State of the DSLR market: Nikon vs. Canon vs. Sony/Minolta vs. Olympus vs. Panasonic/Leica vs. Pentax vs. Samsung vs. Sigma vs. Fujifilm digital SLR cameras, as of January 2009

Nikon D40

Nikon D60

Nikon D80

Nikon D90

Nikon D300

Nikon D700

Nikon D3

Nikon D3x

Canon Digital Rebel XS (EOS 1000D)

Canon Digital Rebel XTi (EOS 400D)

Canon Digital Rebel XSi (EOS 450D)

Canon EOS 40D

Canon EOS 50D

Canon EOS 5D

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Canon EOS 1D Mark III

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III

Sony Alpha A200

Sony Alpha A300

Sony Alpha A350

Sony Alpha A700

Sony Alpha A900

Olympus E-420

Olympus E-520

Olympus E-30

Olympus E-3

Panasonic DMC-G1

Panasonic DMC-L10

Panasonic DMC-L1

Leica M8.2

Leica S2

Pentax K2000D

Pentax K200D

Pentax K20D

Samsung GX-10

Samsung GX-20

Sigma SD-14

Sigma SD-15

Fujifilm S5 Pro

The D40 has the best metering I've ever experienced. Very rarely 'misses' on color balance, even in complex situations. Light and FAST.

Wonderful camera! Live-view is a blessing!

Alpha 900 should be here

here must be A900 Shch :D

The king of primes :D

Got myself a D200.

Not a DSLR. Amazing camera though

And yeah, big up för your job eith this image : )!

Leica M8 and not M8.2

fucking beast! is this the "$20,000+" camera?

Fucking best digital medium format

actually, thats not a medium format

It's enough bigger than 35mm that many people would call it medium format. But no one really knows how good it is yet, since the S2 hasn't been released to retail, or even priced yet.

E-510 :)

great HD video!

the new K7D! :-)

Seems to be a very nice camera!

Why, when the specs match? D3x even uses the A900 sensor.

d70 and d70s?

I want !!!!

D40x?

I wish i hav this..

The best

n!ce

nice

Canon 7D

For ever ( 1 )

here alhoa 850.

olympus 620

D700x would be nice!!!! I would go for it...

still not a "professional"camera.

Great Dynamic Range, but deceptive to call it a 12MP camera-it behaves like a super 6MP camera.

ive honestly never seen any one use a samsung dslr. ever.

It's so perfect, amazing!:)

Same here for a D700 with HD video and nothing more. (I want current D700 spec + HD video, preferably improved and 720p at 60fps. :p)

I found mine here : )

Neither have I!

Thats ME!!!!

State of the DSLR market: Nikon vs. Canon vs. Sony/Minolta vs. Olympus vs. Panasonic/Leica vs. Pentax vs. Samsung vs. Sigma vs. Fujifilm digital SLR cameras, as of January 2009 by penmachine.

NOTE: Here's a great update of this collage from Billy Wilson, with a helpful grid, new Micro Four Thirds cameras, and medium-format SLRs too.

See my blog post for further discussion of this image.

My June 2008 DSLR camera collage is by far my most popular image on Flickr. This is an updated version of that composite of publicity photos from various DSLR camera manufacturers, current as of the beginning of January 2009. Images are © 2006-2009 Nikon, Canon, Sony, Olympus, Panasonic, Leica, Pentax, Samsung, Fuji, and Sigma. Thanks also to DP Review and DC Resource for making the images easy to find.

Prices here range from around $450 (with lens) to $20,000+ (no lens). The smallest cameras in this bunch are the Leica M8.2, Panasonic G1, and Olympus E-420. The heaviest are the pro monsters, the Nikon D3/D3x, Canon 1D/1Ds Mark III, Sony A900 (with grip), and the upcoming Leica S2 medium format DSLR.

What's new since the last collage are DSLRs that take movies (Nikon D90, Canon 5D Mark II), new form factors at the low end (Panasonic G1 with interchangeable lenses but no mirror box) and high end (huge sensor and lenses on the Leica S2), and renewed emphasis on low-light performance. Sony's and Nikon's entry into the mega-megapixel race with the A900 and D3x are also interesting.

Relative camera sizes are not exact. The positions of the various models vaguely reflect my impressions of a combination of price, features, and market segment. That's quite subjective, so you could easily argue with my placement of some of them -- and sometimes I just had to bump things around to make them fit. Take the image as a general guideline. Look down the columns to see how different cameras from a single manufacturer compare from low-end to high-end; look across the rows to see roughly comparable cameras (in features, price, or both) from different makers that compete with one another.

Have fun in the comments. I'll probably update this again in another six months.

This photo has notes. Move your mouse over the photo to see them.

To take full advantage of Flickr, you should use a JavaScript-enabled browser and
install the latest version of the Macromedia Flash Player.

Comments

← prev 1 2 next →

(151 comments)

kk+ says:

i've got 3 of these of which my favorite ever has been the 20d. learning the 5d MK II now. :)
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

penmachine says:

I have... none of them! My DSLR is a Nikon D50 (same res as the D40, still quite functional, if a little slow on the burst mode and grainy at high ISO), and my film SLR is a Nikon F4 (still absolutely awesome, and makes a great bludgeoning weapon in a pinch). Both no longer made, of course.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

gillicious says:

I'm not sure Nikon and Canon have enough cameras.

If money were no object I'd try out the Leica. However, my current idea is to someday switch from Nikon to Pentax, due to the quality/price ratio. Plus then my father can't borrow my lenses anymore.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

penmachine says:

My favourite reaction was the comment Axl Van Goks made on my last collage: "I like the black one with the buttons and stuff."

Gillian, although it's low-end for you, just to be contrarian you should get the "stormtrooper white" Pentax K2000D. I'm sure it'll get scuffed up and discoloured way too easily, though, like a white MacBook. But you know, white cameras take better pictures!
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Jason Phillips Design says:

This is great! I did a comparison for Canon Lenses:

Check it out --> flickr.com/photos/jasonphillipsdesign/3054031 695/
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Mtn Biker says:

Of course the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 is not a DSLR, but an EVIL (electronic viewfinder, interchangeable lens). The G1 has no R (reflex).

Ref.: www.dpreview.com/previews/PanasonicG1/

I would agree that the black one with the buttons and stuff is the best one.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

JP Lozier says:

The Leica M8.2 is a rangefinder, not an SLR ;)
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

James Fryer says:

You forgot the Nikon D60 Black Gold! How could you!?
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

jónr says:

Fantastico! :)
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Frankenstein says:

That stormtrooper white K200D would be the perfect photo accessory for the Finnish Army's ski corps.

Anyway, I like the one with the biggest, most masculine lens.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

penmachine says:

The Leica M8 is indeed not an SLR (I noted that in my previous collage, but didn't here). However, it's likely to be considered by people who would otherwise buy an SLR, something that's not generally true of other rangefinder/point-and-shoot designs. It's also priced like a high-end DSLR too! The Panasonic G1 is an interchangeable-lens design without a mirror (so it's an EVIL or SLSR -- single lens sans reflex), so it's an outlier too.

The Leica S2 also might fit into the medium-format SLR category with cameras from Hasselblad, Phase One, and others, rather than the 35 mm-style cameras elsewhere here. But I decided to keep both Leicas and the G1 here because they're of interest to the same audience as the rest of these machines. Plus, the Leica R9 no longer has a digital option available, and the R10 hasn't been formally announced yet. If it is in six months, watch for it on the next version.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

dicken_ben says:

nice, i have the d80
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Lens-work says:

Sd14 ftw!
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

punkassjim says:

Rarely has a "top left of the chart" item felt so damn good. Another D80 here, and I feel just fine having five more products higher in the range.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

JaredEarle says:

Hey, my D400 is still there. It's not got too old to feature yet.

If technology were to stop advancing and this was the last refinement of the DSLR camera, it'd be ok. Sure, we all want new toys, but the state of the DSLR market can be defined in two words "just fine." What we have today is essentially good enough for a while.

Yes, I like new stuff and improvements, but it's safe to say DSLRs are past where 35mm was when it died. Oh, and yes, 35mm is dead. Didn't you get the memo?
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

AurélienS says:

Interesting, why did you chose to put the D40x in 2008 and "only" the D40 in 2009?
Great collage anyway.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

penmachine says:

In the last collage, both the D40 and D40x were still on sale (along with the D60), and to save space I only put in one of them because they look the same. (Same with Canon's 1D and 1Ds, by the way, but I decided to include both this time.)

If you go to Nikon's product page today, the D40x is gone, with the D60 entirely taking its place. So I put in the still-sold D40 but took out the D40x. And actually, if you look closely, it's the same D40x image -- I just Photoshopped out the x! :)
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

gfurry says:

Nice work. It would be interesting to see the Megapixel and price info.

Here is a link to a straight on view of the Canon 1d Mark III i37.photobucket.com/albums/e76/MTKCAFE/1d_mar k3.jpg
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

LeKriz says:

Are all those Canons really still in active production?

Even considering that the 5D is on the outs, that's waaay too many choices. They really should just cut it down to four:
-- the Rebel
-- the 50D
-- the 5DII
-- The 1-series
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

penmachine says:

Someone shopping online or walking into a camera store will see a range of models, and they might wonder if the Rebel XTi is different from the Rebel XSi -- and it is. The 40D and 50D are different. The 1D and 1Ds are different. The D3 and D3x are different. Yeah, it's a judgment call, but there you go.

I based my list on what appears on Canon's EOS camera page. I did much the same for other manufacturers, though I did cheat a bit and omit the Nikon D200, even though Nikon still lists it on their SLR page. I don't know anyone who would buy a new D200 now that the D90 and D300 are available.

Hey, wait a minute! I could have sworn the original 5D was still there yesterday, and now it isn't! Jeez, things change too fast. And yeah, the Nikon D80 is on the way out too, some of the Panasonic, Fuji, Samsung, and Sigma cameras are really getting old... I'm not striving for perfection here.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

hauxon says:

The Mamiya ZD is missing.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

penmachine says:

I knew that Leica S2 would get in trouble. I'm not adding the medium-format digicams from Hasselblad, Mamiya, Phase One, etc. First, that's a whole new can of worms. Second, I don't know enough about them to make sure I don't miss any.

You're welcome to make your own collage if you like, though!
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

hauxon says:

Haha, but the Mamiya ZD camera is an intergrated DSLR, not a camera+digital back (but also available as back). It's the only medium-format intergrated DSLR until the Leica S2 becomes available.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

penmachine says:

Well, there you go, I had no idea. Maybe I'll add it to the next iteration of the diagram... or maybe I'll remove the S2!

It does look like the ZD uses a detachable back, however. Am I wrong?
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

hauxon says:

The ZD back is a different product. Both share the same 22MP 48x36mm sensor. ;-)
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

penmachine says:

This image had the expected effect on my blog and Flickr traffic, but really, that's not the main reason I made it...

...and now my old collage is approaching 40,000 views from all the new traffic too.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Roman Schmitz says:

Nice collage, gives a nice overview. I don't really agree on where you placed the Sonys though. The alpha 700 isn't better than a D90 imo, and the alpha 900 is no way close to a D3 or a 1D, I think even a D700 is a lot better. Anyway thanks for posting
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

penmachine says:

I couldn't squish the Sonys together much more at the top. As I said, positioning is not precise. The A700 is at least in D80 territory -- or was, when they were both new. The A900 is a tough beast to position, yeah, probably more in 5D Mark II/D700 territory, but I bumped it down the chart because it out-resolves the D700 and D3, even though those are better cameras overall. The 5D Mark II would have been there too if the 1D weren't.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

TenSafeFrogs says:

You should make your notes links to the camera page on flickr for each model.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

penmachine says:

Neat idea. My previous image had links to reviews of each camera, so I may do one or the other, or both, when I get some time here.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Tiago S Costa says:

very nice!
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

kdaci says:

I think it's nor right to compare a Canon 40d with Nikon D90!!
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

penmachine says:

Why not? The pricing is similar and they're in a comparable market segment (mid-level enthusiast crop-frame DSLR) . But please remember, POSITIONS ARE NOT EXACT in the collage. How would you change things so that they all still fit in the picture?
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

kdaci says:

I agree with the sensor size, but I would've put the 40D between D200 and D300. Another thing that you can't compare the 40d with D90 is that it doesn't have recording at all like the D90(HD). And at last, if you hold a D90 and 40D you'll see difference in size and material. I think the 40D is more professionally made, even though it's older than the D90.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

kdaci says:

Ow, i forgot, the review thing that you are doing is great. It's really attracting
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

penmachine says:

Thanks!
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Lnandoo says:

the alpha 700 isn't better than d90? Are you saying this because the a700 can't record video?? HAHAHA.

I would say that the canon xs is better than sony a200 and a200 is better than nikon d40 and it seems that you put all of them in the same range. anyways this is a very very good job my friend.

Thank you and sorry for my english :)
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Lnandoo says:

I agree, canon 40d is just better than nikon d90. If you want a video recorder then buy a video recorder system.

at the moment video recorder cameras cannot replace a photo camera and a photo camera cannot replace a videocamera, just as a cell phone camera cannot replace a point n shot camera :)

im sorry for my english again.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Roman Schmitz says:

No, I think the D90's "video" option is pointless. Personally I even prefer my D80 to an alpha 700 but that is not the question.

The Alpha 700 is horrid to use, the ergonomics are terrible (doesn't even have an upper screen !!! ) buttons are unpractical and badly disposed. The performance at high ISO is disappointing, it has no live view, it's not exactly cheap and last but not least the shutter sounds sick!

In comparison the D90 has excellent ergonomics, very good ISO performance, live view, it has a reasonable price tag and sounds just right.

I'm a Sony fan but for now I really don't like their cameras. Although they have some really cool features and some very good lenses, I think they've still a loooong way to go to become a serious contender.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

isthisyelah? says:

D700/5D/5D2 = niceeee.

wish I could get one.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Karl Johnston says:

I just ordered 2 5D mark IIs :) best 6 and a half grand I ever spent.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

penmachine says:

Do you have them yet? Seems like a great camera, and the people I know who have one certainly like it -- let us know once you get them in your hands how you feel about them then too!
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Seuny says:

ok thats the wallpaper sorted what i really need is a 2009 camera calendar can't seem to find it anywhere. I love cameras. bring on the camera p0rn
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

oscar_spanner says:

Nice work on the collage penmachine, but I often wonder about those (few) of you out there saying this is better than that etc, on what evidence? None I guess just personal prefference or mag and lad top trumps talk! I would be prepared to offer my soul to anyone that could tell which is which or even much difference if presented with an A4 print of each...I don't own a Sony (yet) but have had at one time or another had all the consumer Canon/Nikon/Oly's listed here _ others D200, D70s 300D 350D (for reviewing purposes) - All great in there own right but not one stood out image quality'wise as better than the next. A friend has a A200 & A700 and the images she produces are amazing but she is a fantastic photographer and it wouldn't matter what she was using, so concentrate on taking photos rather than slagging brand/models off to impress your mates!!!!
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

penmachine says:

Hear hear, Oscar. That's why they call this sort of stuff "camera porn." As many have said, it's "not about the camera." And "98% of all lenses are better than 99% of all photographers" too.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

SaganGathering says:

Regarding the Lumix G1: Realize that getting rid of the SLR mechanism is a *good* thing. SLR mechs are something of an anachronism meant for film shooters.

I'll be happy to get rid of that SLR delay and SLR vibration.
There's no need for one ( SLR mech) in a digital camera, as long as the LCD is high quality. And the G1 supposedly has the higest res LCD out now.

Some of us have been waiting for a cam like this for YEARS. Lumix just needs to refine this proof-of-concept camera a little further.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

dronaggarwal says:

....now which one to buy?
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

_peppo_ [deleted] says:

so if you buy a pentax k20 instead of a nikon d300 you have the same quality and save a lot of money..
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

LeKriz says:

A k20 is comparable to a d300, but not "the same".
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

snack happy says:

Roman Schmiitz - try an image-stabilised A700 or A900 with a Zeiss 135/1.8 Sonnar and then tell me again you don't like the Sony cameras. No top screen? Who gives a ****?
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

8-Bit 。[Fujikon] says:

snack happy,
sorry to say but sony sucks regardless of what lens you use
yeah they have zeiss which are one of the best, but think about it

sony along-side canon has some of the worst problems an SLR can have
sony has bad color management,
bad color depth,
bad noise reduction (which i MUST EMPHASIZE)
and whats another thing?
hmm compatibility with everything?.... you either need to use sony/minolta mounted lenses and flashes otherwise.......

as for canon, god i can go on
canon has hot shoe problems (don't anyone try to defend that its a fact)
aswell as the so called weather shielding (which fails at what 5℃)
and last but not least the FAMOUS MIRROR FALLING OFF
canon is the only camera company to have this problem

LeKris, the K20 is comparable to the D300, sadly the D300 loses to it haha! but i'd still rather buy a D300 over the K20D for money saving in the future, if you buy a K20D it'll break down on you where as a D300 will last you longer, all i can say is nikon's are built to take anything, and if there's anyone there who can prove me wrong then by all means do it
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

8-Bit 。[Fujikon] says:

penmachine you do know that fujifilm and nikon work together right?
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

penmachine says:

Yup, and Fuji's DSLRs work with Nikon lenses (just like Samsung's cameras with with Pentax lenses). But they use different sensors and firmware, so their cameras are different. Alas, the Fuji cameras are falling behind the Nikon equivalents -- the S5 Pro is basically a last-generation D200 -- but it's worth noting them on the chart.

These Canon quality problems you note haven't affected anyone I know personally, and there are a lot of Canon shooters out there, including many professionals, so they can't be that bad on balance. Yes, the 1D Mark III had significant autofocus issues, and the 5D Mark II had "black spot" image issues with highlights (maybe fixed by the new firmware), but I don't know of a rash of camera issues as you mention. And I'm a long-time Nikon guy!

I always recommend talking to people who've owned and used the kind of camera you seek, and trying out the model you're considering in a store. Really, these days it's hard to go wrong with any DSLR, especially at the intro and prosumer levels. They'll all help you take good pictures.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

kdaci says:

I agree with you penmachine. Never heard that the canon has a hot shoe issue, well, not by people who own canon, like 5d or 1d mk III, or whatever version. In most cases all DSLR make great shots, and for the lasting we can only talk about for like lets say d100 or S2, or eos 350D, etc etc... So you can't say that the pentax won't last more than D300. You haven't tested it.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Two Thumbs says:

I really like this collage! I'm still relatively new to the DSLR market but I started with an Olympus E-500 which was an ok camera but I never fell in love with it. After an unfortunate accident with the Olympus a pro photographer friend convinced me to switch to Nikon so I bought a D40 which I like much more than the Olympus in terms of comfort and what I want for functionality. Unfortunately I outgrew that camera pretty quickly.

Since I've already invested in lenses I figure I'm now a Nikon guy and I just ordered a new D90 body yesterday. I can't wait to give it a workout. I personally don't care about the video option but I'm pretty geeked about my new toy. I just hope it arrives before I head over to Rome in two weeks!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

chwis_uk says:

I have the opportunity to upgrade from my D40X (or change system!) but it's so hard deciding.

Why can't Nikon and Canon collaborate and put the workings of a 5D MkII in a D300's shell... what a camera that would be!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

penmachine says:

If the D700x ever appears, that's pretty much what you'd have. But Canon and Nikon haven't really collaborated since Canon started making their own lenses and Nikon their own cameras (the first Canon cameras had Nikkor lenses, back in the '30s), so I wouldn't expect anything like that.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

J.F.Raggio Anastassiou says:

...no has puesto laD-40x!!!!no porque este descontinuada significa que no existe, eso se llama rasismo, jajaja, ta muy bueno de todas maneras, salu2
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

chwis_uk says:

Ah yes, I've heard the D700x rumours etc.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

jarden9 says:

There's a competition also going on in quebler on what is the best camera.

quebler.com/results?q=1i
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

penmachine says:

You mean, someone has set up a good fight at Quebler. There is no "best" camera -- other than whichever one you actually have with you when you need to take a picture, and know how to use.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

_BASIL_ [deleted] says:

i have
nikon d70s
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Andreas-aldin says:

u seem to just go on the megapixels
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Bijan1351 says:

Which camera is winner in this year?
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

penmachine says:

There's no one winner. It depends what you need. If you want low-light performance, a Nikon D3 or D700 is tops right now, but the Canon 5D Mark II, 1Ds Mark III, or Sony A900 give you more resolution (and medium-formats or the Leica S2 if it were available beat any of them). If you need small and quiet, the Leica M8.2 is your choice. Do you need video with SLR lenses? It's the D90 or the 5D Mark II for you, because that's all there is at the moment. Most important, what can you afford? What lenses do you already have? And so on.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Bijan1351 says:

Thank you...your page iis very informative ...I have a Nikon D 90 with 18-105 Nikkor lens and 10-20 Sigma I'm going to buy 50 mm 1.8 f lens.
What is your suggestion ? do you confirm D90 as a good choice for photography or not.... most of people always talking about quality of Nikon but some people have another Idea they always confirm Canon as the best camera...
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

ZenDimz says:

hey man thanks a lot for posting these...keep it up
Posted 10 months ago. ( permalink )

lacoyjr says:

the canon 40d is far better than the nikon d90... thare no comparision.....
Posted 10 months ago. ( permalink )

Andreas-aldin says:

u are wrongn on that
Posted 10 months ago. ( permalink )

Roman Schmitz says:

I agree with you Andreas
Posted 10 months ago. ( permalink )

The Blackwood Index says:

I like my Nikon : )
Posted 10 months ago. ( permalink )

mishra_anil2039 says:

Wow
Posted 10 months ago. ( permalink )

jer capture says:

good job Mr. Penmachine, salute!! i'm newbie in photo hobbies, i use point and shot camera, someday i'll try to switch into entry level DSLR.

the guns does matter, but the man behind it make the difference, isn't it?
Posted 10 months ago. ( permalink )

dbkfrog says:

I finally got around to checking out the collage again. It looks great. I see my old K10D has been replaced by the K20D. It had to happen I suppose. I have no reason to replace it at the moment as it's still going strong.
Posted 10 months ago. ( permalink )

Sepideh! says:

May I?
Which would you pick: Sony Alpha A350 or Canon Digital Rebel XSi (55mm)?
I appreciate your help!
Posted 10 months ago. ( permalink )

penmachine says:

@Sepideh! - I would suggest trying to get each one in your hands and seeing how it feels for you to use. No entry-level DSLR is necessarily hugely better than any other. So think of it in terms of what feels good to you now, AND as an entry into a system you might grow with later.

Canon, of course, is the biggest seller, and still the brand most pros use, so you'll find it easier to get lenses, accessories, and so on no matter where you are, and there's a big line of higher-end cameras you can migrate to in the future.

On the other hand, Sony has some great lenses too, and compatibility with Minolta Alpha stuff for some years back, and they're doing interesting things with live view and in-camera stabilization.

Don't write off Nikon and Pentax either -- the D60 and K200D are extremely good value for the money.
Posted 10 months ago. ( permalink )

Sepideh! says:

Thanks for your help, your suggestion worked!
Posted 10 months ago. ( permalink )

trebolab [deleted] says:

nikon d90 is missing?
Posted 10 months ago. ( permalink )

penmachine says:

It's there! Fourth down in the first column, with the other Nikons.
Posted 10 months ago. ( permalink )

SHAZRAL says:

i like Canon & nikon.... they are really great camera......... the important is.... how u use it/skills. i use canon 450d... i want to upgrade to 40d......but in the future i would like to have nikon.....not change canon to nikon... but i want to use both system.......Love Canon & nikon = Love Photography!
Posted 10 months ago. ( permalink )

paulmcmenamin86 says:

I have two of these.The Olympus E520 and E3.Brilliant cameras and completely under-rated.Still though, i wouldnt mind a full frame!

Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

penmachine says:

I don't quite understand why the E-1 and E-3 are so big when they have that smaller sensor. The E-3 is bigger than the Nikon D300, for instance, while Olympus's smallest DSLR, the E-420, is almost as small as a Leica. Personally, I like a big camera, so the E-3's size is not a bad thing in my book! :)
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

spicros68 says:

excellent gear photo!
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

maresado says:

forte !!!
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

ibend1 says:

you guys seen the new canon T1i?
heres a link to it:http://www.dpreview.com/news/0903/09032504 canoneos500d.asp
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

ibend1 says:

www.dpreview.com/news/0903/09032504canoneos50 0d.asp

sorry, the other one didnt work right
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

renwick20003 says:

K
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

saul.davis says:

Sepideh! and penmachine
I am looking at this price range of camera. I have ruled out the Sony because I saw bad reviews. So I am deliberating between the Canon EOS Rebel T1i with the Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens (total 1,125 USD) and the Olympus Evolt E620 with the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 (total 1,160 USD)? (See bhphotovideo.com wishlist.) At the moment I prefer the Olympus because it does not have video (waste of a resource I ain't gonna use), and the Sigma lens is (supposed to be) better than the canon f/1.4. Of course I could get the Canon with the Sigma lens but that would be out of my budget! I would love to hear your opinions.
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

kdaci says:

Choosing Olympus might cost you more later. It's much more easy and cheaper finding Canon stuff than Olympus, like lenses, battery grips and so on. Sigma has better contrast but it is not as fast on focus as the Canon, and what the hell, that is why we shoot RAW.
And another good deal is buying a used Canon on BHphoto, like a 40D with condition:9 for 799$, which should also have low number of actuation, cuz i would.
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

LeKriz says:

@kdaci: The Nikon F lens mount is decades older than the Canon EF lens mount. If you're really frugal, you should buy Nikon and have access to something like 50 years of (semi-)compatible lenses ... if you don't mind manually focusing.
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

kdaci says:

LeKriz, I agree that Nikon has even more options, but i do mind manually focusing. When you shoot birds with 200 mm or bigger lens, you really need autofocusing and have all the points of the camera on. You even need autofocus on portraits when you point it at an eye.
That is why i think manual focus is bad, mostly for commercial photos
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

penmachine says:

@saul.davis - Both of those cameras are very interesting. You might also want to check out Nikon's D90 with the old or new Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 designs, or (if you don't mind a crop-sensor-only DX lens) the brand new 35mm f/1.8. Pentax's K20D (about $800) with the Pentax 50mm f/1.4, which is only $200, is also a good deal.

Of the two you're looking at, I find the Olympus a more interesting design, but if I were starting out I'd probably still get the Canon, because of the wider range of accessories and lenses (both past and present) available now and in the future. Nikon has a similar advantage. Lenses last far longer than camera bodies.
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

paulmcmenamin86 says:

i myself love my oly gear and its perfect for what i do at the moment!Oh and on note on the oly glass, there is very little according to people who operate both an olympus and either a nikon/canon system in the range of lenses that can match let alone beat the 12-60mm f1.2-4 and 50-200mm f 2.8-3.5 SWD Zuiko lenses in terms of quality and speed!
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

saul.davis says:

Thanks very much for the useful advice everyone.
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

raed al-sane ( Lovely Cameras ) says:

wonderful idea...
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

eye8emily says:

nikon<3
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

dkeachie says:

Just bought a Sony A350, and this was the first image that popped up when I did a search of flickr for same.

Have 2 Sony 717, and figure learning curve should be easy. I am going to have to get used to a mirror all over again. Ordered a prime condition 50mm f 1.7 on EBay, to have as a base lens for aerial photography and to see how bad the kit zoom is.

will now go look for group.
Posted 8 months ago. ( permalink )

fouxdufafa says:

Please delete the useless notes from other's. Such as "oo I have this one" "this one is my fav". It is impossible to read the information on the picture. I am trying to learn different cameras and this photo would help me out alot.
Posted 8 months ago. ( permalink )

kdaci says:

I agree with fouxdufafa, anyone else?
Posted 8 months ago. ( permalink )

henningras1999 says:

Five years ago i said I will not easily go for digital photography, now I can't stop snapping away with my Canon EOS 50 D.

Do you guys and girls know who Robert Capa was??

He had the saying,

"If your photo is not good enough, you were not close enough to the action."

I doubt if he would have choose a digital camera,regardless the make and model.

You can have the top camera of all specs, but if you don't understand the camera with all it's functions,a toddler will take better than you on Auto mode.

It is not the camera that makes the photo, it is the photographer behind the camera that makes the picture. The camera can't do all by itself, you do the settings you want and must be happy with the outcome.

My very first camera was the Richo KR10X (see picture www.butkus.org/chinon/ebay/ricoh_kr-10x.jpg) and must say if all things have to go back to film photography, I will take on anyone hands down. The reason is that I know the camera in and out with all the settings on and know what it is capable of. I used it in different scenarios and learnt every day about photography. The only drawback I had ,was the NOISY grip with motor taking birding pictures and scare them away when I needed a silence camera.

I never speak negative about a picture, only if it offends me. I saw poor quality pictures taken with very expensive cameras, just because the owner didn't know the settings.

Henning Ras
www.gnldadvance.com

UK
0944 7763113535
Posted 8 months ago. ( permalink )

← prev 1 2 next →

(151 comments)

Would you like to comment?

[?]

	penmachine's photostream
		13,560 uploads

This photo also belongs to:

	Most Interesting (Set)
		72 items
	Part of: Geekery

	Camera Stuff (Set)
		233 items
	Part of: Geekery

	Camera porn (Pictures of cameras) (Pool)
		0

	Camera Junkie ( Gear Acquisition Syndrome ) (Pool)
		0

	Nikon Canada (Pool)
		0

	The A-Mount (Pool)
		0

	Photos of Cam(s) (Pool)
		0

	This Week in Photography (Pool)
		0

	Nikon, Canada (Pool)
		0

	Camera porn (Pool)
		0

	TackSharp (Pool)
		0

4 galleries contain this photo

422 people call this photo a favorite

Additional Information

Some rights reserved Anyone can see this photo

Taken on January 7, 2009
Viewed 78,258 times
Replaced on January 7, 2009

Add to your map

Yay location removed

...

(Some formats are OK.)

Or, remove it from the map.

Go to the map

You	Sign in \| Create Your Free Account
Explore	Places \| Last 7 Days \| This Month \| Popular Tags \| The Commons \| Creative Commons \| Search
Help	Community Guidelines \| The Help Forum \| FAQ \| Sitemap \| Get Help