[slocookn]

I am sure that this has been danced around before. That said, It may have been a while and this will be my first major camera purchase. I am aware that I will have to choose sides and invest in lenses from only one of these companies.

I will shoot a mix of things. I have a 2 year old daughter and I spend a lot of time out doors.

I know they are both good cameras. I am looking for any suggestions!

Thanks,
Steve

[Liam O'Neill]

Do nothing at all right now. Wait to see what Canon (and maybe Nikon) do at the PMA show in early March. It's one of the two big camera shows in the industry. Canon in particular like to wait for these shows to announce new cameras, so expect news from them in the next week or so. They will almost certainly have a new DSLR or two this year, and there is a strong feeling they will be replacing the 30D.

[Dabhand16]

Hi Slocookn . Both of these cameras will give you excellent results. The best advice I can offer is to get your hands on them and see which one feels right for you. Check out how the settings (shutter speed, apature, white balance, ISO etc) are accessed and adjusted. you will find that one of them will feel better for you than the other. This is the one to go for.

I do not like having to go through menus to alter settings. I like more direct access. You might be the opposite. It is a very personal choice.

The canon 30D is expected to be replaced shortly by the 40D. This may be worth waitng for, because if you opt for Canon, the 30D will start to get cheaper, both new and because many 30D owners might be upgrading, there will probably be more used examples around too. Obviously, the 40D might be what you want anyway.

With either camera you could buy the body only and get a third party lens, but I would suggest you first sort out what canera you are going to get, and then think about what lens to match it up with.

Don't make your decision at the first visit to the shop. Take your time, you are choosing for life!

[silver]

really, go hold + play with any camera you are considering

I am curious why your list of possibles doesn't contain the 400d or the d80,. not saying it should just trying to understand what you are wanting

Sil

[VinnyP]

If you are starting out with SLR photography then the lenses are going to make a big dent in your wallet. The 30D can be had a little cheaper so that might be a consideration. If it's not I will stick my neck out and say IMV the D200 is capable of better results, has more features and is more rugged and weatherproof than the lighter to carry 30D but the quality of pictures is far more dependent on the lenses and the way the camera handles.
As has been said both cameras are excellent and it will come down to personal preference as to which one you get. Trying them both will be the only way.

[slocookn]

Originally Posted by silver

really, go hold + play with any camera you are considering

I am curious why your list of possibles doesn't contain the 400d or the d80,. not saying it should just trying to understand what you are wanting

Sil

I felt that the 30d and d200 were on the same playing field. I was not familiar with the 400d. As this will be my first camera of this caliber, I am looking to find a camera I can grow with and not be frustrated by design or lack of calibration. I have a friend who is a serious professional who has led me this far. He stays very busy so We only get to chat on the phone every now and then. He is a nikon kinda guy and has been very unbiased in educating me.

I will be shooting a lot of nature, landscape, in general a lot of low light conditions. And a little of everything else until I find my forte'. This will be a hobby to start out. So who knows where it will lead.

Thanks,
Steve

[Dave]

In my opinion I would put the Canon 30D in the same market as the Nikon D80. The Nikon D200 is more biased towards the semi pro , with many of the controls to hand to change settings on the camera, without dropping into menus etc. Not essential for most non pro's, but may be of benefit down the line if you ever take the next step ?

As stated by others there is not a massive difference between models & more time should be spent deciding which of the lenses you prefer, as this is where you will spend more of your money in the long term. This would then help you decide on which brand of camera to go for.

Some of these threads may help
CANON 400D, 5D, NIKON D80, D200, would you change....
Help with DSLR choice - Canon 5D, Nikon D200 ?
What camera for £1200? Canon EOS 30D? Any other?

[silver]

there are differences in the lens lineups, no doubt but most lenses are available for either,. or most lenses the average user (if there's such a thing) are likely to use are available for either?

Sil

[slocookn]

Originally Posted by slocookn

I felt that the 30d and d200 were on the same playing field. I was not familiar with the 400d. As this will be my first camera of this caliber, I am looking to find a camera I can grow with and not be frustrated by design or lack of calibration. I have a friend who is a serious professional who has led me this far. He stays very busy so We only get to chat on the phone every now and then. He is a nikon kinda guy and has been very unbiased in educating me.

I will be shooting a lot of nature, landscape, in general a lot of low light conditions. And a little of everything else until I find my forte'. This will be a hobby to start out. So who knows where it will lead.

Thanks,
Steve

Due to my own ignorance.....I have always heard the 400d referred to as the XTI...(NEW). I thought the 30d has a better body. Not as many pixels but a better sensor. Is this correct?

[silver]

I think it's called different things between the US + UK,. same camera

Sil

[slocookn]

I have decided to wait on buying a new camera until the newest canon is offered. I will save more money between now and then and make my final decision then. I am leaning toward a 30d or nikon d200 and using the extra money for glass. Prices on these models should drop in price....HMMMMMMMMMMMM...


Thanks for all the advise,
Steve

P.S. I would still look forward to any other advise or comparison.

[Daeve]

As you will probably be happy with either choice then ergonomics should be a high consideration. I played with a few Canons and Nikons in the shop prior to my first purchase (a D50) and again recently when I upgraded (D200). For me, and it is personal choice, the Nikon "fitted" my hand better with the Canons not being comfortable at all. I have quite big hands and the Nikon were far more comfortable *for me*.

Go and play with some for a while in a shop and see which manufacturer suits your hands - then decide after all you;ll be holding it a lot!

[slocookn]

I did go ahead and order a D200 with a 18-200mm vr from B&H here in the U.S.A.

Thanks for all of the advise. Will be posting pictures soon!

Thanks again,
Steve

[Soupdragon]

I thought this was a joke thread when I read the title!
I have not read all the posts but, the D200 is strides ahead of the 30D.

[stepheno]

Originally Posted by Soupdragon

I thought this was a joke thread when I read the title!
I have not read all the posts but, the D200 is strides ahead of the 30D.

Ahead maybe, but strides? On what basis do you make that assumption? Each camera has it's own merits and both are very good - specs alone do not necessarily make one camera better than another.