Nikon D3000 Takes Center Stage – How Does It Stack Up Against the Canon Rebel XSi

gearnut — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:23:39 +0000

Nikon D3000 Entry Level DSLR Camera

Nikon has come out with their newest challenger in the “cheap DSLR” market. The new Nikon D3000 is now on the scene.
This is really a great time to purchase your first DSLR, because the prices of new cameras are at an all time low.
You can get the new Nikon D3000 for about $599, or if you are a Canon fan, the Canon Rebel XSi can be had for about $629. Both of these would include the manufacturer’s kit lens, which in both cases is a 18-55mm IS or VR lens (IS is Canon’s terminology for “image stabilization” and VR is Nikon’s term for “vibration reduction”).
I have watched with amusement over the past few years as one camera buyer after the other asks the same question, “Which camera should I buy, the Canon or the Nikon?”
My response… DOESN’T MATTER!
Why? ‘Cause they are both excellent. I personally came down on the Canon side, but I am seriously thinking about getting the Nikon D3000 because I know it will be a fantastic camera.

Baby Black Swallowtail Caterpillar (taken with a Canon 30D)

I started with the first Canon Rebel – the 300D. I was pleased as punch with it. But at the time I spent months deciding whether the Nikon D40 was better. My friend has the D40 and loves it. I tried it out, and I loved it, too. Both were terrific for the type of camera that they are. They produced excellent prints of the photos (and still do).
By the way, you can still get a Nikon D40 even though Nikon has quit making them. There are still some new models on the warehouse shelves at great prices. You can also still purchase the Nikon D60 (also very cheap) which has many of the same specifications as the new Nikon D3000.
Make sure you check my comparison of the Canon Rebel XSi and the Nikon D3000 at www.digital-photographic-resources.com.

Which Canon Digital Rebel is Best – XSi, T1i, Or X1i?

gearnut — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:34:10 +0000

Canon Rebel XSi

First, allow me to set your mind at ease. There is no “best” camera at this basic DSLR entry level. Just make sure you stick with a major manufacturer like Canon.

But don’t despair. There are some GREAT cameras to choose from.

What you must do is settle within yourself what your priorities are in buying a new Digital Rebel.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. But you probably already know. There is no Rebel X1i… yet.

I have no idea how these camera makers come up with their camera names, but it is certainly confusing, isn’t it?

There is a long line of Digital Rebels, beginning with the original Digital Rebel 300D. At that time, there were no 3 character combinations to remember like XSi, XT1, or JQ2. These letters are hard to keep in mind if you don’t already own one of the cameras they represent. One thing that has remained constant is the number system that Canon uses. It started with the Rebel 300D and each new entry has added 50. So there was the Digital Rebel 350D, 400D, and now we are up to the 500D which is the T1i.

So this article is really about whether you should buy a Digital Rebel 450D or 500D.

Historically, Canon has added to the Rebel line of cameras about every 2 years.

Each new entry has had some very significant upgrades from the previous model.

That is, until you get to the most recent offering, which hit the market only about a year after the previous version.

Pear Portrait

The result is, in many experts’ opinions, that the upgrades in the Rebel T1i are not enough to warrant an individual to buy the newest model.

Now, there are a couple of very valid reasons to buy the newer version of the Rebel:

You are buying your first DSLR, and you simply want the newest model you can get.
You want a DSLR that has video capture.
Money is no object for you, and you just want a decent backup camera.

I have checked with some very reliable sources to come to the conclusion that the previous version of Digital Rebel (the XSi) is a very reliable, well featured digital camera that takes photos that are considered among the best at this level and price range.

There are a few differences that I will note:

12.2 megapixels vs 15.1 megapixels (not significant at all considering the ability to print super large pictures from either)
DIGIC 4 processor vs DIGIC III processor (while the DIGIC 4 is better, unless you are a pixel prude, you will not be able to tell the difference)
3″ LCD with a resolution of about 930,000 pixels vs 3: LCD with a resolution of about 230,000 pixels (while this seems significant, what you see on the LCD panel should not drive your decision to purchase)
Creative Auto is available only on the newer model (this is a way to alter the output of your camera by added “photo filters” – some reviews have stated that the output is not consistent… I prefer to make these changes in photoshop or some other processing software)
Video Capture is available only on the newer model (while this may be a deciding factor for you, reviews have had mixed feelings about the video capabilities, especially the lack of a good sound recorder)

OK, that sounds like I am totally against the Digital Rebel T1i.

But it ain’t so.

Tiger Swallowtail

I think that both cameras would be a fantastic fit for anyone except the extreme amateur or the professional photographer.

Digital Rebels have always given their owners fantastic images. Mine certainly did. And these two cameras are no different. Both are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Hopefully you are better informed now than you were. Buying a new camera has always been an exciting venture for me. There are so many techy options and features that the pro reviewers look at. But in my opinion, it all boils down to this – will the camera do what you want it to do.

In this case, either the Rebel XSi or T1i will. There is more info at http://www.digital-photographic-resources.com, including product pictures and features.

I am also an amateur photographer. You can see some examples of my photography at http://www.thewayeyeseeit.net. Many of the pictures displayed are taken with a Rebel.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wayne_Rasku

Cameras-n- Stuff » Canon Digital Rebel XSi

Nikon D3000 Takes Center Stage – How Does It Stack Up Against the Canon Rebel XSi

Which Canon Digital Rebel is Best – XSi, T1i, Or X1i?