I like Nikon's feel more then the Canon. Nikon feels like it could take a drop, Canon feels like if you grip it too tight it might fall part..

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1. Yes. Given your price range, Olympus E500 with twin kit lens will be bang for the bucks. Oly kit lenses are sharper than other consumer kit lenses..

2. Else consider K100D, which has in-body I.S. Kit lens is also tad better than those on XT/D40..

3. Among the two, I would go for D40, as it has AF assist lamp (helpful in flash-free indoor portrait shoots) and also ISO3200 option..

R Valentino wrote:.

Gene.

Keep smiling, Ajayhttp://picasaweb.google.com/ajay0612(Thanks for your precious time & invaluable comments)..

Do you still have any Nikon lenses?.

If you do, you would be well to consider the D40... great camera..

If not, go with the one that fits you hand and 'feels' right... try other brands as well... if it had been available when I got into the camera game, I would have looked long and hard at the Oly E410 and a couple fast zooms (the good ones) for the small and light factor..

Cheers,S.**My XT IS Full Frame APS-C/FF of course!*****So is my 5D 35mm/FF**..

Im experiencing the same 'problem'. D40, K100D or the E-500 double zoom kit (for an extra cash)..

The D40 has the best image quality but no IS which could cause some issues. I was very tempted by the K100D but I ran into the Olympus offer. Tough one...

Having nikon lenses and buying the D40 could very well mean you can't autofocus with them. 60% of the Nikon lenses ary manual focus only on the d40. except for a few expensive Sigma lenses no third party lenses will autofocus on the D40..

I would go for the Pentax k100d. Same CCD, same very good image quality, but much more usefull features such as in body image stabilisation, extra LCD on top of the camera, 11 point AF, better kitlens (www.photozone.de). etc..

Second choise would be the Oly 500. What it lacks the image stabilistation, but better value than the Canon and D40..

I am also looking at these two, as tomorrow I am helping a friend by a dslr. So here is my summary of issues....

1. At the 'cheaper' end of the range, Nikon zoom lenses seem very good - so great on the wallet if you do not want to spend loads to get decent lenses..

2. BUT the Nikon only has Autofocus with AF-S lenses, so if you plan to buy prime lenses in the future your choices will be compromised..

2. Handling - will always be a personal preference, so try both. The Canon might be better for smaller hands..

3. Build - both very solidly buit. The Canon's may 'seem' lighter but they are incredibly tough and solid..

4. High ISO - Canon is better, in my opinion..

5. IQ - Both are excellent..

6. Nikon has built in help menus. Not sure how good it is, but might be very helpful for a beginner..

7. Canon has sensor cleaning..

If he cannot decide, I'll recommend the D40x with 18-135 lens, mainly because for his budget (c500) the canon lens options are not as good..

If he intended to expand his photography and buy more lens and become more creative I would have recommended the Canon, but he is not. He just wants a camera to help him take great pics of his family as they grow up..

I also looked at, and discounted the pentax k100D, olympus e510 and the sony alpha 100...

The Canon XT is the better of those two cameras more pixels for giant enlargements and better autofocus..

But, the D40X and the REbel XTi are both better cameras than the models you note, and worth the extra money..

Coin flip between them, exc ept for the added focus points of the XTi and the ability to use any Canon autofocus lens, whereas the Nikon only takes some but not all Nikon autofocus lenses. (lenses must have a motor int hem for the D40X)BAK..

BAK wrote:.

The Canon XT is the better of those two cameras more pixels forgiant enlargements and better autofocus..

Another person that thinks "more pixels = better pictures".

The Canon has a smaller sensor then the Nikon so the noise will be worst on the Canon, More pixels crammed into a smaller area means more noise..

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Mirc wrote:.

Hi,I am looking to buy my first digital SLR camera. I learnedphotography on a manual Nikon FM2 and want to switch to digital. Myprice range for the entire package is about $600. I basicallynarrowed it down to these two i.e. the Nikon D40 and Canon Rebel XTsince they seem to be the best in this price range- which camera dopeople recommend?.

I am relatively beginner - I use the camera to shoot on the streetwhile exploring new cities, to take portraits and for familyfunctions. I need a lens that has a decent range but nothing major. Iam a bit lost at which one to buy.Thanks!Miriam.

Ron_M..

I have shot the XT and XT. They are snappy cameras but the odd punchiness of the photos turns me off. They are also a bit noisy once you hit ISO 400 on up compared to the 6MP cameras..

The D40 is too limited with what lenses you can use and the lack of top panel LCD makes it difficult to use and grow with. The K100D adds AS, better usability and better lens compatability. IMHO, the lack of noise reduction makes the photos look better, especially as the ISO goes up..

It really depends on what you like in your camera and photos. I actually bought a 20D as a gift and bought a Pentax for myself...

Gary0001 wrote:.

BAK wrote:.

The Canon XT is the better of those two cameras more pixels forgiant enlargements and better autofocus..

Another person that thinks "more pixels = better pictures"The Canon has a smaller sensor then the Nikon so the noise will beworst on the Canon, More pixels crammed into a smaller area meansmore noise..

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I have to disagree..

You quoted what he said - he never said 'more pixels = better pictures' as you claim..

Also the Canon and Nikon have different sensors with different sensor technology, so more MP does not automatically mean more noise..

In fact the Canon actually has better noise performance over all. It also has better performance where it counts most - at high ISO...

Nikon has a bigger sensor so physics must be wrong, I guess when Canon has a smaller sensor people still think it's superior..

SMALLER PIXELS MEANS LESS LIGHT COLLECTED..

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Gary0001 wrote:.

Nikon has a bigger sensor so physics must be wrong, I guess whenCanon has a smaller sensor people still think it's superior..

SMALLER PIXELS MEANS LESS LIGHT COLLECTED..

True, unless you have a 'smarter' sensor which can compensate for the light lost....

Overall, i'd give nikon a slight edge over canon..

Therefore, you should get a nikon d40 for that matter. I might be biased but fair. ;_) right?..