nikon d90 or canon 500d

A

assagai

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Hi,

Looking at getting into dslr photgraphy, after looking around i've narrowed it down to the models below.

I've found the Nikon D90 Kit 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Sigma - R11200
or Canon EOS 500D 18-55mm IS Lens Kit - R11000

i like the idea of being able to shoot short movie clips, so although i've found a canon 40d in the same price range it doesn't offer that feature.

The nikon 18-200 lens seems a bit more flexible considering i'll only have the one lense to start with.

So, opinions? I'm an amateur but keen on photography, this will be a major upgrade from my current casio exilim!
 
assagai said:
i like the idea of being able to shoot short movie clips, so although i've found a canon 40d in the same price range it doesn't offer that feature.
Click to expand...

The d90 does not shoot videos, as far as I'm concerned. Forget about the d90 video. Don't let video be a factor when buying a still camera - at least not yet.
 
I have a D90 and it is an excellent camera. It does shoot video, but as Idmelsa said (and I agree), don't let video be a factor when buying a still camera. If HD video from a DSLR is very important to you, then the Canon 5D Mark II would be the only real choice right now.

I'll be the first to admit the D90's video is very limiting. It doesn't autofocus once you're recording, and there are known issues with panning due to how the shutter works.

The D90 is an excellent camera and while I don't know the Canon 500D, you wouldn't be disappointed with the D90. However I think the thing is buy the camera that best fits your budget. Because ultimately, both the Nikon and the Canon will get you excellent results. And if you buy either of those cameras and the pictures don't look any good, it won't be because of the camera. ;-)

My choice was made because a) I was used to the Nikon range from shooting 35mm SLR and b) I went and tried out some of the options at the camera store, and liked the usability of the Nikon more. But like I say, that's just each to his own. The Canon would have also probably been an excellent choice. Don't get caught up in camera flame wars. They're a complete waste of time. Just buy one and get shooting. There are so many things to learn once you make that choice, that you'll just slow yourself down splitting hairs about camera brands.

That's my R0.02.
 
koffiejunkie said:
You're quoting the stabilised version, assegai didn't. Sigma has two 18-200mm lenses, one is not stabilised, the other one is (OS) and is a fair bit more expesnive - I don't think you'll get it in kit form for this price.
Click to expand...

Oops, my bad.

I've read that the Sigma 18-200 OS is very good.
 
koffiejunkie said:
They're stabilised.
Click to expand...

well, the Nikon 18-200VR is :D
I'd hardy call the VR on the 18-105 stabilisation

the Nikon 18-200VR has great VR (like Canon lenses :))
the Nikon 18-105VR's VR is only about 1 stop

the reason I got the 18-105VR is because it was a good deal (in the kit)
it's sharp though, but the 18-200VR is better in every way


if you get the Canon, then you'll have access to all of Canon's wonderful lenses

the 70-200L lenses are the best telephoto lenses (in that range)
the Canon EF-S 10-22 is the best ultra-wide for crop cams
the Canon 50mm 1.8 is the best price/performance

Canon lenses FTW (Nikon great too, just not as wide a range & more $)
 
cool thanks for the insights - do you think the sigma lens in the above kit is a waste of money?
 
PostmanPot said:
Oops, my bad.

I've read that the Sigma 18-200 OS is very good.
Click to expand...

From what I've seen it's actually not as good as the non-OS one (and neither is the 18-200mm), that's why I recommended the Nikon 18-200mm - it's very good. As far as third-party superzooms go, Tamron rules that particular area.

I'd recommend waiting another month or two until you can get one with decent glass. That's what I've been doing for the last few months.
 
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