I know what you're thinking, and I think you're wrong. That may be a confrontational way to start this post, but this Nikon vs. Canon DSLR debate is fueled by such passion in 2012 that I have to explain what we're discussing here.
Both Canon and Nikon DSLR cameras provide fantastic image quality and similar features. Because there are so many similarities between the brands, many people think that it makes no difference which brand you choose. While I agree that either brand will give great results, I believe there are important differences between the brands that may inform your decision.
I must mention that there are–obviously–other brands to choose from. Sony and Pentax also make great cameras that are on-par or even exceeding many Canon and Nikon models. The only reason I haven't included more about them in this article is because more than 90% of the people who use this site shoot Canon or Nikon. I have other articles where I discuss Sony and other brands.
Advantages of Nikon DSLR Cameras
- Low-Light Performance. Over the past two years, few people would disagree that Nikon has generally served up superior low-light cameras than the comparable Canons.
- Number of autofocus points. This one is controversial, but I think most people would agree with me. Head-to-head, most Nikons have more autofocus points than their Canon equivalents. When you get your camera, you'll realize how important this is because sometimes the low number of autofocus points on Canon cameras means there isn't an autofocus point for where you want to focus in the frame, forcing the photographer to focus and then recompose.
- Flash Control. Nikon has had better built-in options for controlling off-camera flash for years. Canon has recently caught up, or almost caught up, with its new built-in flash triggers in the 7d, 60d, and T3i.
- Larger APS-C sensors. Nikon uses slightly larger sensors in their crop sensor DSLR cameras. You can read about the difference between crop and full frame cameras here.
- Availability of minor features. Over the years, Canon has been notorious for refusing to add in easy-to-fix features to their cameras. For example, Nikon has been better about including geotagging via GPS in the camera, and expanded auto-exposure-bracketing sequences. In this way, Nikon is more responsive to adding the “little features” into DSLRs–even if the two brands are mostly equal in all other respects.
Advantages of Canon DSLR Cameras
- Video. No question on this one. Canon has creamed Nikon in terms of video performance. Nikon is starting to catch on with 1080p video and a basic autofocus system in its most recent releases, but still lags far behind Canon in this aspect. Canon DSLRs offer more frame rates, some Canons offer better codecs, etc.
- Price. Nikon cameras and lenses are often slightly more expensive than Canon. Obviously, there are exceptions, but if you check the range of DSLRs and popular lenses, Nikons generally cost approximately 8% than the comparable Canon gear according to my calculations.
- Megapixel Count. Most photographers don't care about this, but it is handy to be able to crop in tight with more megapixels. Canons have outperformed Nikons in terms of pixel count for a few years now.
- Availability. When Canon announces a new camera, you can generally expect to get it in your hands within a short period of time. When Nikon announces a new camera or lens (especially higher-end gear), it frequently takes 4 to 6 months before it is available…. sometimes longer!
- Focus motors. All modern Canon lenses have built-in focus motors. While most Nikon lenses (and certainly all the pro lenses) have focus motors, the beginner DSLRs made by Nikon cannot use all of the Nikon lenses.
Differences That “Might” Matter
Canon is a much larger company than Nikon. It creates printers, cameras, video equipment, binoculars, calculators, and more. Nikon is a much smaller company which focuses almost exclusively on cameras (though they also make sports optics and film scanners). This factor may or may give an advantage to one company or the other, but I'll let you draw your own conclusions here. Canon may have an edge for the resources of a huge mega-company, or Nikon may have the edge for being focused on one main product.
The “cool” factor. Come on, we all know that the huge cream-colored lenses on the sidelines of sports events always catch our eyes. Admit it. The Canon L lenses look cooler than the dull black Nikons 🙂 Canon actually claims that the white lenses aren't a fashion thing, but actually an engineering decision to lower heat, among other things. (If you're a law nerd, you'll recognize this as extremely stupid, because it militates against them getting a trademark for cream-colored lenses if it the trademark is functional).
So what DSLR camera is best for beginning photographers?
Both the Canon Rebel DSLRs and the entry-level Nikon DSLR cameras are very good. I know that it can be agonizing to choose between them. Generally, I recommend this Canon camera for beginning photographers who are interested in DSLR video or portraits. If you're more into wildlife, landscape, candids, or flash photography, then I'd give a slight edge to this Nikon camera. By the way, I'm continually updating these camera recommendations as both companies release new products. I changed these camera recommendations most recently on September 15, 2011.
What's your personal choice?
I'm personally a Nikon photographer, having recently jumped ship from the land of Canon. I switched for the low-light performance of Nikons, but I'm sure Canon will catch up very soon and then I'll look longingly to the other side of the fence. It was a fit for me at the time, but I think Canons are just as good or better in other respects.
The purpose of the post was to inform you of some of the differences, not to persuade you one way or the other. Do you disagree with me on my analysis? Send in a comment below and tell me how wrong I am. I don't mind 🙂 Also, make sure to LIKE ImprovePhotography on Facebook so you can get our daily photography tips.
As far as Nikon goes, you pay for better quality not just in terms of pictures, but a number of aspects.
Easy Accessibility of controls, Better Low Light performance.
When you see companies like Nasa going with Nikon it also speaks volumes.
Canon maybe be a bigger / wealthier company that doesn’t mean they make better products. Huge % of there profits come from other sectors other than cameras like printers, xerox machines etc …
That’s probably why you see a lot of Canon dedicated stores while you often find Nikon selling there camera’s through authorised Resellers (atleast in the middle east).
I am still so confused. I need a camera that will take a great sport shot, but I don’t want to give up an low light advantage. I’m thinking of the canon 7D or the Nikon 7000. At some point I will upgrade to a higher end camera, but plan on investing $ in a fast lens now so when the decision is made I’ll be stuck with that product. Any suggestions???
Hi All, Great Post!
Last year I bought the Nikon D5000, but returned it – as I heard there was new cameras coming out – was hoping for a newer model, or better price.
Fast Forward to this year… recently went to BB to get the D5100, and then held the Canon 60D and I was sold – bought it immediately – never researched the Canon, but knew everything about the D5100.
After awhile of use, I found the images would never be as sharp as I would expect – now it could be me (I am a newbie) or the lens (18-200).
I then saw the D7000 online for the same price I got the 60D for – got BB to price match, and now own the D7000.
Quality – much prefer the images from the Nikon than the Canon – and again, many factors involved here…but sharper and clearer.
Differences that I found:
60D vs D5100 – when you hold the 6)D it just feels comfortable. Nice in the hand and feels like a good camera. The D5100…was good, but not as good.
D7000 vs 60D
In my hands – felt practically the same – great build quality, and you feel like you have a good camera.
Menus – Canon easily takes the cake here – their menu system is easy and understandable.
Image quality – I found that the Nikon had a better and sharper IQ – again, weigh in that I am not a expert and the difference in the glass – especially the latter, could be the entire reason for it. (Nikon was with a 18-105)
Colors – Canon’s colors are warmer than Nikon’s – out of the box – but you can achieve practically the same results by changing your settings – it is all a personal preference on what you want the shot to look like. Someone in the post mentioned – take a photo and by looking at it determine if it was shot with a Canon or a Nikon – you cannot tell.
Honestly, I think I would have been happy with either product, so choose what works for you. I am not a believer in movies on DSLR’s – nice to have some capabilities, but there is so much more that can be achieved by a dedicated video camera – except the DOF!
My first foray into dslr is my Canon 550d with a good walk-around lens 18-135, and a Sigma 50mm 1.4.
I’m having a fantastic time.I don’t even know all my camera can do, I’m just happy with what it does.
As for Nikon? I’m sure they are great, but I DON’T CARE!
And I bet NASA get a fantastic deal on nikon equiptment and nikon get to use nasa’s name.
Thats why they do buisiness!!!!!!!!
It’s got to be Nikon for the professional photographer! No competition.
I have just brought myself the Nikon D7000 and what I can say, it’s superb. The sharp colours, the feel, the user friendliness. I’m happy.
MANOLA
Hi, I’m new to this and was worried about future upgrades too
Almost all Canon EF-S lenes will fit almost all canon eos systems and work correctly!!
Nikon lenses dont
Honestly i have used Nikon for about 5 years…now I’m switching to Canon Digital SLR. I just pick up the intermediate one. then i see the powerful of Canon compared to Nikon. For me the best is Canon. Sorry to say but this is the fact. Using Nikon for 5 years cannot beat the excellence I’ve get from using Canon just for 2-3 month only. Love Canon 😉
Hi , I want to buy canon which kind of it do u recommend me to buy .. Thanx for the good points
The best entry level is the 550d, the 600d gives a swivel screen fot video, costs a lot more, but is the same in every other way. You can find a used (slightly) 550d for under £500 (ebay)
I hear the 5d mark ii is a good pro model but I can’t afford one (yet)
Nikon D7000 here and you’d have to pry it out of my fingers! No question to me
I bought my first dslr camera recently. i was suppost to buy a nikon d5100 but i ended up buying canon 550d.. i am trully satisfied about my 550d. never regreated buying it… canon really gives what u want. ill be recommending canon for pips out there who wants to buy dslr.
Arrrrg! As Charlie Brown would put it. I am in the market for my own personal DSLR now, and the decision is maddening.
I have professionally used a Canon Rebel SXi, Canon 20d and Canon D5 for the past 6 years. My employer(s) furnished the cameras and equipment. I own none of the equipment I currently use, so I am not tethered to the Canon brand. In the past I have owed a Canon FTb, Canon AE-1 and a Canon EOS 800 film cameras. I own one AF lens for the EOS, and none of the older bayonet lenses will fit the newer cameras.
These past five years I have seen great accomplishments from both Canon and Nikon in the DSLR market. Yes, millions of pixels are inviting, but image quality to me is essential. Both give great results, but a lot of reviews comparing the two in image quality and sharpness include Post Processing. But is that really fair?
I personally am leaning towards the Nikon’s because of a slightly larger imaging sensor and lower noise when shooting higher ISO’s. I like natural lighting. A lot.
I am not really interested in video production, which Canon would have my attention in this category. Granted Canon has warmer colors (the yellows seem to pop more), and Nikon a little more contrasty, but color and contrast can be adjusted in any post production program. I shoot in RAW format 95% of the time anyway. So all of my color information is there, regardless.
It’s a personal decision. I used to sell cameras 30 years ago, and the question I always asked people, “What are you using it for?” The second question was, “How much do you want to spend?” Both have great lens selections, flashes and accessories.
Do your own due diligence and research. There will be one brand/camera that will stick out more than the other. There are different cameras for different skill levels. One is not better, but one will be better for YOU! 🙂
I am a Nikon user. After I decided that I wanted to take my photography on another level, I took a good look at both brands. I had a D40 at the time, a camera that I kept and love to use still.
I bought a D90. After comparing all the various features, I decided to go with the D90 for the noise control. I even chose it over the D300s. The 7D was also considered because you are getting a lot for your money, such as weather proof, excellent shutter speed, and pixels…but the cost did not justify it over the D90. I also preferred Nikon’s remote flash system, its AF assist light(hate that series of preflashes from Canon)
I would actually love a D700, again due to its noise control in low light.
Lastly once you are accustomed to one with its menus, buttons, terminology, etc..it is hard to change.
I agree that Nikon’s colors are cooler with generic settings, however that was easily solved on the D40, by adjusting the auto white balance to -2. On the D90, it is less of an issue because I try to shoot with preset white balance or adjust in PP.
Canons are more popular today with the …because of their video features and a better ad campaign. As a pro, I don’t care about that…i have only used video once…plan to in the future but I am too busy taking pictures.
My next camera will be full frame Nikon…hopefully a nikon FF with weather proofing.
If you love photography, it shouldn’t matter, don’t worry about the specs..”focus” on the art..and just how they feel in your hand.
Always a great topic…but real photographers know that they are almost equal enough to where they will not make the difference in getting that great shot…the buck stops with you!
I went Canon when I bought my first DSLR simply because of ergonomics in my price range at the time. Since then the investment in glass pretty much decides things for me. If I had to start again it could go either way again.
Both Canon and Nikon are continously trying to beat each other, so any to hold the crown on some aspect is bound to lose it sooner or later. As such, I put little faith in those who claim one brand or the other as the outright victor, period.
As for Nikon and NASA, it rather depends on *why* NASA chose Nikon. I can think of a lot of reasons, quite a few of which have no bearing whatsoever on actual quality in the context of this article.
I do not own a Nikon or a Canon, but have been contemplating on one of these for more than a year
now, my priorities are different at the moment, therefore its on hold endlessly.
Meanwhile, I’ve been doing extensive research on this very subject, through magazines, Photoblogs, Technical sites and comparing them back and forth with images taken by these Cameras and Lens on popular websites like flickr. I do this because the day when I have to buy a Camera and Lens, I do not have to waste even a second to rethink what I want.
Please also note, a photographer’s expectations are different like some shoot Landscapes, yet others are into Wildlife, but the results given below are based on my requirement which is Portraits.
My requirements : Good quality portraits.
Budget : Approx $1500 (For both Lens and Cam)
Now here are my findings and they are sincere since I do not belong to the Canon or Nikon world.
Nikon cameras are (Always) better in
A: Low light photograpy (quality retained in higher ISO)
B: Better colour depth
C: Better dynamic range
Canon cameras are (Always) better in
A: Video quality
I am purposefully omitting the megapixel factor as most who know photography will agree that’s only required to get a better crop and used during printing and both these Cameras are equally good in it.
Now looking at the above comparision an amateur may be tempted to go with Nikon, but that’s not all.
When I mentioned Nikon cameras are “Always” better in A,B,C it does not mean Canon is bad, it just means they are slightly behind and that applies in terms of video quality too in Nikon.
So where is the differentiating factor…? Well that lies in the inconspicuous world of “Lens” that nobody bothers about because unlike the Cameras that are countable few, there are hundreds of Lens.
My dear friends, Canon makes excellent quality Lens at affordable price where as Nikon too make good quality lens, but you have be those financially gifted ones to buy them.
For most people one Photograph is no different from an another, I am not gloating here, but I’ve gone through thousands of Photographs on the Internet and without an iota of doubt I can say, and most Professional photographers will agree with me, that top quality images are always taken from fast primes( Lens that have a fixed focal length and a large aperture like 1.4, 1.8, 2 or 2.8).
Now if an amateur like me with a moderate budget, wanted those kind of quality photographs, I am stuck, it is the end of the road for me in Nikon land! Not because Nikon does not make fast primes, but they are insanely priced and it would make you fall off your chair if I were to mention it.
However in the Canon land with little investment, an amateur like me has access to semi professional or professional grade lens in Canon world (the L series) at an affordable price.
For example the EF 85mm F/1.8 USM gives you excellent quality (Logon to flickr and search under groups with the above name, you will see for yourself). It has a built in fast ultra sonic motor and gives you out of the world quality and costs about $520.
The near equivalent in Nikon world the Nikkor AF 85mm f/1.8 D is a lens that’s made since the 1987 and cannot auto focus on the entry level cameras since it does not have a built in Motor. It will not auto focus even on D5100 because the Camera also lacks a built in Motor.
If you think okay, what if I buy a Nikon Camera with a built in motor, you are presented with the D7000(Bye bye amateur)! The incredible D90 has been discontinued (great marketing strategy, isn’t it?).
Now if you think, okay let me hold on to the entry level D5100 and buy an 85mm Lens with an internal silent wave motor, you are presented with the top quality Nikkor AF-S 85mm f/1.4 G at a cost of nearly $1800.
Those of you who have recovered from the shock, let me also add that in the Canon world if you are serious amateur and are willing to invest close to $1000, then you also get access to the indomitable “L” series professional lens like the Canon EF 135mm f/2 L USM and the Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 L USM II.
In the Nikon world there are no equivalent to the professional 135mm Prime and the 200mm prime cost $6800(it is a beauty, no doubt about that, but only the gifted can
dream of it)
The conclusion is that Nikon makes slightly better Cameras but terribly expensive lens, therefore you scope is very limited.
Canon on the other hand too makes quality Cameras which may be slightly behind(Just slightly) in those A,B,C points, but make excellent Lens at affordable price. Therefore the end result is that if you are an amateur with an Entry level Camera like the EOS 550D and one of those affordable Primes, you could get quality that only a professional dreams off in the Nikon world!
That makes all the difference!
Cheers, Blue
Guys guys guys! I’ve taken my best pictures with cameras that fit my front pocket. Yes you camera will not only help but will take your “eye” to the next level.
Just remember”it is not the tool, it is the fool” who takes/gets the photograph.
Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, etc., are made for each one of us. Just pick you partner an get great pictures and share them with the world. With years one learns and improves. As one improves the “tool” must improve too! My present camera is terrible at low light, it is slow focusing, it could be a nightmare for anyone, but as I good fotographer I’ve taken advantages of those handicaps and turned them into $$$!
Thanks to the companies I mentioned above and their continuing competition and upgrades and updates, etc. I’ll be able to get my next dream camera. The camera that will be perfect for me and only me!
All of you guys made a few very valids comments in favor and against one company or the other, but my desicion won’t be made on that alone, it will be made by experience, knowledge, needs and expectations. Thank you to all and I’ll let you know next year what I got! Ha!
Undoubtedly Marcelo, I agree with you! No matter what equipment you own, its the skill and creativity of the Photographer that is important at the end of day!
However that does not mean, one can use a point and shoot camera and get quality and details like a combination of professional camera and lens does. If that were the case, every skilled professional Photographer in the Country would be using a point and shoot camera instead.
What I mean is skills are definitely the priority, nobody in this long list of contributors would disagree on that point but in addition to that you also need good equipment to complement and do justice to that skill.
Cheers, Blue
nikon entry slr should be banned. consumers are forced to upgrade to motor cameras just to enjoy a 50mm f/1.8. don’t kid yourself d5x00 and d3x00 users.
After I read all your post I had finally made up my mind and grab A Nikon D90… As a newbie to photography passion the price for Nikon with regards to my level is such wonderful.