Nikon D70 vs Canon 20d

I'm looking to purchase a new DSLR and can't decide between the D70 and the 20D. I would love any feedback if anyone has any - I truly want the 20D, b/c I think it's a better all around camera - but not sure about it in the underwater world. I also realize that the housing choices are way favoring the D70. I'm looking for the best (in that price range) setup right now and would love any responses you guys may have.

Thanks and Aloha

Bryce

When I first started looking, I was gonna buy the D70. But then Canon released the 20D and I found myself in the same dilemma you are currently in. I'm an dyed in the wool amateur photographer and a newbie to dSLRs. After a bit of research, I made a semi-informed decision and I bought the 20D.

The big selling points for me were the higher MP of the Canon and the faster autofocus. I know that 8.2MP isn't that much more than 6.1MP from a quality standpoint. I reasoned that when I finally get this beast underwater with a huge housing and strobes and then I have to look through the viewfinder my marginal composition skills will rapidly approach none. Higher MP means I'll be able to crop some of the picture out and keep the same effective resolution. The autofocus is pretty self explanatory, but its going to help me get that shot when I've got a thousand things going through my little head. After reading more on the D70 vs. 20D debate, I too feel that the 20D is a better camera, but that's only my opinion.

As far as housings are concerned, the 20D has only been out since December 2004. The manufacturers with the more popular housings already have offerings for the 20D: Subal, Aquatica, Ikelite, etc. This spans the range from the high end to the value end of housings.

Just my $.02,

Ken

Don't decide between two camera models. You are making a long term system choice.

The choice you should be thinking about is Canon V Nikon. By the time that you have bought all the lenses you want they will have cost well over what the camera cost and you will keep these through a number of cameras (hopefully).

The choice of housing is also a system choice as the ports and gears etc will cost as much as the housing.

If all you want is an underwater camera and you are neutral between Canon and Nikon then choose the housing brand you like best and fits your needs best. Then Pick the camera brand. Then model.

That way you will be best set for the long term.

Today Canon may have the best semi-pro camera, tomorrow it might be Nikon - who knows in a couple of years it might be Kodak. So don't choose on model because the best will continually change - and is pretty subjective anyway. In fact all the semi-pro DSLRs will do the job you want.

Thanks Guys. I feel like I'm beating a dead horse with this question as I'm sure it has been discussed a million times over - I'm just about to pull the trigger and was hoping for the crystal ball to answer everything for me!

HEY KEN - have you tried out your new housing? I'm leaning towards the aquatica as well over the Subal - I'd love your opinion if you've gotten it in the water yet

Thanks Again

Aloha

Bryce

Macro and dome ports should be delivered to me tomorrow along with the Sigma 50mm macro lens. I'm planning on getting it wet in the pool this weekend to test the seals and get a feel for how it handles in 4 feet or water. I can give you some prelimiary feedback then, but the housing probably won't see serious diving action until my trip to Dominica in early July. I keep telling myself its only two months away.... only two months away....

--Ken

I guess part of the answer depends on what else besides underwater will you be using the camera for. (Is there anything else besides underwater?). I chose Canon over Nikon because the 10D and D60 had PC connectors for studio strobes while the D100 didn't and in a class I was taking, the 10D made pictures that appeared nicer than the D100 did. Further, I shoot mostly macro and so the availability of wide angle lenses wasn't an issue. I guess the best thing is to go down to the camera store and shoot one of each, play with the handling and software and choose from that. But don't ignore the topside if you will be using the camera on land much, it might sway you one way or another.

You can't go wrong with either camera, both are great tools, I agree (sort of) that if you have a housing choice already then go with that.

Bill