Who makes the finest quality digital SLR camera?

[evergreen]

I trust Canon overall as a solid brand, but have only used them for 35mm applications. I have been referred to Nikon by several photographers, and im finding myself lost with all the info,.

[camcat]

The finest quality? That would be Hassleblad. Not many people can afford them though. If you mean in terms of mainstream cameras the Canons and Nikons are all good, I like the Nikons myself.

[blackandwhite]

Check out the different systems. Both Canon and Nikon make good systems. However they differ in some ways. Figure out what type of photography your going to be doing and then choose the system that you can grow with.For instance. Canon has a very neat little macro lens which can fill the frame with a grain of rice. This lens is spendy and really needs the accessory flash system to make it work in most situations but if your into macro and have the money it's worth considering. Nikon bodies on the other hand are the best to be had for the money right now. More robust and water resistant than canons. Unless you plan on spending 5-7 grand on the body alone. Check out www.dpreview.com and read the reviews. Go to www.photo.net and visit the learning center. A lot of people have been hopping the fence between Nikon and Canon. Just remember that the grass is always greener on the other side and be happy with what you have purchased.

[blackandwhite]

Any good photographer will tell you to go to a store and hold the cameras in your hand.The cameras are comparable in quality. They both have strengths and weaknesses. I shoot with Nikon, but that's because I'm comfortable with their brand, and it feels solid when I take a picture. Go in, hold one, take a few test pics. You can get a good quality digital picture by finding a good quality lens, and learning HOW to use the camera. Good luck!

[blackandwhite]

I'm a Nikon shooter and have been for years. I just like the way their cameras consistantly "just fit" the photographer's hands and their controls just work. The optics are stunning and the results equally so.Here's a survey that bears viewing.http://www.jdpower.com/electronics/ratings/digital_camera/dslrI hope this is helpful.

[blackandwhite]

Canon and Nikon are two of the best brands. However the one digital SLR that I feel is the best one on the market right now is the Nikon D2X. It is very pricey too. The body alone costs $5000.One important factor to ALWAYS remember. The camera you choose is only the tool that is used to take your photos with. It takes the photographers own creative artistic eye and skills that makes a photograph a work of art.Just because you see someone on the street carrying a fancy camera does not mean that he/she is a great photographer. It only means that they have a really good job that allows them to afford that fancy camera.

[funnymom]

If you have got to this point, you might realize that there isn't a lot of difference. Both firms make high quality camera equipment - bodies, lenses and other accessories. It's going to be a bit like making the choice between a BMW and a Mercedes - more a matter of style and how the choices feel to you than significant major differences between the two makes.If you already have Canon 35mm equipment with EF lenses, you will be able to use those on the digital bodies. If you have earlier, FD mount equipment, there may be little cost advantage to staying with Canon, and choosing Nikon a more realistic choice for you.

[Snappers]

I like Nikon but I am Biased:D
I have a D70s and the features on it see so simple to use. It is easy to handle.

[ausdg2]

I friend of mine managers a very large camera house in Melbourne,he has being selling cameras for over 20 years now, he suggests that either Canon or Nikon if you want a good quality lense.

[jonrayner]

Like everyone else has said, you are best off holding them in a shop to get a 'feel' for one or the other. Unlike everyone else, I much preferred the feel of the Canon.

[jerryph]

"The Best" camera changes as new camreas are released and are bettered by the latest and greatest.

Right now the best camera on the market is the Nikon D3, but I doubt it will be "the best" for very long. Canon is releasing something in the near future that will trump it, and then Nikon will release something that will be better than the Canon again. It is a vicious circle and the money involved to play that that level is tens of thousands of dollars.

As mentioned, just a bare D3 body is in the $5000 range, and the 3 top lenses Nikon released are all about $2000 on average each (some more, some less. Nikon has a single $10,000 lens if your wallet is feeling a little too heavy for you!).

The real question you should be asking is... what is the BEST camera for YOUR needs and budget. ;) :)

[Snappers]

I think I'll have 3 :D:D

[jerryph]

I wanna do for a living what you do too, then... lol

[Snappers]

I think I would have to change profession if I were to have 3. (Mind you, If I wanted one, I would have to change profession!) Maybe change it to bank robbery or something like that:D

[brent-1986]

im not to sure weather to get a nikon d3 or a nikon d300 the only difference that is holding me back is the frame. the nikon d3 is full frame and the nikon d300 is 1.5 frames is the frames a big issue or not really thanks

[jerryph]

You have it backwards. The D3 is indeed a full frame, but there is a 1.5 CROP factor for the D300. The D3 has the bigger frame.

Do NOT choose a camera solely on crop factor. You choose it based on your needs. If you cannot answer that, its not time to purchase a camera. :)

Don't forget a budget for lenses too. A D3 will demand that you spend thousands for the BEST lenses on the market (unless you want the best camera and cheaper lenses that take away from the quality which would basically be silly).

[brent-1986]

i want to try and get into doing weddings, protraids, landscapes etc and i was wondering if the nikon d300 with the 1.5 frame is good enough for doing all the above. is it a biog issue that if you have an 11mm lenes it is actually a 16.5 mm if this is not a big issue i will go more for the nikon d300 thanks brent

[maff2008]

Sometimes people place the camera before the lens and that sometimes can be dangerous. No point buying a good cam and putting some bad glass on it. A lot of pro's believe the lens is more important than whats behind it to a certain degree. In a percentage question I would place it in favour of the glass 60% to the camera's 40% importance factor. Of course the flip side is don't put good glass on a poor camera. Nikon and Canon everytime and the best lens you could possibly afford.

[LensBaby]

"The Best" camera changes as new camreas are released and are bettered by the latest and greatest.

Right now the best camera on the market is the Nikon D3, but I doubt it will be "the best" for very long. Canon is releasing something in the near future that will trump it, and then Nikon will release something that will be better than the Canon again. It is a vicious circle and the money involved to play that that level is tens of thousands of dollars.

As mentioned, just a bare D3 body is in the $5000 range, and the 3 top lenses Nikon released are all about $2000 on average each (some more, some less. Nikon has a single $10,000 lens if your wallet is feeling a little too heavy for you!).

The real question you should be asking is... what is the BEST camera for YOUR needs and budget. ;) :)

I guess it is whatever camera, is in your price bracket, and fits well in your hands, feels comfortable, and you are happy with the results that you get with it.

I think Hasselblad has the top of the line "pro" cameras over Nikon, and Canon, but who can afford them??? National Geographic photographers, or a photographers for celebrities - MAYBE

[reval8r]

Canon & Nikon are the two big guns, but others are really good too. I love Pentax, but if I were shooting sporting events Pentax would not be my first choice. I would recommend going to the local camera store and spend some time with different cameras and finding the one that's comfortable to you. The best camera in the world will not make you a good photographer, but a good photographer can take a lesser camera and make good pictures.

[jerryph]

I think Hasselblad has the top of the line "pro" cameras over Nikon, and Canon, but who can afford them??? National Geographic photographers, or a photographers for celebrities - MAYBE

I think you are referring to MF or medium format cameras. These things are TANKS and go upwards of $35,000. I don't think this is what he was looking for... lol

As far as weddings... question for the OP... how long have you been shooting and why would you decide on THE MOST DIFFICULT and CHALLENGING scenario in your first outing as a professional? Why not start with easier things like portraiture, event photography, photojornalism and so on? I'm not saying that the others are not challenging, but **NONE** can beat the requirements of being a good wedding photographer.

[LensBaby]

Yeah I know, but I was giving me two sense. I had a Mamiya 645 AFD (it really wasn't a tank at all) but it was to expensive to get developed, and just a pain. It did take gorgeous photos though. My husband bought it for me as a gift, but I got rid of it, because I thought it was more trouble than anything. A guy in our camera club uses Hasselblad, but he sells his photos for a lot of $$$$ and he does great. I think Hasselblad rocks! I would never buy one, but I do like them.

[dadeh]

I too am biased and will say NIKON. I upgraded my D80 to the Nikon D700 and have had a life altering experience...........

[johnnya]

I agree. Go to your local camera store and ask to touch, hold and try a Canon and Nikon. Change up the lenses, take a few shots in the store. Heck...even ask if you and an employee can go outside and take a few shots. Take your memory card and ask if you can take the pictures home to view. I am sure they will be willing to do this if you are serious in the market to buy a new camera. HOWEVER...Don't let the sales person sway you. They may have staff contests going on and try and sway you to one brand. The only way is to try and compare and buy what feels right to you as the consumer. One other suggestion is to see if you can rent one of each for the day. Go out and take loads of pics. Then tell them if you buy one or the other from them that you would like the money of the rentals applied to your purchase. Cameras are expensive and require lots of homework to be done before buying.
I am going out today with a friend that owns a Nikon D80 and tomorrow with a friend that owns a Canon??? Cant remember but the two cameras are competition to each other.