Nikon vs. Canon
Oh my god! If I hear that question again I think I’ll scream!
Yes, I use one of these brands. I’ve probably referenced which one in other posts, but I won’t do it here. Let’s cut to the chase: Both are equally great! I know, I know, that’s sacrilegious! You HAVE to have a favorite and then become a zealot for it. Guess what, I do have a favorite, but I have no zeal. Why do I have a favorite? Because when I was about 18 years old (a very long time ago), I bought one. I’ve been using that brand ever since.
A lot has changed in that time. Both have become much better (they were always great, by the way), they both have expanded their product line to appeal to photographers at all levels of skill. They both make terrific lenses, and all the accessories you could ever want. Third parties support both equally.
For the most part, they even have the same controls on their competing models – pretty much in the same location.
They even have the same number of letters in their name. So what’s the difference?
Are you ready? Here it comes… (I hope I don’t get struck by lightning!)
What’s the difference? NOTHING!
Changing brands will do absolutely nothing to improve your photography. If you are a lousy photographer, switching brands will not help. If you’re a great photographer, switching brands will do nothing to your photography either (once you get familiar with your new camera and lenses).
Don’t get me wrong – the quality of your equipment does matter. Switching from a cheap camera with inferior lenses to one of these (and other) great brands MIGHT make a difference in the quality of your images. For most people, though, the limitation is in their ability, not their equipment. Equipment doesn’t create the composition, you do. It doesn’t perceive an interesting subject, you do. It doesn’t have ‘an eye’, you do.
Once you’ve developed your sense of composition, your ‘eye’, then you could take great photos with a cheap, plastic camera. Without that ability, all you’ll get with an expensive camera is a dull, uninteresting (although well focused and probably well exposed) snapshot.
Holga’s and Diana’s will still rock in 40 years (if you can still get film for them)…
On a serious note, if you’re just getting started, go to a good camera shop and handle the different brands of cameras. Be sure to handle similar models. Don’t compare a $4000 model to a $800 model of a different brand. Pick the one that feels the most comfortable in your hands. The easiest to look through and compose. Compare the manual mode controls and see if you care for one over the other. Don’t let the salesperson influence you. (They will, no doubt, have their personal favorite too.) If you already have one, and you just don’t think it’s comfortable, be sure you’ve used it enough to become familiar with it. Don’t confuse lack of familiarity with poor design. Also, don’t kill yourself financially! If you’re still deciding which brand to buy, you probably don’t need the top of the line, pro model.
Develop your skills first, then upgrade your gear. Photography is about you, not equipment.