Nikon D300s or Canon T2i?

[Richard Uchytil439739]

I have a Sony H50 which I've loved but I'm ready to move up. I am not a professional nor will I ever be taking photos where I'll want a $7000 camera. I want to carry as little gear as possible, which means I want the camera to do video too. Doesn't have to be 1080. The video off my Sony is perfectly acceptable, so anything that good or better is fine. I love to take landscape and nature photos, create panoramas and other multi-image photos, and will also be taking a lot of family photos which includes them standing as well as doing fast things - sports, amusement park rides, running, jumping, etc. ALSO, I do take a lot of low light photos, mostly indoors at events. I'd rather not use a flash if I can get away with it, I find I can get better candid photos that way. And I have both Lightroom and Photoshop, and am pretty good at them.

I looked around a lot and both the Nikon D300s and Canon T2i seem to fit what I'm looking for, plus they got good reviews. I saw someone say the Canon would be great when paired with a good lens, implying what it comes with isn't good. I'm no perfectionist and most likely that lens would be good enough for me - at least at first until I could save up for some other lenses. Eventually I would like to get a really nice telephoto lens.

I found some good deals on Best Buy for these cameras with a lens or two. I'm leaning towards the Nikon but it's almost double the price of the Canon. Any thoughts? Thanks tons!!

 

[dradam]

To be honest, you are comparing a nicely equiped Toyota Corola to a BMW. The T2i is an entry level camera with a more menu based control scheme, a dimmer pentamirror viewfinder, and a cheaper, smaller, less rugged plastic body. The D300s, on the other hand, is a professional level camera with a button based controll system, a bigger, brighter pentaprisim viewfinder, and a bigger, heavier weather sealed metal body.

The choice between these two is one of budget. If you can afford the D300s you will certainly be getting a better camera (and could also consider a Canon 7D). If you would prefer spending T2i money you will still be getting a wonderful camera (and could also consider the Nikon D5000 or D90)

 

[Canis_Majoris]

Two totally different beasts. The Canon 7D is the D300s equivalent really.

The D300s is about twice the price of the T2i, so it depends which price bracket you're aiming for. The 7D and D300s are pretty similar really, the 7D has more MP and better video, but the D300s has it's share of fans. Either would be a great camera.

If you're looking at cheaper stuff then the Nikon D90 is a superb camera for the money, very good IQ and great noise handling at higher ISOs.

I own the 7D so I'm probably biased, but if I were shopping at the top end of the scale I'd go for the 7D (I had to choose out of the D300s and the 7D not so long back), but if I were shopping at the cheaper end of the scale I reckon I'd go for the D90. They always get raved about and I've just always fancied one

 

[PaulRivers]

The d3000, or even the d90, is substantially heavier than the t2i, if the weight matters to you.

 

[dradam]

The d3000, or even the d90, is substantially heavier than the t2i, if the weight matters to you.

D3000 is the same weight as the T2i, the D90 is about 40% heavier, and the D300s is almost twice as heavy.

The D3000 is not the same camera as the D300 or D300s

 

[PaulRivers]

The d3000, or even the d90, is substantially heavier than the t2i, if the weight matters to you.

D3000 is the same weight as the T2i, the D90 is about 40% heavier, and the D300s is almost twice as heavy.

The D3000 is not the same camera as the D300 or D300s

Wow, I looked it up and I'm surprised to say it looks like you're right. Nikon says "Approx. Weight 16.1 oz. (485g)" for the D3000, Canon says "Approx. 18.7 oz. 530g (CIPA standard, includes battery and memory card.)" for the t2i, if you figure the Nikon figure doesn't include the battery and memory card they're about the same. For the D90, Nikon says "Approx. Weight 22 oz. (620g)".

I might have assumed to far - what I can say for certain, having handled both, one this very week, is that the Nikon D90 is notably heavier than the Canon t1i.

 

[dradam]

The d3000, or even the d90, is substantially heavier than the t2i, if the weight matters to you.

D3000 is the same weight as the T2i, the D90 is about 40% heavier, and the D300s is almost twice as heavy.

The D3000 is not the same camera as the D300 or D300s

Wow, I looked it up and I'm surprised to say it looks like you're right. Nikon says "Approx. Weight 16.1 oz. (485g)" for the D3000, Canon says "Approx. 18.7 oz. 530g (CIPA standard, includes battery and memory card.)" for the t2i, if you figure the Nikon figure doesn't include the battery and memory card they're about the same. For the D90, Nikon says "Approx. Weight 22 oz. (620g)".

I might have assumed to far - what I can say for certain, having handled both, one this very week, is that the Nikon D90 is notably heavier than the Canon t1i.

I was simply going by the weights quoted on this site (these all include battery and are grouped by what I believe are the most direct comparisons between the two companies lines)

XS (1000D) - 502g
D3000 - 536g

T2i (550D) - 530g
D5000 - 590g

50D - 822g
D90 - 703g

7D - 860g
D300s - 930g

So yes, the Nikons do tend to be heavier, but not significantly so when you compare similar class models.

 

[Drofnad]

Hmmm, reading your query, I think you might be more happy
for less $$$ with the Pentax K-x (same sensor as Nikon's D90/300),
which has gotten good reviews, and is a nice small, light camera.
Check out this site's review, e.g..
There ARE other camera makers than NiCanoNikon.

Also consider Panasonic's G* series!

--dl*
====

 

[Leswick]

IMO D90 would be the choice. But, you'll be better served if you screen the lenses for quality. Most cameras (Canon and Nikon) come with so so kit lenses and by doing research you could do better, and often without spending more. I'm assuming that you like to get a decent IQ. Disregard if that's not your mo.

I've been purchasing camera bodies and lenses for 40 yrs and several are close to this age. Yet, the wow factor has not been diminished.

Leswick

 

[yesman12]

to be honest, you are better off with the Pentax K-x

Less money and better High ISO performance.

The Nikon D300 is far better camera in terms of functions than either the Pentax or the Canon, (not necessirly in terms of IQ) but the value of the Pentax cannot be bettered.

--
A picture is worth a thousand words but talk is cheap.
Best regards
Nick

 

[KingDon]

I have a Sony H50 which I've loved but I'm ready to move up. I am not a professional nor will I ever be taking photos where I'll want a $7000 camera. I want to carry as little gear as possible, which means I want the camera to do video too. Doesn't have to be 1080. The video off my Sony is perfectly acceptable, so anything that good or better is fine. I love to take landscape and nature photos, create panoramas and other multi-image photos, and will also be taking a lot of family photos which includes them standing as well as doing fast things - sports, amusement park rides, running, jumping, etc. ALSO, I do take a lot of low light photos, mostly indoors at events. I'd rather not use a flash if I can get away with it, I find I can get better candid photos that way. And I have both Lightroom and Photoshop, and am pretty good at them.

Nex3/5 are coming to stores within the new few weeks.

(1) They are aimed at new users who are used to p&s like you.

(2) They are much smaller and lighter than even the smallest DSLRs.

(3) They do auto focus and auto exposure during video (the DSLRs will be manual focus during video).

(4) They do in-camera sweep panorama (something you want to do anyway)

(5) They can do 7 fps with focus fixed at first shot (2.5 fps with continuous focus).

(6) Handheld HDR will get you best dynamic range when you need it.

(7) They have the best low-light high ISO performance according to IR review. See http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/NEX5/NEX5IMATEST.HTM

(8) They offer other unique features that can improve low light performance in some situations (Hand-held night shot and anti-blur mode where the camera will rapidly take 6 photos and combine them for even better low-light performance. Have a look at this post and how ABM may work even when subject isn't still.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1037&message=35419900

Regular ISO 6400
F5 1/4sec



Anti-Motion blur mode
ISO 6400 F5 1/4sec

 

[Richard Uchytil439739]

I saw those, the Nex 5 looks very interesting. I'm very curious about it and will go check it out when I get a chance. It's a tough choice, keep a good P&S or step up to a mid-level DSLR and then have a bunch of lenses I'm carrying with myself all the time. haha

Thanks to everyone for the advice, this has been very helpful!!