D5000 or Canon XS or T1i?

I currently have a Canon XS but have been interested is some of those small improvements/benefits of either the Nikon D5000, or the Canon T1i. I've have some feedback from the Canon folks, but now I'd like to hear from the other side. In commenting on the Nikon D5000, please realize that I'm well aware that I'd be changing ALL my gear to go Nikon. I'm not afraid to do this IF the Nikon is the better photo tool. I'm a very happy former 35mm Nikon owner/user, and only defected to Canon when they offered their first Digital Rebel for the right price. So I have had experience in switching brands once before.

So let's just talk...the "better" camera (for my needs) here. Both seem to get positive reviews almost anywhere you find them. I want to hear from real users now.
Thanks for your comments.

Maybe you should start with what your needs are? Just to give the users a point to focus on.

BobT said:

I currently have a Canon XS but have been interested is some of those small improvements/benefits of either the Nikon D5000, or the Canon T1i. I've have some feedback from the Canon folks, but now I'd like to hear from the other side. In commenting on the Nikon D5000, please realize that I'm well aware that I'd be changing ALL my gear to go Nikon. I'm not afraid to do this IF the Nikon is the better photo tool. I'm a very happy former 35mm Nikon owner/user, and only defected to Canon when they offered their first Digital Rebel for the right price. So I have had experience in switching brands once before.

So let's just talk...the "better" camera (for my needs) here. Both seem to get positive reviews almost anywhere you find them. I want to hear from real users now.
Thanks for your comments.

Click to expand...

I've used both a lot of Canons and Nikons. I currently have a D5000. Both brands will deliver so I don't know if you should jump ship. I guess I have the Nikon because I just love the 16-85VR lens as my main lens. It's affordable, wide, and has a little bit of reach...... and it is sharp corner to corner at all focal lengths. Canon has nothing as good IMO.

D5000's IQ is very good up to ISO3200 if you are not a pixel peeper and if you do a bit of PP. Here are a few of my recent shots:





















































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Stephen

Canon's XS camera is a good camera and frankly I really don't think you will see a large difference in image quality between any of the cameras your considering be it Nikon or the Canon (unless your into printing large copies of photos).

I think your lens selection would make a bigger difference then the camera body. At the lower price spectrum I don't think Canon has anything in it's lens arsenal that can compete with nikons low price lenses.

On the other hand if you have the money for Canons L lenses stick with the canon . You already have a Canon system so why spend money on a whole new system ?

Personally I think that Nikons photography philosophy ( to me, nikons are more natural in their photo taking abilities then canons) makes more sense in what photography should be then Canons. But photography is subjective in nature so as they say...beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

Hi image quality little if any gain but buy some good glass and you'll see some difference.

I had a XS, it is a great little DSLR. You can expect 1 stop advantage on ISO on the D5000 and the T2i. I wouldn't recommend the T1i because it is very close to your XS.

With D5000, you have a dumb movie mode good for landscape video, swivel LCD. With T2i, you get slightly better video. If video is important, you should try the Sony NEX.

As you said, the improvements over your XS are "small", so why don't you wait for the next generation DSLR or mirrorless alternatives from Sony/Oly/Panny?