Camera & Lens Recommendations

I have done camera reviews in the past here but since there's been lots of new cameras introduced since I did my last review, I figured it was time to update my recommendations...

I really recommend purchasing a camera you can ‘grow into’ (as opposed to purchasing a camera that you will grow out of.) therefore, I recommend a digital SLR (single lens reflex).  Technically, an SLR camera is a camera that uses the same lens to shoot and view your pictures.  (A mirror inside the camera reflects the image from the lens to the viewfinder.) But you don’t even really need to know that.

More important to you, a digital SLR gives you maximum creative control by allowing you to make manual adjustments, control exposure and use interchange lenses. 

In reviewing the following cameras, I am going to compare only Canon & Nikon cameras in similar price ranges (since these are the two camera brands I have the most experience with), primarily based on what I think are the two most important features in a camera; their focusing systems (the more autofocus points a camera has, particularly ‘cross-sensor’ autofocus points, the more quickly and precisely your camera will focus) and the cameras maximum ISO setting (the higher the number, the more successfully you can shoot in low light situations without a flash). I will not be noting the megapixels on any of these cameras because they’re all over 10 megapixels (and unless you’re enlarging your images to create a wall-sized mural, you don’t need anything over 10 megapixels). I will also only be covering newer model cameras under $3000.

Please don't send me hate mail if I don't recommend your favorite camera and please keep in mind that much of this is simply my opinion.

Nikon D5000 vs. Canon Rebel T1i
You can pick up the Nikon D5000 for $630 (body only). It has eleven autofocus points with one of those being a cross-sensor and its maximum ISO is 6400. This camera also offers video. You can also pick up lesser expensive Nikons; the D60 and D3000 but the D5000 is a much better camera.

I do want to mention that the Nikon D40, D40X, D60, D3000 and D5000 do not have autofocus motors built into them. Because of this, they can only autofocus when used with lenses that have an autofocus motor built into the lens. These types of Nikon lenses are marked with the letters 'AF-S’. You can also use some off-brand lenses such as Sigma and Tamron on these cameras as long as they have an autofocus motor built into the lens.

You can pick up the newest Canon Digital Rebel, the Rebel T1i for $620 (body only). It has nine autofocus points with one of those being a cross-sensor and its maximum ISO is 12,800.  This camera also offers video. Note that you can purchase older model Canon Rebels for less money and while most of these older models have similar autofocusing systems, none of them offer ISO’s any higher than 1600 or video.

I think the Nikon D5000 and the Canon Rebel T1i are pretty comparable cameras. The Rebel has a higher maximum ISO which is nice but Nikons traditionally have better autofocus systems.

Nikon D90 vs. Canon 50D
The Nikon D90 is about $790 (body only). This camera has 11 autofocus points, one of those being a cross-sensor and its maximum ISO is 6400. This camera also offers video. You can also pick up the older Nikon D80 for less money though it does not offer video and has a lower maximum ISO of 3200.

The Canon 50D runs about $940 (body only). It has nine autofocus points with all of them being cross-sensors and its maximum ISO is 12,800. You can also pick up the Canon 40D for less money. It has the same autofocus system but its maximum ISO is only 3200.

Here, I’d go with the 50D because it’s got more cross-sensor autofocus points and a higher maximum ISO.

Nikon D300S vs. Canon 7D
This is where Nikons amazing focusing system really comes in for $1700 (body only). The Nikon D300S has 51 autofocus points (yes, 51!!!!!!!!) with 15 of those being cross-sensors. The maximum ISO in the D300S is 6400. This camera also offers video. You can also pick up the older Nikon D300 (without video) for much cheaper.

The Canon 7D runs about $1700 also (body only). Canon really stepped up their focusing system with this camera with 19 autofocus points, all of them being cross-sensors. This camera offers video and a maximum ISO of 12,800.

Again, Canon has Nikon beat with its maximum ISO but you just can’t beat the focusing system of the Nikon D300S.

Nikon D700 vs. Canon 5D Mark II (full frame cameras)
You can pick up the Nikon D700 (this is the camera I currently shoot with) for about $2400. It has 51 autofocus points with 15 of those being cross-sensors and a maximum ISO of 25,600 (amazing). This is a full frame camera.

The Canon 5D Mark II runs about $2700 (this is the camera I used to have). This camera has 9 autofocus points with one of those being a cross-sensor and 6 assist points. Its maximum ISO is 25,600. This is also a full frame camera.

Again, I’d go with Nikon here due to the much superior autofocus system.

I really, really (really) recommend purchasing your camera body and lenses separately. A lot of cameras come in a kit, (meaning you get the camera body and a lens or two.) Unfortunately, the lenses that come in kits are typically manufactured with cost in mind, not quality.  A lot of salespeople will try to talk you into the kit and they’ll talk your husband into it, too, and then you’ll feel like you have no choice but to purchase the dang kit…but don’t succumb to the pressure. (Just say NO to the kit.)

Which lens to use is a HUGE discussion so I'll just touch on my recommendations briefly...

For indoor and low light shooting, nothing beats a 50mm lens in my opinion.  You can pick up the following 50mm lenses:

- 50mm f1.8 (Canon $100/Nikon $120.  This is a great lens for the price but if you can swing the price of the 50mm f1.4, you'll find that it focuses quicker and sharper and produces better color.)

- 50mm f1.4 (Canon $350/Nikon $300 for the 50mm f1.4D and $430 for the 50mm f1.4G AF-S.  The Nikon 50mm f1.4G AF-S is a MUCH higher quality lens than the 50mm f1.4D and is worth the extra expense.  In addition, the Nikon 50mm f1.4G AF-S has an autofocus motor built into it, making it the ONLY 50mm lens that will autofocus on the Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D3000 and D5000.)

- 50mm f1.2 (Canon $1500/Nikon does not make this lens.  This is a great lens but is ridiculously priced and is overkill in my opinion for anyone who's not shooting professionally and anyone who is working on a budget.)

The 50mm lens is also a great 'everyday' lens and can be really great for portraiture too (if you're NOT using it on a full frame camera).  If I could only OWN one lens, this would be it.  Keep in mind that this lens does NOT 'zoom'...you are the 'zoom'.  Walk forward to 'zoom in' and walk backwards to 'zoom out.'

If you shoot in a lot of cramped situations though, you might actually like one of these lenses BETTER than the 50mm:

- Canon 28mm f1.8 ($450.  Canon makes more expensive lenses that are similar, like the 24mm f1.4 and the 35mm f1.4 but they're really spendy.)  This lens does not 'zoom.'

- Nikon 35mm f1.8 ($200.  This lens will NOT work correctly on Full Frame cameras like the Nikon D700, Nikon D3, D3x or the D3s.)  This lens does not 'zoom.'

For outdoor, everyday shooting, I recommend a zoom lens like the 24-70mm f2.8.  (Tamron makes a REALLY high quality version of this lens at the most affordable price, the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 for about $450 - this is the ONLY lens I owned for 3+ years and I think it's wonderful.  Canon and Nikon have much more expensive versions of this lens; Canon $1400/Nikon $1800.)

For sports, recitals, theater (and any other subject that is far away from you while shooting), I recommend the 70-200mm f2.8.  (Unfortunately, this is an EXPENSIVE lens and a very HEAVY lens, therefore, you want to put a lot of thought into whether or not this is the right lens for you - maybe even trying it out at a camera shop.  Again, Tamron makes the cheapest version of it, the Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 for about $750 and both Canon and Nikon make more expensive versions of this lens that are closer to $1700.)

For portraits, the 50mm lens I mentioned earlier is a great lens (unless you're using it on a Full Frame camera) and so is an 85mm lens (these lenses create some of the most beautiful images you'll ever see).

- 85mm f1.8 (Canon $440/Nikon $450)  This lens does not 'zoom.'

- 85mm f1.4 (Nikon $1230)  This lens does not 'zoom.'

- 85mm f1.2 (Canon $2000)  This lens does not 'zoom.'

And I can't post without a picture...

Took this one a few days before Christmas.  (I'm starting to give up on the notion of ever getting all my Christmas shots edited.)

Comments

[Tonya Dirk]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!!!!

[ally]

could you explain what you mean by cross processed with the auto focus in these camera??? Totally lost me there. lol
Thanks for the review.

[Kelli]

I love seeing Annie with her babies! She is looking so tenderly at her.

[chris]

What about Olympus and Pentax? - they have awesome values and features. Olympus lenses can't be beat! The new Pentax k-x is feature-packed and excellent in low-light. Canon and Nikon are OK, however most people overlook the other brands and when doing so, they might be missing out on a great camera which will really spark their creativity. The build of the Olympus cameras, especially the more entry-level ones, hearkens back to the days of the film SLR (think - everyone's favorite, the Pentax K1000, with a balanced body on each side of the lens). Mentioning the older models of Nikon, while adequate, is inviting newcomers to explore old technology and there have been such in-camera advances in the last year alone, that it doesn't seem worth it to go back to these older models. Oh, forgot to mention, in Olympus and Pentax you get in-body IS, while in Canikon, you have it in the lenses. Something to consider....

[Lori]

Just got a 5DMII for Christmas. So far I've been using the 50 1.4 constantly. I thought this would be a good portrait lens but if I read the post correctly you're recommending the 85. I thought the 50 on my 50D was too tight in the house so I bought a 35 and now I like the 50 on the 5DMII for composition. Will the 85 make a big difference and in what situation? (I hope that all made sense!) Thanks!

[EBPitcher]

I second the request for explanation of the term "cross-sensors".

I'm a Sony girl (and recognized after the fact that I was in the minority) and shoot with the a700. I agree that the 50 f/1.4 is a spectacular bang for the buck. And I just got my Tamrom 28-75 f/2.8 and totally LOVE it. Best investment for my developing obsession with natural light shots.

And just out of curiosity, what were your settings on the precious photo of Annie?

[Libbi M.]

awesome post! thanks for taking the time to do this. loved yesterday's post. how did you get such an awesome job shooting for a catalog? would love to know. thanks again for all you do.

[Melissa Stinson]

Great post, Karen, thank you!!

I just wanted to point out really quick that both Nikon and Canon make a 35mm f2.0 lens that is compatible with full-frame cameras, so those that have one and are considering a 35mm lens might look at it. I have one for my (non-full-frame) D300 (where it's approximately a 50mm equivalent) and I love it.

[Tracy]

Thanks for all of the camera recommendations, etc. However, that picture of Annie with her baby doll is just too adorable for words - I LOVE IT! :O)

[Jennifer M.]

I just got the Canon 50D for Christmas and so far I love it. I have the 50mm 1.4 lens, but I think I'd like to get the 24-70mm next. Seems like a good, all around lens to own.

[nancy in ks]

Hi KR,

Sometime, could you do a post about your change from Canon to Nikon? Did it take a long time to get used to the different brand? Do you have any nostalgia for the Canons?

Thanks for this update.

NB

[Jean Shen]

Love this post! Thanks for the recommendations.

[lauren]

thank you very, very much for this post, karen!! super helpful!! :)
*

[julip]

Karen,
Thanks for your comment on my blog....I have gotten some beautiful images with the 50mm 1.2. I've seen what you and others could do with it. I never felt that I was getting many quality shots with it.
I've had it for 6 months and have read and re-read the focusing lessons from class many times. My photographer friend who also has that lens gave me some suggestions for using it. I never felt I was getting a sharp focus with it. Only about 1/15 shots was acceptable.
Anyhow, I did call Canon and talked to a tech person. I e-mailed her some images and she agreed, there may be a back focus problem with this copy. I'm sending it in tomorrow!
If only I could win the lottery so I could buy a whole Nikon set up and give that a try too, life would be good!

[Janie La Pierre]

OMG, that is such a SWEET photo!

[Dina]

Thanks for the review! Love the picture of Annie and one of her babies.

[lee i]

Thanks for this post. My husband gifted me with a D90 last Christmas, and while I am happily grateful, he should have listened to me about the kit lens! So this post it very helpful for me to decide what lens to get next.

[Kate]

Hey Karen,
Thank you for the information. Can a person use a Nikon lense on a Canon camera? and vice versa? This may be a silly question but I really don't know. :)

[kat-in-texas]

Always find your recommendations so helpful.

Wish I had a few thousand to donate to the local camera store for some Nikon stuff. My first slr was a Nikon--still have it--took beautiful pics!

Thanks Nellie!!!

[Carla]

thanks Karen. I got the 50mm f1.8 according to your recommendations. I love it and my friends and family noticed the difference in quality right away!!

[Linda]

Wow, great information. Thank you. Also, I just have to tell you that I check your site everyday just to see the pictures of your children. Your youngest is quite comical!

[tanyawebster]

canon still rocks.....no matter what ;) LOL

[Tammy Mellish]

Just wanted to say THANK YOU! I tried to reply, but it bounced back. SO appreciated.. you and your time, your advice and guidance! I love all that above! And I'm REALLY excited to start shooting again!!!

[Leslie Parks]

Karen, I took your class about this time last year. I was glad to see another carmera critique. You stated that "Tamron makes the cheapest version of it, the Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 for about $750 and both Canon and Nikon make more expensive versions of this lens that are closer to $1700" I have a canon 75 - 300mm right now but it isn't a f2.8. I'd like to upgrade but am wondering if you thought that going with a canon lens again is worth the extra $1000. I've been saving for about a year now. Your recommendations have been great. Thank you so much.

[amy emery]

thank you! after buying a 50mm f1.4 based on your recommendations, taking your class, suffering when you went Nikon, getting Canon 50D for christmas '09 based on your last camera comparison post, i'm hoping you can review the lens choice again. i got a canon 16-35mm f2.8 lens (also for christmas), which i think in class you said was comparable to the 24-70mm f2.8 when figure in the crop factor. true? my photos are all candid everyday life, so hoping i made the right "next" lens choice. also helped me to just re-read this post and see that you said 50mm for indoor and 24-70mm for outdoor everyday. that will help me choose when to use what, especially trying to get used to new camera and new lens. thinking it might be time to retake your class!