Canon vs Nikon

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Flutterby
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Canon vs Nikon

Post by Flutterby »

Tue Feb 07, 2012

By Jaclyn Stephenson - Getaway Magazine, 7 Feb 2012

Recently we asked our readers whether they preferred to use a Nikon or a Canon. The results have been tallied and here are the findings.

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While it seems readers favour Nikon, it’s hard to tell which one is actually the best. Canon and Nikon are both multi-billion dollar optical companies that have been making some of the finest optics for consumers, military and industrial applications for decades. They compete so heavily against each other in the same market that if one really were the best, the other would have gone out of business long ago. These companies tend to merely leapfrog one another in terms of who comes out top at the end of each year.

The facts

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Which camera the is most popular?

Experts and users reviewed Canon and Nikon DSLRs worldwide. In looking at reviews and calculating an average score out of 10 points between 2006 and 2011, this is what they rated.

Users

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Although it’s close, Nikon is the users’ favourite. But what do the experts say?

Experts

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There is not much between the two brands, as the experts believe that both cameras are deservedly good at an average of 8.7 for Canon and 8.6 for Nikon. However, on average Nikon is the most popular.

Who has the bigger global market share?

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Canon is the clear winner in the sales category, but while its massive sales volume tips the scales in its favour, it has no effect on camera users’ opinion on both brands, with Nikon only just eeking out a win in the popularity contest.

Conclusion
After all is said and done, it really is hard to pick a clear winner: the two brands are technically as good as one other and the determining factor comes down to personal taste.

Buyer’s tip

If you don’t have a favourite, look at what each company is offering at the time of you investing in equipment. For example, value for money, compatibility, flexibility and what you are personally used to. This will allow you to make the best decision that suits you.


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Dewi
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Re: Canon vs Nikon

Post by Dewi »

As a lifelong Nikon user, I'm bound to be a little biased, however, when I worked in Antarctica, I never had any problems with mine in cold weather, whereas all the other makes seemed to have issues with them at some point. Not sure if this was down to how individuals look after their gear, or that they were not tough enough for the job in hand.

I dropped my Nikon in KZN last July. The viewfinder adjustment snapped off, so I cannot see if the pics are in focus through it or see the settings. I took most of my KZN pics and all of my KTP pics "blind". That's how much I trust the camera to do it's job.

I'll get round to getting it fixed soon though. :lol:

Personally, I think it's down to the individual's choice as to which make to go for. As long as you are happy with the gear you buy, from a cheap mik en druk to top of the range stuff, it's what you are comfortable with that really counts.


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Penga Ndlovu
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Re: Canon vs Nikon

Post by Penga Ndlovu »

Wed Feb 08, 2012
Dewi wrote: Personally, I think it's down to the individual's choice as to which make to go for. As long as you are happy with the gear you buy, from a cheap mik en druk to top of the range stuff, it's what you are comfortable with that really counts.
And that is the way it is DEWI. ;-)

If it suits you and you like it it fits.


ceruleanwildfire
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Re: Canon vs Nikon

Post by ceruleanwildfire »

My age old answer to this question is; "Both cameras are really good, but which one is being used on the ISS"?

And sales numbers don't count; "Toyota is one of the most sold brand of car, but wouldn't you rather have a Lamborghini"?


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Flutterby
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Re: Canon vs Nikon

Post by Flutterby »

But a Lamborghini is way more expensive than a Toyota!! :lol:

Aren't the cameras more or less in the same price bracket?


ceruleanwildfire
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Re: Canon vs Nikon

Post by ceruleanwildfire »

Flutterby wrote:But a Lamborghini is way more expensive than a Toyota!! :lol:

Aren't the cameras more a less in the same price bracket?
I know. That's the weird part. Goes to show that there's a lot of sheepish behaviour out there. :twisted:


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Flutterby
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Re: Canon vs Nikon

Post by Flutterby »

Thu Feb 09, 2012

Are you saying Canon users are sheep?? :evil: :lol:


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Re: Canon vs Nikon

Post by ceruleanwildfire »

Given the similarity in functionality, quality and usability of the two brands, why is it Canon sells more cameras?

I say Baaaaaaaa! :twisted:

Joking aside. Sales figures really do not define which is a better camera, only which company has better brand marketing. Then you still need to take into account the sheep factor, which sorry Flutterby, is really a valid factor. You see it on this forum and many other, "Which is a better camera?" or "Canon vs. Nikon", etc. Opinions abound and they do have influence on others. I could give many reasons why I prefer my Nikon D300s to the Canon equivalent, but so can a Canon user.

The reality is, if you want to know which is best, do a lot of research and form your own opinion. Some users love light cameras because they can be easily carried around, some like heavy for the added stability. Each person has their own preference in how the camera feels in their hands and how easily accesable the controls are for them. There is no best camera out there for all of us because each of us is an individual with different wants and needs.

I have said what needs to be said and shall now go join the black sheep over in the Nikon pen. Baaaaaaaa!


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Peter Betts
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Re: Canon vs Nikon

Post by Peter Betts »

Sun Feb 12, 2012

Sales mean nothing its what happens in real live situations on the ground in places like in Kruger/Addo/KTP

In the top end pro arena The Nikon D3 announced 7 years ago was revolutionary and wild life pros came over in their droves for its low light performannce ..Then nearly 3 years ago the D3s widened this gap even more and produced Clean images at 3200 ISO (thats NO Noise) then Canon equalled that recently with an announcement of the 1DX which can GO to ISO 204800 (So what with the pixel pitch for 18 M Pixels etc they will only achieve ISO 3200 noise free images)..The D4 Nikon was then announced and can give Noise free Pics at 6400 ISO so its still champ of Low light high ISO shooting with a much better Dynamic Range and tonality.

The Nikon D4 has also been announced with its 2nd card slot with the revolutionary still to hit the shops XQD card which can read 125 mb Sec!!!! and the other slot CF card. The Canon 1DX has the old standard 2 x CF Card slots and Canon users will have to wait for the 2DX which based on history will be in 4 years time to enjoy the Technology which Nikon pros will be using next week!!! :shock:

I sold my D700 because it had a RAW buffer of 16 x 14 BIT RAW images and I ran out many times and lost valuable shots waiting for the buffer to clear. The D3S has 36 and the new Canon 1DX does 40 in 12 bit so to compare apples with apples that translates to about 30 @ 14 bit in the buffer of this camera still to appear. The new Nikon D4 does 70 in 14 Bit and 98 in 12 bit..(Canon is way behind by more than it was 5 months ago)..In a cheetah chase for example with the Nikon flagship you will never run out even if you tried

The new Nikon can AF Lenses @ F8 which means that I can stick a 2x convertor on my 500 f4 and get 1000 F8 and it will auto focus and general auto focusing with faster lenses will be the fastest on the planet. Canon now says they may be able to match this with a Firmware update later on

The only real Wildlife feature that the Canon beats the Nikon Flagship is The 1DX can fire @ 12 FPS and the Nikon D4 @ 10 FPS..hardly a deal breaker and the Nikon will be about R8000 cheaper for FAR more camera and better features thaht wildlife photographers want

I think the more consumer cameras there is no real difference but at the top end Its Nikon all the way as I have experienced for 40 years where not one lens or camera has ever had to go in fora service...I know what my next camera will be :)


mikef
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Re: Canon vs Nikon

Post by mikef »

Sun Feb 12, 2012

Peter I think you are jumping the gun to assume that the D4 will be better for wildlife photography when compared to the 1DX as afaik neither are available yet (excluding pre-production units) and on paper at least based on the specs I have seen the 1DX is ahead of the D4. Until proper reviews are available it would be premature to conclude that one is better than the other. Both seem to be fantastic cameras and unfortunately both out of my price range. Not sure where you got your raw buffer info as I suspect you have been misinformed – even Canon’s current 1D range are 14 bit. :?
Peter Betts wrote: I think the more consumer cameras there is no real difference but at the top end Its Nikon all the way as I have experienced for 40 years where not one lens or camera has ever had to go in fora service...I know what my next camera will be :)
Were you not stating a short while ago on another forum that you would not be changing your D3S for the D4 as you did not consider it to be an improvement? :o :)]


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