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nikon d60 vs. canon xsi--Costco shopper needs help

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mdemusis

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I am ready for my first DSLR and after weeks of obsessing have it down to these two. I plan to buy at Costco both because of of price and their unbeatable return policy, so here's what they offer:

Although the Canon package is more expensive ($750 versus $599) I lean toward the Xsi--I prefer the menus slightly, and Canon's high ISO is better, right? (My main reason for upgrading is to get better indoor, natural light, non-flash pics, plus indoor sports photos of my kids = better ISO performance). But the 2 kit lenses which Costco offers push me toward the d60. Both cameras come with a IS or VR 18-55, but the 55-200 Canon lens is not IS, whereas the Nikkor one is VR.

This is a strike against the XSi, right? But how big of one? I see myself using this 55-200ish lens at my kids' games, and birdwatching, and not always with a tripod. I don't see myself buying an additional lens right away. I've read the mixed reviews of the Canon 18-55 kit lens but it seems like the IS one is better than the older non-IS one, right?

Anything else you can think of that I should consider? Thank you all for your time and advice...

Michele
 
As far as quality goes, you won't go wrong with either of these camera's. Both will serve you just fine. I shoot Pentax and cannot comment on the handling of either of these cameras but in general, I'd opt for the image stabilized lenses in Nikon kit. Also, keep in mind that while a 50-200mm lens seems like a long telephoto, for sports and birds, you will find yourself wanting more reach. A better choice might be to look at getting just the camera with the basic 18-55 kit lesn and opt for a second lens in the 70-300mm range.

But just starting out, either of these will serve you well. Buy the one that feels the best and you are most comforatble with. You have to enjoy your camera to use, if you are worrying about shoudl I have bought this one ovewr that one, it defeats the purpose of enjoying your photography. :)

--
John
Pentax K100D/K200D, Panasonic LZ8, Oly Stylus
http://www.pbase.com/jglover
 
mdemusis said:
but the 55-200 Canon lens is not IS, whereas the Nikkor one is VR.

This is a strike against the XSi, right? But how big of one? I see
myself using this 55-200ish lens at my kids' games, and birdwatching,
and not always with a tripod.
Click to expand...
For things that move, kids and birds, the IS isn’t going to do much. If the shutter speed is fast enough to catch the action, then IS/VR is of little help. In general, the IS/VR is certainly an advantage.

Neither of the telephoto zooms you mention will be really good for low light sports. Their max apertures are too slow.
mdemusis said:
I don't see myself buying an
additional lens right away. I've read the mixed reviews of the Canon
18-55 kit lens but it seems like the IS one is better than the older
non-IS one, right?
Click to expand...
Yes, the 18-55 mm IS is better than the older non-IS model.

Brian A.
 
thanks everybody...appreciate your advice...off to Costco I go (probably for the Canon I think, especially if the tele lens is in fact IS, we'll see)
 
You're not really listening.

The two lenses let in little light, you need faster lenses (larger aperture) to suck in more light.

At th every least grab an 85/1.8 or a 50/1.8.

you kit lenses at ISO800 are like the Panasonic LX3 at ISO 200 or 400 (close enough) because the kit lens is f/2.5 (and quickly goes to 5.6), the LX3 is f/2.
mdemusis said:
thanks everybody...appreciate your advice...off to Costco I go
(probably for the Canon I think, especially if the tele lens is in
fact IS, we'll see)
Click to expand...
--
***********************************************
Please visit my gallery at http://www.pbase.com/alfisti
Pentax Lens examples at http://www.pbase.com/alfisti/images_by_lens
Updated August '08
 
The two lenses let in little light, you need faster lenses (larger aperture) to suck in more light.
At th every least grab an 85/1.8 or a 50/1.8.

Good suggestion. Not at CostCo though.

$750 for the 2 lens kit + a 2gig card with excellent return policy that's available locally is really hard to beat.

you kit lenses at ISO800 are like the Panasonic LX3 at ISO 200 or 400 (close enough) because the kit lens is f/2.5 (and quickly goes to 5.6), the LX3 is f/2.

That's not correct. You're not taking into acccount the difference in sensor area.
 
It is correct. At 55mm the kit lens is f/5.6 or two and a half stops slower than the LX3 at f/2. The difference in ISO performance is about 2 1/2 stops.
Outside said:
The two lenses let in little light, you need faster lenses (larger
aperture) to suck in more light.
At th every least grab an 85/1.8 or a 50/1.8.

Good suggestion. Not at CostCo though.
$750 for the 2 lens kit + a 2gig card with excellent return policy
that's available locally is really hard to beat.

you kit lenses at ISO800 are like the Panasonic LX3 at ISO 200 or 400
(close enough) because the kit lens is f/2.5 (and quickly goes to
5.6), the LX3 is f/2.

That's not correct. You're not taking into acccount the difference in
sensor area.
Click to expand...
--
***********************************************
Please visit my gallery at http://www.pbase.com/alfisti
Pentax Lens examples at http://www.pbase.com/alfisti/images_by_lens
Updated August '08
 
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