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Nikon D40 or Canon Digital Rebel XTi?

xanis

xanis

Lifer
I know there have probably been a billion of these threads already, but I wanted to get some quick input. I've been shopping for a DSLR for a while now and I think I have it narrowed down to two: the Nikon D40 and the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi. From what I've read and seen, these are the two main choices for amateur photographers. My girlfriend has a D40 (which I've used) and I like it, but the higher resolution of the XTi is kind of drawing me in. Will I notice a difference in quality between 6 and 8 megapixels, and is it even worth worrying about? The thing that I don't like about the XTi is that it uses CF cards, which I have no experience with, so I'm not sure how good they are. Battery life is important as well. I don't want to get a camera that eats batteries up really fast. So bottom line is, which one would be better? I'm going to be doing mainly urban landscapes and some people shooting, if that makes a difference. Thanks!
 
I wouldn't worry about battery life of DSLR camera too much, for they're generally not battery like P&S cameras are. If your girlfriend already has a D40 then I would go with a D40, reason being is you could swap lenses where you couldn't with a Canon. However, not taking that into count I personally would go with a Canon, but both are fine cameras.
 
don't worry about memory type so much, and don't worry about resolution

i like the interface and ergonomics of nikon, but canon handles high iso better

i went nikon, because i don't do a lot of high ISO shooting

if you can afford it, get a d80 instead though
the d40 won't autofocus anything other than the AFS lenses - that may not be an issue for you though
 
If you gf already has lenses, it would be cheaper for you. It really comes down to personal preferences and what button setup you like the best. I had the same dilemma and went with the XTi and have very much enjoyed it.
 
sounds to me like you're comparing the D40 to the XT (6 mp vs. 8 mp).

you'll notice a quality difference at 100% on your computer monitor maybe. in prints, not likely.

battery life on my xti seems better than on the compact S40 that uses the same battery.


CF cards are awesome.
 
the battery life on the xti is pretty good. i think i took almost 370 shots before my battery went kaput on me.

i went with the xti because i've used canon cameras since i've started owning cameras...
 
My Digital Rebel XTi runs for about 2 months at a time (we take probably 400-600 shots in that time, some with flash, some without) on the standard battery that comes with it (which is rechargable)... we've probably recharged it say..3-4 times since we've had the camera..

We had always used SD cards and I was disappointed that the Canon used CF cards... but since having it it's been great... camera response is wonderful since it has it's own internal memory which allows it to take multiple shots at a time and write them to the card without slowing down shooting..
 
Originally posted by: Shimmishim
the battery life on the xti is pretty good. i think i took almost 370 shots before my battery went kaput on me.

i went with the xti because i've used canon cameras since i've started owning cameras...
Click to expand...

I have the battery grip with the long life SterlingTek batteries and I can take 1,000 pictures easily before I have to charge them.
 
Thanks for all of the advice guys. I'm going to do some price shopping and see which one I can get cheaper. I think I'm going to go for the XTi unless I can get the D40 for a lot cheaper.
 
Try holding both in your hand; seeing which one feels better ergonomically...which viewfinder helps you compose your shots better...which menu system lets you access important settings faster.

Those things matter more than megapixels.

D40 kit should be about $200 less than an XTi kit.
 
Originally posted by: jpeyton
Try holding both in your hand; seeing which one feels better ergonomically...which viewfinder helps you compose your shots better...which menu system lets you access important settings faster.

Those things matter more than megapixels.

D40 kit should be about $200 less than an XTi kit.
Click to expand...

thats why I bought the d80
i was sold on the specs and price of the XTi...but then i held it and tried to use its interface
it was like a chinese finger trap compared to the d80

the d40 isn't as comfy as the d80, but its still more comfortable than the xti (IMO)

 
Eh, I enjoy my D50. It's the predecessor and sorta superior to the D40, as it can autofocus with older lenses.

Personally, I prefer the control scheme and ergonomics of the Nikon cameras. The D40 feels more solid in your hand than an XTi, even though it's smaller and cheaper. And since both you and your girlfriend would have Nikons, that what I would get. You'd be able to share lenses and flashes.

Usually, just like me, people feel that the camera system that they started with is the best (though I've never heard of someone switching from Nikon to Canon in the last 20 years). In all unbiased (read: by the numbers) tests, however, Canon and Nikon are equivalent.

The school newspaper I shoot for is switching to Canon, but that's only because all the senior editors have Canons as personal cameras, and want to be able to buy the expensive superteles with the organization's money. They have $20k of Nikon stuff, and even with the D3 coming out, they're selling it all and buying used Canon equipment for the rest of the year. It makes me sad. Don't get me wrong, the used 1D MkII that they bought is a fine piece of machinery, but the D3 would eclipse anything that they have (a pair of D2H and some old D1 stuff) or will get. And they already have a pair of 70-200/2.8 VR, a 300/2.8, 400/2.8, 28-70/2.8, 17-35/2.8, and all the other stuff to go with them. Gah, I'll try and buy some of it at insider prices, but still, why switch to used Canon equipment when you could get a pair of D3 for the same amount of money?
 
I love the way the Nikon feels in the hand. Solid as a rock. User interface is also very nice. Like others have mentioned the XTi won me over though with the wider lens selection.

Either way you can't lose, both are awesome cameras and will make great pictures with the proper lenses. It's nice to have a win-win choice once in a while...
 
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