame.

So there it is (hope it's helpful). 

I typed all of this up while sitting at the DMV waiting for Ross to take his driving test (will post about that tomorrow).

Comments

[Sally]

I think you're already aware of how I feel about you making the switch but I just wanted to say thanks for giving us your reasons. :)

[Lisa]

Karen:
GOOD EXPLANATION! THANK YOU for sharing-your life and camera expertise!!! You are a brave, beautiful woman! Hope Ross did well-I'm sure you will have some humorous stories from this new experience.
Have a great day!
Lisa

[nancy in ks]

Do you know how many times I checked your site today waiting for this update? I don't either.

But thanks for sharing all the info. I agree with whomever said last Friday that it doesn't matter which kind of camera that Karen uses: it's the talent behind the camera.

Have a good Nikon week. I'll have a good Canon week.

[Kelliann]

Thanks Karen. Lots of food for thought. Enjoy your new Nikon!:-)
Hope Ross is a happy teenager today!

[Sharon]

I'm with Nancy, it's the talent behind the camera that really matters :)

[tanyawebster]

wow girlie....that is a TON of info (!!!!!) and although you already know this...it is not the camera that makes you amazing....its your talent...and YOU my friend, have a ton of it!!!

Coley's take on things cracked me up!!!

Canon or Nikon you rock it no matter what missy--HANDS DOWN!

[kat-in-texas]

I think less people responded when you stated your political affiliation...sheeeeesh!!!

I had a Nikon film camera that took better pics than my digital Rebel (when compared in full auto). I just got tired of taking and picking up rolls of film at the lab!)

I hope you enjoy your new spoil. Your explanation makes all kind of sense. It doesn't matter a hill of beans to me what type of camera you use. I just love your photography!!!

[Lukas]

I don't really agree with your focal length reasoning for switching to FF. Since UWA lenses are made for cropped bodies. Equivalent focal lengths from 16mm to 400mm and beyond are available for both formats. I think if you shoot portraits then the resulting DOF from the longer focal lengths you'd use on FF is a bigger selling point.

The D300 and D700 are as close to perfect cameras as one could hope for. If Nikon would add some f/4 zooms and prime upgrades then they'd have my money.

[Eh]

Love your photography ... you are a better judge of what is best for you. Guess we were all just hoping you would side with us {but that's impossible}.

[Jo Baer]

I am sad because I wish I would have waited to invest in all my new camera equipment until after you figured this out.
I know people don't like change, and that's not your fault. So don't take this as hate mail, I probably relied on your opinion too much, instead of doing the research and finding out for myself.
It's a bummer, but I suppose we'll want to make the change when our talent doesn't keep up with our equipment anymore too!
Still love ya, and will try my best to forgive ya! Lol.

[Sherri]

on the 5d MarkII, Under custom Function IV (Dial Direction during TV/AV), you can reverse the dial direction. But I am sure you can do more customization with the Nikon. I have heard the menus are very user friendly.

Are you using the wrong jpeg again? The skin tone in your last photo looks a bit grey - Do you have side by side SOC shots for us with each camera Karen? I would love to compare

[ann]

we all still love you and i love love LOVE your blog. but nikon...canon...doesn't matter. my idol quoted me in her blog. :-) you made my day. always looking forward to your photos.

[Kelli]

I guess I can't stay mad at you considering you used my comment in your main blog post.
It doesn't really matter which camera you use, you are a great photographer!

[laura]

I knew you were going to say it was about focusing - I knew it!!!! See, you did teach me something!!!!!!!!! :) I could tell in the photos you uploaded from Courtney's birthday party. The focus was just clearer - I could see it in most of your shots, especially the ones of Annie running from the porch. AND, I have the 5D - older, cheaper model and I swear, with my 9 and 4 year old, it is one of my only complaints about my Canon - I just can't seem to get focus as spot on as I'd like...... Thank you so much for sharing your research and your thought process. I so appreciate hearing your perspective and seeing your creative genius. No matter what type of camera I'm shooting with (a.) I am successfully preserving some wonderful family memories and (b) I am always learning and adapting and taking better photos thanks to you.

Enjoy!!!!!!

[Dina]

Hope Ross does well on his test! As always, thanks for sharing your opinion. I shoot with Canon DSLR and Nikon point and shoot. Before your switch, I was thinking of getting a full frame camera and read up on the Nikon D700 and the Canon 5D Mark II. In all of the articles I read (dpreview, Ken Rockwell, etc), the Nikon D700 seemed better. So even though I love and own a Canon, I think you made the right decision. I would have done the same.

[sharon]

None of those are in my budget. Unless I decide not to pay the mortgage for a few months. Ah well, something having less is easier. ;) Enjoy your camera!

[Melanie]

I am glad that you are now a Nikon girl although I have the D40 and not the mac daddy like you:) I really don't care what camera you love because I just love YOU & your photos. I am excited that you will be talking about lens because that is where I am at. Trying to decide what to buy. I am looking forward to your online class (since I loved your one day class) but I think that I will be waiting a while since I am #400 and something on the list:( Hope Ross did well on his test. Can't wait until your next post. Your favorite stalker:)

[Tracy]

I agree with Nancy...your talent is amazing and inspiring. The camera "brand" really doesn't matter. Thank you for all the information though. Something to hang on to as I practice and learn with my Canon, maybe one day I to will switch to Nikon but for now I am thrilled to shot with my new Canon and my 50mm lens. I used it this past week at our schools musical and thank you, thank you for all you taught us in class...I have some awesome pictures...even in low light. YEAH!!

[Robertprins@shaw.ca]

Way to go Karen!
I switched to the D300 last year for the speed of autofocusing and the speed of shooting (6fps) and have been so happy. No more missed kid moments and all the shots are tack sharp. I have the 18-200mm and the 50mm 1.4 and both are stellar. I hope to go full frame or maybe the new D400 when it is shown next week. I have never commented on your blog, but I visit it daily to see you photos which I love. Thank you for all you do, it is very inspirational when I am in a photo rut! I hope to take your class someday.

[amy]

congratulations, karen! i hope ross made out well today. thanks for posting this info. i have the d700 and love it! i am excited that you have it now too, as i hope to learn more from you. once you have played around with it for a bit, could you consider posting some of your settings to share. i always like to hear other ways of doing things. best of luck!

[Michelle]

Thanks, Karen, for this excellent summary. I'm on the low end with a Canon XSi and just love it (for now), but I am keeping my lens investment minimal. Let me just say as a reminder to all (some who have said they are discouraged) is that Canon and Nikon CONTINUALLY leap frog each other in all these categories. In 5 years the scene will change again, it's the way of the business. Just having an SLR to begin with is what I consider a wonderful thing! Just my two cents. Thanks again, Karen, love how this is so simply stated. =)

[ly110]

Looking for an upgrade from our old Canon 10D, my husband and I went to the camera store intending to test out the 50D. However they didn't have it in stock so the sales person let us try the Canon 40D, Nikon D300 and the D700. I came home that night and could not get the D700 out of the my mind. We were in denial and debated against getting it because we both love the colors that Canon cameras produce. However like you, the superior autofocusing system was what hooked us in, the images from the D700 were so sharp and clear and their 3D focus tracking system is a dream! You see with 3 super active little kids and catching them in candid moments is a priority for us. It's been two months now with the D700 and absolutely no regrets!

[Suzi]

Hi Karen!
I wanted to just say that I've always enjoyed your pictures; I've also always enjoyed your love of photography and equipment; and your ability to take all of that information and share it in such a way that makes it enjoyable to so many people. Clearly, this hasn't changed as I've just read through all of your wonderfully shared information and enjoyed it still. I wish you all the best with your new equipment - You deserve it! :) And thank you again for sharing your thoughts and research findings. I think you are smart, patient, and kind for doing it all in such a public way. Thank you for sharing so much of your work with me/us.

[Casey Moore]

Wow! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge! I am contintually inspired by you and your talent. You are too kind to post all of this helpful information! I hope you enjoy your new camera and I look forward to seeing more awesome shots from it! THANK YOU!!

[Cindy Welch]

Well said