I am currently using the Canon Rebel XT/350D via my photography class in college. I have found a website that has decently priced cameras, and I have the following options:
The Canon XTI with standard 18-55 Kit Lens
Nikon D40 with the 18-55mm VR kit lens and 55-200mm Lenses
or the Nikon D60 with the 18-55 VR kit lens, all for roughly the same price.
I like the extra lens with the d40, but will the lower MPixels be sufficient?
I basically want to take pictures of everyday things, Extreme sports wont really be my thing, but landscapes, nature, etc will be. Also Macro photos as well. I am wondering which camera will do the trick.
Thanks in advance.
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All these cameras you’re looking at have received excellent marks in tests and reviews, the D40 was introduced some time ago and the only question you raise yourself is the megapixel count. After using a digital SLR with the same 6 Megapixel sensor myself (Konica Minolta 7D) and you’re into landscapes and nature like I am, you will really want to have 10 Megapixels. In landscapes and nature photography that really counts when you want the little extra sting in the pictures you take. I agree I’m not so impressed by the megapixel race as there is a lot more to it, but if you like to do a real enlargements its useful.
I use a lab here in Sweden that deliver 20×30 inch or 28×40 inch photographs for $16 respectively $32 US and I really need the extra megapixel in that case. Although I can agree that if you have 10megapixels in a SLR as the sensor is larger, its not neccessary to go to 14 or more.
Last reviews I read the Nikon D60 toped the Canon but they are fairly equal.
The Nikon D40, in my opinion, wins HANDS DOWN!
Although this is not commonly known in the public sector, megapixels are often used as a sales gimic by companies – they try selling you a 12MP camera, but even a 4MP would suffice!
I have printed amazingly high quality A3’s with the D40, and they come out perfect.
As for the choice between D40 and D40x…the D40x is a waste of money – its really not any better than the D40 – but as I said, because the spec is higher, it is supposidly ‘better’.
My first DSLR was a Nikon D40 and the two lenses you want, and I still use it even over my Nikon D80 occasionally – it is truely a wonderful piece of equipment.
although 6.1 megs will yield nice images (most people will not tell the difference between that and the higher meg count cameras), since you have the money, i would narrow it down to the xti and d60. you can get an extra lens later. if you are using a canon now, how does it feel overall? if you like it, you may want to stick with it. it is a solid camera and a great learning tool as you know. the same thing must be said for it’s counterpart. go check out the d60 and hold it in your hands.
it sounds as though you are beginning the photography journey. any of these cameras can most definitely do the trick. it’s up to you to master your setup and produce stunning images.
many of my images at door38.com were shot with an xti.
if you haven’t already, check out b & h photo, video, pro audio
good luck!
p.s., don’t let printing 8×10’s be a factor in your camera selection. i solid photographer will keep that in mind. for example. you can shoot to accomodate or if you have to, add borders in post.
Seeing your taking college classes you must be printing 8×10. The d40 isn’t going to give you any room to crop the images on the large prints. The d40x isn’t worth the money.
I would get the d60 over the d40 just because you will be printing large images giving you the option of cropping 25% of the image is really handy.
Rememebr that your d60 with the larger images making a “digital zoom” over the d40
the canon xti is nice but it’s old like the d40.
macro photos you need a macro lens They will do, it just fine.
What about the sony a300? that comes with a 18-70 with the kit. That has the same sensor as the nikon d80.
Over all i would pick the
the best weight,menu,view finder and fit my hand. out of the d60 ,xti,a300
The Nikon D40 lacks certain functions, for instance it can’t bracket shots.
More megapixels means you can print bigger, that’s all, nothing else. Without adding or removing pixels a 6Mp camera will print a tad over A4, a 10Mp camera will print A3+. Of course you can print way bigger than that, but you will have to add pixels (interpolating).
I have two Pentax DSLR’s a *ist DS (6Mp) and a K10D (10Mp) and I can use the same lens with them both, printed at A4 there is no difference in the pictures even with a magnifying glass, at A3 you don’t need the magnifying glass you can see the improvement. Of course with the 10Mp you can crop nearly half the picture away and still have the same number of pixels as the 6Mp camera.
From time to time they get factory grade 1 refurbs, come complete with all the software, leads etc. and have a full manufacturers warranty. At the begining of June they had 100 refurbed Pentax K10D c/w 18 – 55mm lens for £365.00. Needless to say they lasted less than a week.