Canon 50D Vs Nikon D90

[gatuths]

I need advice between these two options please.

[SS904]

Advice here will depend on many variables. Either would be an excellent choice if you're starting from scratch in the DSLR or SLR market. I am a Canon guy. Have been, will be. There are times when Brand X produces a body that has better (insert better feature here) than brand Y and the photo boards light up with people making nats-ass comparisons. Whatever. I have considerable money tied up in Canon lenses, so unless I win the lottery or get a pro photographer contract (about as likely as me getting a factory Superbike ride), then it just makes no sense to ever change systems. Systems being the key here. Both Nikon and Canon offer a dizzying array of gear including lenses and flashes. With future expansion in mind, there is more to consider than what body to buy. If you already own Canon or Nikon lenses (or other equipment) then go with that choice. If not, go with the camera that feels best in your hands. I personally like the Canon control dial over the Nikon thumb wheel. I also prefer the high end Canon lenses over the few Nikon equivalents I've handled. I hear Nikon has a better flash system. That may be something to consider if you are planning on a lot of flash photography. Just to note, I am not talking about the pop-up pen light that sits on top of either body, I mean proper speedlights or flash guns when I mention flash. They will both take astounding pictures if you also do your part!

Hopefully I didn’t make it harder for you! Buy the one you like best. Did you have specific questions about either body?

[SpeedRacer]

Ford or Chevy ?

[gatuths]

Speed-Racer: BMW or Mercedes?

SS904: Thanks a lot for your advice. To be honest, it will be my first SLR and I read on some reviews and here is my notes:
(+) Canon 50D: Magnesium alloy body, faster 6.2 FPS, I am familiar with the menu (I currently use canon Powershot G10).
(+) Nikon D90: Sharper contrast on higher ISO, Better lenses?

My purpose is mostly for sport and wildlife, so I plan to put a good telephoto zoom lense.

[SS904]

Originally Posted by gatuths

(+) Canon 50D: Magnesium alloy body, faster 6.2 FPS, I am familiar with the menu (I currently use canon Powershot G10).
(+) Nikon D90: Sharper contrast on higher ISO, Better lenses?

My purpose is mostly for sport and wildlife, so I plan to put a good telephoto zoom lense.

Better lenses with Nikon... Kind of a wash if you ask me. Canon's L (pro line) lenses are pretty freaking good. Nikon also makes a pro line of lenses. When someone says one brand of lens, along the same price point / target market, is better than another, I have to wonder what the testing criteria was and how the test was conducted. Are they posting MTF charts and pictures of news print and brick walls? In real life shooting, both companies make incredible high end glass. The lower grade lenses are good as well. I have owned a lot of Canon’s non L lenses and have found them very good. I have only used one older Nikon zoom from its non pro line and it was also pretty good.

Same deal with IQ. I will say the current crop of Nikon bodies may have the edge on Canon's stuff, but that is a pretty recent development and you can be sure Canon will close the gap! My camera takes very usable images at ISO 6400, two stops better than I knew even existed when I shot film! It's crazy!

Magnesium body on the Canon? I think Nikons may be as well but keep in mind, at this price point of consumer bodies, the magnesium is just a thin cover over a mostly plastic structure underneath. I wouldn’t let that be a selling point. They are very well built, but don't confuse them with the top of the line models in either the Canon or Nikon line up. Those are fully sealed and made of solid magnesium shells and aluminum / magnesium structures underneath. They are also stupid expensive to buy new!

If you intend to shoot sports and wildlife, I will recommend the Canon if you’re looking for a recommendation. Why? I shoot sports primarily and use lenses from Canon’s L series to do so. The lenses are truly excellent. I use a 70-200 f/2.8L as my main lens for ice hockey and I have rented a 135 f/2L prime lens on several occasions for gymnastics. I also own two other L series zooms, all of which have been used with several Canon bodies from my old 1N film body to a 10D and on to my current 1DMK3. The lenses perform in all conditions. Not to say Nikon can’t compete here, surely they can, but I’m sold on Canon for the lenses if you haven figured that out yet! Canon also has a good AF system in its mid-grade cameras. I can’t speak to the Nikon in that department, but a guy I occasionally help with gymnastics photography has been using the D700 and loves it. He also uses a Canon 1DMK2 as a back up, but to be fair the MK2 is a few generations behind the D700 in imaging technology.

If you're just starting, then as I said, it probably doesn’t matter as you can’t go wrong with either, my preference is Canon, but I am already invested in that system. Bodies come and go, but once you start collecting glass, it's hard to even think about starting over just because in one brief period of time the competition has an edge in a new body.

Try both; pick the one you like the feel of. Don’t get too wrapped up in reviews. Tomorrow a new body will come out and everyone will forget all about the D90 and 50D. If you really like taking pictures, that’s good news! You’ll get a smoking deal on yesterday’s tech when the new stuff suddenly makes them “obsolete”!

[gatuths]

SS904,

Thank you very much for your advice and it really helps me to make a decision.

[velocidave]

Originally Posted by SS904

Advice here will depend on many variables. Either would be an excellent choice if you're starting from scratch in the DSLR or SLR market. I am a Canon guy. Have been, will be. There are times when Brand X produces a body that has better (insert better feature here) than brand Y and the photo boards light up with people making nats-ass comparisons. Whatever. I have considerable money tied up in Canon lenses, so unless I win the lottery or get a pro photographer contract (about as likely as me getting a factory Superbike ride), then it just makes no sense to ever change systems. Systems being the key here. Both Nikon and Canon offer a dizzying array of gear including lenses and flashes. With future expansion in mind, there is more to consider than what body to buy. If you already own Canon or Nikon lenses (or other equipment) then go with that choice. If not, go with the camera that feels best in your hands. I personally like the Canon control dial over the Nikon thumb wheel. I also prefer the high end Canon lenses over the few Nikon equivalents I've handled. I hear Nikon has a better flash system. That may be something to consider if you are planning on a lot of flash photography. Just to note, I am not talking about the pop-up pen light that sits on top of either body, I mean proper speedlights or flash guns when I mention flash. They will both take astounding pictures if you also do your part!

Hopefully I didn’t make it harder for you! Buy the one you like best. Did you have specific questions about either body?

I couldnt agree with these comments more. I go through the very same things when Brand-X intros a new body or whatever, but ultimately with an investment in Canon glass, and I know the Canon "method" I dont want to change. And I wont. The thing is, as long as you buy from a company that makes serious cameras, you'll be ok, because its their bread and butter, and they wont stop making glass, or parts for them anytime soon.

[dubyas]

I love my canon glass, and if your shooting bikes check out the new Canon 7d not much more than the 50d! Very fast!