Canon 550D Vs Nikon D5000

Acid0

Acid0

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Hi guys

What is your take on these two. i am leaning to the Canon but I have mixed reviews now and am a bit uncertian.

I would like to hear from the more profesionals and the people that have either these cameras.

Would these two be a good starter camera for a beginner.
I would like to get either one for my personal use and not to worry to upgrade for the next two years hopefully.

All info much apreciated.
 
In this case the canon. Without a doubt.
 
550D has great features for the price, with the same sensor as one of the prosumer models.

D5000 twin lens kit gives you an 18-55 and 55-200 for the ± price of the 550D with 18-55. Something to take into consideration.

Have you felt both in your hands?
 
Yes I have hold both and they felt both nice.

But my gut leans to the Canon
 
PostmanPot said:
D5000 twin lens kit gives you an 18-55 and 55-200 for the ± price of the 550D with 18-55. Something to take into consideration.
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If I got the 550D I probably wouldn't be satisfied with throwing mediocre glass in front of it, particularly if video interested me.
Acid0 said:
Yes I have hold both and they felt both nice.

But my gut leans to the Canon
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If you look at the specs there's no wonder that people consider the 550D to be the 7D's baby brother. If either of my point and shoots (aka my 400D's :)) failed tomorrow I'd get a 550D to replace it in a heartbeat. I think you'll still be more than happy with it a couple of years down the line.
 
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PostmanPot said:
But you are a pro. ;)
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Yep, but you don't need to be one to see the problems that tend to arise from kit lenses - flaring, vignetting, barrel distortion are all commonplace.

You also don't need to be a pro to appreciate inexpensive quality glass like a 50mm f/1.8 as well as some of the better lenses Sigma makes for the Canon*.

*Sigma also makes the same lenses for the Nikon mount but many of these will not autofocus on the D5000.
 
I'm not a pro - but completely agree here with bwana. To really appreciate a DSLR put a decent lens on it - and it doesn't have to be an expensive lens either. The 50mm 1.8 over the kit - chalk and cheese!
 
bwana said:
Yep, but you don't need to be one to see the problems that tend to arise from kit lenses - flaring, vignetting, barrel distortion are all commonplace.
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Agreed, but beginners aren't selling photos; beginners are generally looking for a P&S replacement to take better pics with - which kit lenses give them easily. I bet you most beginners who buy kit lenses, be it Canon or Nikon, are ecstatic with them.

You also don't need to be a pro to appreciate inexpensive quality glass like a 50mm f/1.8 as well as some of the better lenses Sigma makes for the Canon*.

*Sigma also makes the same lenses for the Nikon mount but many of these will not autofocus on the D5000.
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Agreed, the fast 50s are super. Perhaps the OP should look at the Nikon D90 for a more fair comparison camera to the 550D... :D
 
PostmanPot said:
Agreed, but beginners aren't selling photos; beginners are generally looking for a P&S replacement to take better pics with - which kit lenses give them easily. I bet you most beginners who buy kit lenses, be it Canon or Nikon, are ecstatic with them.
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It's got nothing to do with selling photos. It's about image quality. You might be happy with the kit lens but look at the number of "what lens should I buy next" threads here and on other forums.
PostmanPot said:
Agreed, the fast 50s are super. Perhaps the OP should look at the Nikon D90 for a more fair comparison camera to the 550D... :D
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For an ageing camera the more expensive D90 is worth considering as is the 50D which was also launched around the same time.
 
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bwana said:
It's got nothing to do with selling photos. It's about image quality. You might be happy with the kit lens but look at the number of "what lens should I buy next" threads here and on other forums.
For an ageing camera the more expensive D90 is worth considering as is the 50D which was also launched around the same time.
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It does IMO. Surely your profession allows you to justify spending lots on pro lenses to reduce flaring/vignetting/barrel distortion for better image quality, because you have a cause for concern? Cheap lenses are there for beginners who don't want to spend as much as pros, or who don't need the "commercial" image quality. As far as Nikon entry-level lenses go (I'm sure Canon's the same), they provide superb image quality that would bowl away most people, and fully satisfy a beginner/personal user's needs and wants. Entry DSLR lenses certainly don't give low quality images - it's a DSLR...

Sure, the D5000 limits expansion/use of non-SWM lenses due to its lack of focus motors, but my point was merely that the D5000 twin lens kit could appeal to the OP as they would get much more zoom/bang for buck than the more expensive 550D + 18-55 - and I know that the first lens beginners normally want is a decent zoom. The chances people will be putting non-SWM lenses on a D5000 are small in any case since most of Nikon's popular lenses have SWM motors (and Sigma's HSM motor or what ever), especially those for entry-level cameras (the argument gets quite tiresom, Nikon have covered themselves). Pity about the fast 50 though, Nikon 35mm 1.8 with SWM is the next best bet.

The 550D is an awesome camera, the only fair comparison from Nikon is the D90.
 
PostmanPot said:
It does IMO. Surely your profession allows you to justify spending lots on pro lenses to reduce flaring/vignetting/barrel distortion for better image quality, because you have a cause for concern? Cheap lenses are there for beginners who don't want to spend as much as pros, or who don't need the "commercial" image quality. As far as Nikon entry-level lenses go (I'm sure Canon's the same), they provide superb image quality that would bowl away most people, and fully satisfy a beginner/personal user's needs and wants. Entry DSLR lenses certainly don't give low quality images - it's a DSLR...
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Do you really believe that only professional photographers are interested in good image quality? :confused:
 
bwana said:
Do you really believe that only professional photographers are interested in good image quality? :confused:
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No, but I do believe that people (beginners especially) generally perceive the results of any entry level DSLR + entry-level lens to be better than "good" image quality, due to the nature of a DSLR camera.
 
PostmanPot said:
No, but I do believe that people (beginners especially) generally perceive the results of any entry level DSLR + entry-level lens to be better than "good" image quality, due to the nature of a DSLR camera.
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Why buy a second lens that will, sooner rather than later, warrant replacing? Save a little longer, spend a little more, and buy glass that should last a lifetime.
PostmanPot said:
The 550D is an awesome camera, the only fair comparison from Nikon is the D90.
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Then we're agreed as far as the OP goes the D5000 is not.
 
bwana said:
Why buy a second lens that will, sooner rather than later, warrant replacing? Save a little longer, spend a little more, and buy glass that should last a lifetime.Then we're agreed as far as the OP goes the D5000 is not.
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Because it allows you to zoom while staying within budget? I think you've forgotten what it's like to be a starter. :D
 
PostmanPot said:
Because it allows you to zoom while staying within budget? I think you've forgotten what it's like to be a starter. :D
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Really? What's the OPs budget?

As for forgetting - lets just say that hardly a day goes by that I dont use the same 400D I bought three years ago.
 
bwana said:
Really? What's the OPs budget?

As for forgetting - lets just say that hardly a day goes by that I dont use the same 400D I bought three years ago.
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±R9000 I'd imagine as that's what the 550D + kit lens costs.

You use kit lenses with your 400Ds?
 
PostmanPot said:
You use kit lenses with your 400Ds?
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There is only one canon kit lens - these days it is the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS. I have, and on occasion still use, it.
 
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