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Nikon D80 vs Canon EOS 400D / Digital Rebel XTi
I am getting ready to purchase a DSLR camera. I am new to DSLR photography, but I intend to purchase a well made camera that I can grow into. No, I don't know all the features yet, no I am not a pro, so save the flames about how I should use an oatmeal box with a hole poked in it. These are the two I am looking at..

At first, I liked how the menus were arranged on the 400D, and I have small hands so I also liked how it felt and how the buttons were arranged. I was pretty set on it. The thing I did not like was the kit lens is very rough, it's like it has sand in the mechanism - but that may be because it is on display at my local Best Buy and does in fact have sand in it.  Some things I read have led me to be concerned about the integrated dust cleaning feature, that it somehow affects performance..

I was less excited about the feel of the D80, because the body does not fit well into my hand, it weighs a little more. One huge thing in favor of the D80 is that most of my friends are sporting Nikon's in the D70 or D80 model. I am willing to spend the 1300 for the D80 if there is clearly reason to do so, but I would love the advice of someone who has used both, if that is possible..

Thanks in advance.

I want to be able to take a wide variety of shots, some family stuff, but more nature, birds, insects, flowers, and cloud shots..

The lense I liked for the D80 was the DX 18 - 135 mm as a starter lens. The D80 is of course more expensive than the 400D, but the question is, which is better and why?..

Comments (6)

Strangely enough I would have put the D80 build quality and user ergonomics as a major reason to go with Nikon, however, given you have tried it out and found the 400D is more to your tastes I would say go with Canon..

Don't get me wrong, the D80 is a great camera, but really isn't offering much over and above the 400D in terms of performance, plus you get to lock in to Canon's great range of lenses..

Regards.

Steve..

Comment #1

Actually, the ergonomics of the 400D was better, but I'm not sure it's enough better when the D80 feels more solidly built. As I said, when I adjusted the lens, it was chunky, not smooth at all. I just didn't know if the 400D I handled at Best Buy was a fluke, or indicative of the actual performance..

Leilani.

******.

Strangely enough I would have put the D80 build quality and user ergonomics as a major reason to go with Nikon, however, given you have tried it out and found the 400D is more to your tastes I would say go with Canon..

Don't get me wrong, the D80 is a great camera, but really isn't offering much over and above the 400D in terms of performance, plus you get to lock in to Canon's great range of lenses..

Regards.

Steve..

Comment #2

I know the D80 and Canon are good cameras. I suggest however that you at least take a look at the Oly 510. Yes I know I am an Oly user so I show that right up front. However, it is a really great camera at a very good price with more features (excluding AF points) then either the canon or the nikon..

Many times the Oly is overlooked by beginners because of their (Oly's) lack of marketing and the because Nikon and Canon are so popular. Just a thought. I will say having had a camera without Image Stabalization and now having one with IS, I will not own another without it. It makes that much difference..

Good luck in your selection..

MaddogOlympus E-500, Olympus E-510..

Comment #3

I just recently (2 weeks ago) purchased the Canon EOS 400D after comparing it to the Nikon D80..

The cameras are very close in performance and specs though there seems to be consensus that the Canon outputs better images at higher ISO's than the Nikon..

Basically it came down to ergonomics, the viewfinder and price..

The Nikon felt better constructed and more stable in my hand out of the box, but with the Canon add-on grip I liked the Canon better, and the ability to add an additional battery is nice..

The Nikon viewfinder is nicer than the Canon but coming from a Minolta Dimage 7i and some point and shoots the Canon seems good enough..

The Nikon d80 kit was about $400 - $450 more than the 400D kit, which I'm sure is due to the better lens Nikon includes compared to the Canon. I read so much mixed reviews of the Canon lens I decided I'd figure it out myself..

Since I liked the feel of the Canon with the BE-3 grip better, and wanted an external flash I justified I could get the 400d kit, BE-3 grip, an extra battery, CF 2GB card, and 430ex flash for about the same price as the Nikon kit..

So far no regrets though all the posts in the Canon 300D/350D/400D forum about underexposure have me questioning my cameras exposure accuracy at this point...

Comment #4

MINE was a quaker oatmeal box. Must have been because I was in college at the time, and it was a low budget college at that.  Maybe thats why I still hate oatmeal?.

Ciao!..

Comment #5

I suppose the round style box would work..

But I won't accept this:.

Image control:Zoom outZoom 100%Zoom inExpand AllOpen in new window..

Comment #6


This question was taken from a support group/message board and re-posted here so others can learn from it.

 

 

 

 

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