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iii James iii
May 22nd 2008 edited
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Fredrik
May 22nd 2008
I don't own it, but it's the camera I will buy as my next one (unless Canon releases a 50D before that). It's great one and well worth the extra money over the 450D/XSi. The image quality is better, but that's not the main reason to buy it over the lower end cameras if you ask me. AF is faster, higher magnification in the viewfinder, handle higher ISO somewhat better, is much better built (Canon says the mirror has a life of 100.000 shots, where as the 450D - and the rest of the consumer bodies - has a life of 50.000). Those are obviously estimates and averages, but it gives you some idea.
The camera is also larger which I personally appreciate very much since I have large hands and my 350D/XT feels so tiny.
It's hard to give advice when I'm not sure what you're going to photograph, portraits, sports and landscape all requires different things from a camera. But all in all, it's a great camera with great value (depending on where you live, no idea how the deals are in Australia, but here in Europe the price difference between the 40D and the 450D is minimal). I'm sure you will be very pleased with this brilliant camera. -
Iceberg May 22nd 2008Is the Canon EoS 40D better suited for beginners than, let's say, a Nikon D40 or D60?
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Fredrik
May 22nd 2008 edited
First of all, my personal advice for people that are interested in getting a DSLR camera is to choose between Nikon and Canon. I ignore the other companies since I just don't think their products match their price or don't deliver what I would require of a camera.
Most people that are getting their first DSLR camera sees the camera as the big investment and want help to pick the best camera. If you're happy with the kit lens and maybe one more cheap lens then this is an okay approach to the problem. People that have the slightest interest and intent to get better gear, most of all better lenses, should not look at the camera as the big investment. As I wrote in the Lens article, a camera will most likely be replaced every 3 years or so (electronics wear out and the mirror takes a big hit, and prices go down so rapidly it's worth upgrading every now and again).However the lenses you purchase (if they are of somewhat good quality) will last much longer, most good lenses should last as long as you live basically.
Selecting Nikon or Canon is a personal choice, they are both great companies and the quality is comparable. Nikon's D40 should not be compared to the Canon 40D, it's more equivalent to Canon's entry-level cameras like the 450D (Digital Rebel XSi). Nikon has some weird way of naming their cameras so it's a bit confusing, but I think the D80 is more comparable or even the D200 or D300, but they are a bit more expensive.
For a beginner that's just starting out Nikon and Canon's entry-level cameras (currently the D40 and D60 on Nikon's side and 450D/Digital Rebel XSi on Canon's side) will do just fine - these cameras are more than enough for beginners and many hobbyists. The camera I have is an earlier version of Canon's entry-level, the 350D/Digital Rebel XT, and it's a brilliant camera. I love it, but as I said earlier my next purchase will be one step up the ladder to the semi-pro level since I feel I would benefit from its features.
Sorry for the long post, seems I always end up writing long segments when I write about cameras... anyway, I hope you've gotten some information out of this mass of text and if you want more help just let me know and I'll see what I can do. -
Iceberg May 22nd 2008Thank you so much Fredrik! I'm planning on getting a decent beginner camera this summer so I'll check out the cameras you suggested. I appreciate your insight.
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antOnwoOds
May 22nd 2008
Fredrik thanks alot, i was kind of having trouble aswell trying to figure out which camera would be appropiate for a beginner! You should maybe do a write up regarding "Camera Choice" with the positives and flaws :) would be really interesting.
Thanks again :) -
iii James iii
May 23rd 2008
Great advice Fredrik, I will most definitely purchase the 40D as I am making a trip to Singapore shortly.
I have a guy there :) -
MikeWilson
May 26th 2008
The XSi where I work is only about $999.99 CDN, and that's about market entry level for med sized sensors, if you wanted a Full size sensor = you get the MP level it says, you have to spend the big bucks, if you're just an amateur, go for something like the Nikon D80 (it's what I have), if you're looking to do some professional stuff (not saying you can't with a lower end camera, but it's way better to have all that quality and special features) save your pennies and grab a good full featured camera. -
Fredrik
May 27th 2008
Mike, not sure I understand you... I've used the Nikon D70s (which was replaced by the D80) extensively and I found it to be pretty much on the same level as my Canon 350D on every level. The XSi (450D) is a full featured camera, all Canon and Nikon DSLR's should be considered "full-feature" as you say, I mean obviously the professional cameras will have features the low end doesn't have, but those are mostly features a non-professional would never use.
Buying a entry level/low end camera doesn't mean it's not a great camera. I mean I've been using Canon's 3 year old entry level (350D/XT) now almost 3 years and I have taken some amazing photograph and I'm very pleased with it. Just making sure that beginners/armatures doesn't feel like an entry-level camera is a bad camera, it's not — all of Nikon and Canon's current models are surprisingly great cameras.
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Anybody own one?