Find the DSLR camera that is perfect for your needs!
7D vs D300s
Canon EOS 7D
Nikon D90
Nikon D300S
Canon EOS 50D
Bottom Line
Mid-range DSLR - Canon vs Nikon Shootout!
Let's face it, there will always be a strong competition between Canon and Nikon. It is kind of like the Hatfields and the McCoys, or the Yankees and the Mets - you love one and hate the other. But these are both excellent cameras!
The 7D and D300s are the newest releases in the Mid-level DSLR range. If you are undecided about which would be best for you, this is a great place to start. But make sure you look at the individual features for each one.
Here is a simple side-by-side comparison of the two newest DSLRs from Canon and Nikon. "These are the facts, and the facts are indisputable." (A Few Good Men)
Canon EOS 7D
Nikon D300s
18.0 Megapixel CMOS Sensor and Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors
12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS Image Sensor
3.0 inch Clear View II LCD screen with 920,000 dots
3-inch Super-density 921,000-dot VGA LCD Monitor
8.0 fps continuous shooting up to 126 Large/JPEGs
Continuous Shooting up to 7 fps
New 19-point, all cross-type AF system equipped with dual diagonal cross-type sensors in center
Fast, Accurate 51-point Autofocus -
Features 4 Dynamic AF modes including 3D Focus Tracking
Advanced movie mode with manual exposure control and selectable frame rates: 1920 x 1080 (Full HD): 30p (29.97)
D-Movie HD Video
- Capture striking 24 fps, 720p HD movie clips
ISO 100-6400 (expandable to 12,800) for shooting from bright to dim light
Low Noise ISO Sensitivity from 200 to 3200
- Additional expanded ISO settings of Lo-1 (ISO 100 equivalent) and Hi-1 (ISO 6400 equivalent)
User ratings at Amazon and DPReview average 4.47out of 5
User ratings at Amazon and DPReview average 4.25 out of 5
The Canon EOS 7D is designed as a whole new class of EOS, with new features designed to assist the photgrapher in every step of the photographic process. It represents a new experience for the serious photographer as well as semi-professionals and professionals.
Made to be the tool of choice for serious photographers and semi-professionals, the EOS 7D features an all-new 18.0 Megapixel APS-C size CMOS sensor and Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors, capturing tremendous images at up to ISO 12800 and speeds of up to 8 fps. The EOS 7D has a new all cross-type 19-point AF system with improved AI Servo II AF subject tracking and user-selectable AF area selection modes for sharp focus no matter the situation.
The EOS 7D's Intelligent Viewfinder, an entirely newly-designed technology, provides 100% coverage and displays user-selected AF modes as well as a spot metering circle and on demand grid lines. New iFCL Metering with 63-zone dual-layer metering system uses both focus and color information to provide accurate exposure even in difficult lighting. The EOS 7D also captures Full HD video at 30p (29.97 fps), 24p (23.976 fps) and 25p with an array of manual controls, including manual exposure during movie shooting and ISO speed selection. The EOS 7D features a magnesium alloy body that is dust- and weather-resistant and shutter durability of up to 150,000 cycles. Compatible with over 60 EF and EF-S lenses as well as with EOS System accessories, the creative opportunities - not just with stills but also with video - are beyond amazement.
In their introduction, the reviewers at DPReview had this to say:
...the 7D, a camera that seems determined to wrestle back the king of APS-C crown. At first glance it looks a lot like the EOS 50D - it's unmistakably a member of the EOS family - but a closer look shows that this is far from being the gentle refresh that we're used to seeing in this range. And indeed, this is intended as big brother to the 50D, rather than as a replacement for it.
Key Features:
18.0 Megapixel CMOS Sensor and Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors for high image quality and speed.
ISO 100-6400 (expandable to 12,800) for shooting from bright to dim light
8.0 fps continuous shooting up to 126 Large/JPEGs with UDMA CF card and 15 RAW
Advanced movie mode with manual exposure control and selectable frame rates: 1920 x 1080 (Full HD): 30p (29.97) / 24p (23.976) / 25p, 1280 x 720 (HD): 60p (59.94) / 50p, 640 x 480 (SD): 60p (59.94) / 50p.
Intelligent Viewfinder with 100% field of view, wide viewing angle of 29.4°, high magnification of 1.0, intelligent viewfinder with glass pentaprism and an overlaid LCD display in viewfinder supports various shooting styles
3.0 inch Clear View II LCD screen with 920,000 dots
New 19-point, all cross-type AF system equipped with dual diagonal cross-type sensors in center at f/2.8 and f/5.6 and AF area selection modes to match various shooting situations - Watch this video about the 19-point Auto Focus system - so impressive!
iFCL Metering with 63 zone dual-layer metering sensor that utilizes AF and color information for optimizing exposure and image quality.
Wireless flash control
Magnesium body with shutter durability up to 150,000 cycles and exclusive dust and weather resistance.
What's in the Box:
EOS 7D Digital SLR Body
Eyecup Eg (Not Shown)
Wide Neck Strap EW-EOS7D
Stereo AV Cable AVC-DC400ST
USB Interface Cable IFC-200U
Battery Pack LP-E6
Battery Charger LC-E6
EOS Digital Solution Disk
Software
Instruction Manual (not Shown)
What Others Say About the 7D
The Canon EOS 7D has been impressing review web sites whose business it is to scrutinize every facit of every camera. In spite of intense scrutiny, the Canon 7D continues to gain the favor of everyone that handles it.
Class-leading detail and resolution at base ISO, good per-pixel sharpness
Very good low-light performance, low noise levels and good retention of detail
8 frames per second continuous shooting speed
Thanks to Dual Digic 4 processors very quick and responsive performance
Excellent build quality with magnesium body and environmental sealing
Good ergonomics, well shaped and comfortable hand grip
Improved button and control layout over 50D/5D Mark II
Highly customizable user interface
* On-screen Q-Menu offers good alternative for access to shooting settings
Large and bright viewfinder with 1.0x magnification and 100% coverage
Highly flexible new AF system with 19 cross-type sensors
(Relatively) quick contrast detect AF in live view
Good quality 1080/720p video output with a range of frame rates
Easy switch between stills mode, movie mode and live view
External microphone socket
Useful highlight tone priority mode
Reliable flash exposures
Wireless flash control
Optional wireless and battery grips
Dual axis electronic level
Good battery life
Comprehensive software bundle
Conclusion - Cons
Unreliable white balance under artificial lighting
Slight tendency to overexpose in contrasty conditions
Occasional jagged lines in 720p video
No built-in AF illuminator
Let's face it, if the image quality does not match up to the expected level, the camera will not be successful. As with all the other cameras that came before it, the Canon 7D has image quality that is "best in class".
User Ratings
Finally, the all-important factor - real people reviews
Amazon.com has the Canon 7D at 4.45 out of 5 stars(28 responses). This is good, real good! DPReview was even higher at 4.49 out of 5 (42 responses)
Overview
The Nikon D90 is an apt replacement for the D80. In camera years it is quite mature, being around for about a year and a half (release date is Aug '08). The D80 had been one of Nikon's quiet successes, and even today, it is highly regarded by its users.
First and foremost there's a new CMOS sensor, which Nikon claim produces D300 quality output at up to ISO 6400 and - one of several features to 'trickle down' from higher models - the same highly acclaimed 3.0-inch VGA screen as the D3/D300.
It also has Live View with contrast-detect AF and it would have been surprising had it not sported some form of dust removal system.
The D90 included the world's first DSLR movie mode (720p HDTV quality) and HDMI output, and while that was a selling point at its inception, it has been eclipsed by the likes of Canon's 7D and now the Canon Rebel T2i.
But the main feature of the D90 is now and always has been user adoration. Those who end up with a Nikon D90 pretty much love it.
It has been over 2 years since Nikon launched its D300, which has been extremely well received by the photographic enthusiasts, both professionals and advanced amateurs alike. Now, Nikon has updated the D300 design to create the D300s, including almost all of the former features along with some very desireable additions.
One genuinely new feature is the inclusion of contrast-detection autofocus that operates while in movie mode - a first for a Nikon DSLR. It's not the quickest focusing you'll ever see, though, and you'll also need to make use of the external mic socket if you want to avoid some annoying ambient noise from the surroundings.
The continuous shooting speed has been given a bit of a boost, with the camera now capable of shooting at 7fps using its own battery and 8fps with the MB-D10 battery grip. Also, the settings display screen is now interactive, similar to other recently released cameras in this category, so that the user can change settings more rapidly. And while Active D-Lighting is not new, a couple of extra options ('Auto' and 'Extra High') have been added. Finally the 'Quiet' drive mode first seen on the D5000 has been included as well.
Key Features:
12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS Image Sensor
Continuous Shooting up to 7 fps
- High speed shooting and fast response—essential to versatile performance in a wide variety of shooting disciplines.
Nikon EXPEED Image Processing -
Drives breathtakingly rich image fidelity, low noise and fast image processing.
D-Movie HD Video
- Capture striking 24 fps, 720p HD movie clips, enhanced by NIKKOR interchangeable lens quality and versatility—featuring external stereo Mic input and AF operation.
3-inch Super-density 921,000-dot VGA LCD Monitor
One-button Live View
- Hand-held and Tripod Live View Modes, activated with one-button, for challenging studio and remote shooting conditions.
Low Noise ISO Sensitivity from 200 to 3200
- Additional expanded ISO settings of Lo-1 (ISO 100 equivalent) and Hi-1 (ISO 6400 equivalent) extend versatility to match shooting requirements.
Fast, Accurate 51-point Autofocus -
Features 4 Dynamic AF modes including 3D Focus Tracking for precise autofocus and razor sharp images.
Dual memory card slots (CF and SD)
Assign card functions from a variety of storage options, optimizing available memory and file handling.
Dynamic Integrated Dust Reduction System -
Ultrasonic process combats the accumulation of dust in front of the image sensor, safeguarding image quality.
Nikon's Active D-Lighting -
Optimizes shadow and highlight detail in real time—Selectable values and 5-frame ADL bracketing offer complete control.
In-Camera Image Editing -
Exclusive in-camera image editing, featuring Edit movie, D-Lighting, Image Overlay, Monochrome, NEF (RAW) processing and more.
Rugged and Durable -
The strength and precision of magnesium-alloy construction with advanced dust and moisture countermeasures is teamed with a shutter mechanism tested to beyond 150,000 cycles for real-world reliability.
These images are from the Nikon site. You can view more sample images at NikonUSA.com
Canon EOS 50D Overview
The 50D has a well built magnesium body that now features improved environmental sealing. Image quality is what we come to expect from Canon. Performance is solid with virtually instant on when power button is pressed. It can take up to 60 hi-res JPG images in a single burst. It is still an APC-S image sensor, but with the DIGIC IV processor, it gets the job done with excellence. Canon shooters have been impressed with the 50D to the tune of an impressive 4.3 out of 5 rating on DPReview.com.
Key Features:
15.10 Megapixels Image Resolution
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD
LCD Size: 3.0" w/920,000 pixel output
ISO: 100-12800
Shutter: 30-1/8000
Enhanced Live View shooting includes Face Detection Live mode
Enough control over settings for any photographer
Amazon rating for the Canon 50D is 4.45 out of 5. Here is a link to a satisfied customer review at Amazon. I include this because it is a very detailed review of the features and a comparison with the Nikon D300, which the user also owns and uses. DPReview rating is 4.30 out of 5. You can view the ratings and comments here.
The Bottom Line:
The only way any camera finds a place at Digital-photographic-resources is by being one of the top cameras in its class. It must earn the respect of web site reviews and camera enthusiasts by gaining high ratings.
Therefore, any one of the cameras presented on this page will provide you with everything you need as a photographer. They are all used by advanced amateurs and professional photographers. If you already have lenses for a Canon or a Nikon, it makes sense that you should stick with the same brand, especially if you have been satisfied with the image results. With that disclaimer, I would definitely go for the Canon EOS 7D because it lives up to the hype it has gotten from both the manufacturer and the camera buying public.
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18.0 Megapixel CMOS Sensor and Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors
Overview 
The Nikon D90 is an apt replacement for the D80. In camera years it is quite mature, being around for about a year and a half (release date is Aug '08). The D80 had been one of Nikon's quiet successes, and even today, it is highly regarded by its users.
