Noras,.
Both cameras are excellent. I would add Pentax K10D, Sony A100 and Canon Digital rebel too. Nikon and Canon has longest list of compativle lenses. Pentax old used lenses are superior too. I'm Minolta fan and still didn't regret..
They all are GREAT. Each can produce astonishing images when using great lenses and handled properly.http://www.stan-pustylnik.smugmug.com..
And what about Olympus lenses?.
I can get a lot of other manufacturer lenses for Nikon but not for Olympus?If I buy Nikon I just know that I can use lenses on next models..
But Olympus is with 4:3 system, which in my opinion is not for a long as sensor is smaller..
And also size matters:.
Both nikon and olympus feels good in the my hands not the same with Canon 400 and Pentax 100..
I would not be so sure with Nikon..
Unlike previous Nikon DSLRs, the D40 (announced last November) doesn't include a focus motor in the camera body - saving some cost, weight, and size, but dropping compatibility for some lenses that lack a focus motor in the lens. The D40x (announced in early March) is based on the D40 and shares this design decision, so the list of lenses published by Sigma should also be applicable to Nikon D40x users..
As you can see I have the Oly so I am biased and I will state that up front..
To me the primary consideration would first be Image Stab and second Live View.
The 510 has both the D80 has neither. The D80 is also more expensive and almost 1/2 a pound heavier. Now that I have IS in the camera I will not have another without it. Yes you can get IS in the lenses with NIKON but you will pay a premium price for every lens that has it. Also more lenses are coming out for the OLY both by Olympus but also by Sigma and Leica. Tameron is supposed to be evaluating the 4/3 mount according to some things I read as well..
My recommendation is obviously the OLY. However here is a side by side comparison from DPreview..
Http://www.dpreview.com/...side&cameras=nikon_d80%2Coly_e510&show=all.
MaddogOlympus E-500, Olympus E-510..
Why not take 30 minutes and read the zillion of other just about identical threads here?Don't wait for the Nikon D-whatever, have fun now!http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/..
Noras wrote:.
And also size matters:both nikon and olympus feels good in the my hands not the same withCanon 400 and Pentax 100.
Well you've covered half of the basic advice I used to give (next I'd suggest the one you're not afraid to drop if you are afraid, who knows what opportunities you'd miss.).
Seriously narrow your choices between the Nikon and Olympus right now because you like the feel of the camera in your hand. Which one appears easier to use? Buy that one. And if it's the Olympus (haven't dealt with them) don't worry about lens availability. The four-thirds system is relatively new but third-party lenses are appearing..
'Nice pen, bet you write good stories with it.'..
I spent a lot of time trying to decide what cam to by, once I tried the Canon E400 I knew to my surprise it was not going to be the canon..
The key is any SLRs will give you great results if used correctly and to use the camera correctly it has to fell good in the hand and around your neck when carrying it..
In the end I bought an Olympus E330, feels good in my large hands and was at a good price - in the UK it can now be bought with the 14-45 lens for under 300..
Airshow photos on a budgethttp://forums.dpreview.com/...forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=23812464http://forums.dpreview.com/...forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=23818471.
Low-light landscapes on a budgethttp://forums.dpreview.com/...forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=22096887http://forums.dpreview.com/...forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=21801041.
If the site search feature is down - and it usually is - you can always do an advanced search on Google for results from domain http://forums.dpreview.com..