[Dabhand16]

Cameras, just like most other things in life are a very personal choice.

When I returned to photography after owning - and still possessing - film pentax, Olympus, Rollie and Bronica cameras, I started with a blank canvas and did lots of research that included the all important getting your hands on the kit and finding out how to set and adjust the various settings. I had no pre-conceived ideas or bias to any brand.

In my budget range, I ended up with a choice between Canon and Nikon, and opted for the Nikon not because I thought it was a better camera, but because it fitted my hands better and I preferred the control layout and adjustment systems.

The end product for me would have been the same, and I suspect that in reality only those with very specific needs would have to opt for a system that would suit those requirements.

The Canon v Nikon debate is nothing more than the Ford v Vauxhall or Sony v Panasonic, and as others have said, once committed to a system, it is very expensive to switch brands, unlike the other examples here.

Ultimately, whether you watch a Sony, drive a Ford or use a Canon, if you get what you want out of it, you are going to be happy and any debate is unlikely to persuade you that you have got it wrong, or others have got it right.

You don't see posts in these forums on this subject much because there is no right or wrong, good or bad, and certainly no blatant brand bashing because I suspect most members accept that what is right for one person might not be right for another, therefore stifling debate.