Wendy, Rich is waaay correct. This is often like Mac vs. Windows. Most decide their digital direction based on their current equipment investment; this obviously doesn’t apply to you!
Anyone can make a line-by-line assessment, and trumpet that “their” brand is better. My unsolicited, formerly professional opinion, is that for your level of photography, and the cameras you’re considering, the choice is a wash. Canon, Nikon, you’ll be happy; either way you’ll feel that you got your money’s worth.
That was the short version. Here’s the long-winded explanation:
Nikon makes great glass (lenses); Canon makes great glass. The bodies are both well built and the feature sets are pretty similar. Performance is pretty similar, too. I know some will jump on this last statement, but it’s true. Both have strengths and weaknesses, and usually the performance difference is miniscule.
My prior paycheck came from a newspaper. Out of all of us (8 shooters), only one gal shot with Canon. Here’s my take on watching her cameras perform:
Our Nikons took a beating. Her Canons took a beating.
Our Nikkor glass was tack sharp. And expensive. Her Canon glass was tack sharp, and just as expensive.
The reliability of my Nikons was (and is) astonishing. Her Canons failed just as often, which is to say hardly ever.
NPS made sure I always had a camera. So did Canon.
Nikon parts and techs are everywhere. Canon parts and techs are a blight on the landscape.
What’s often lost is that digital cameras have a pretty short lifespan. Just look at how long ago the Rebel was a “new” camera…a year ago? One reason they are less expensive is they are further into their “life cycle” than the D70. This has nothing to do with its quality, just that there will be a new model coming down the road soon. For me, I assume digital cameras I buy will have a “lifespan” (before they are well outdated) of about 2 years.
This is not to say your new camera will up and die in 2 years; actually, one reason I said in the beginning that you’ll be happy (either way) is because both brands have made extensive efforts to standardize their equipment. This means you will be able to buy lenses (and parts) for your DSLR body far into the future.
There are many excellent reasons to pick a brand. Housing availability, TTL compatibility with strobes, etc. Price. My personal recommendation is to “work backwards”, i.e. pick the lens first, then the body; fit the port to the lens, and the housing comes along with the port.
Or perhaps you can get a screaming deal on a housing. Buy the camera to fit. These are all better reasons to choose a DSLR than simply what name is on the prism.
As you can tell, I shoot Nikon. As much yeoman service as I’ve had from them, though, I cannot in good conscience steer you to one or the other!
All the best, James
