I’ve been using a Canon DSLR for over 6 years now.  But the next camera I get will probably be a Nikon, most likely the D700 or the model that comes after.  I thought I would explain why, if for no-one else but myself.

There are various reasons but the top reason isn’t megapixels or ISO performance.  I’ll come to those later.  The top reason is handling and ergonomics.  Even after using my 10D for 6 years plus, the doubling up of buttons drive me crazy.  One button controls two things, like ISO and Drive.  You press the single button and one control dial adjusts the ISO, the other the Drive but there is no logic to which is which.  Same with White Balance and AF.  And because changing those settings is not a regular thing, muscle memory doesn’t come into it.  When you are shooting and need to change one setting and end up changing the other you waste time and there is a chance that the opportunity is lost.  It happens a lot more that you might think.

Nikon designs their cameras with the photographer in mind, Canon designs cameras with consumers in mind.  There are other examples, like how the built-in flash on Nikons can control other external flashes, but with Canon you have to buy a separate flash or expensive IR accessory.  So why the D700 and not the D300/D90?  Switching camera brands is expensive.  I can’t use my current (v. good) lenses so they will be sold.  I will then have to start my lens collection from the beginning.  Since I am going through the expense of switching I might as well go from crop-frame to full frame.  D90/D300 are crop frame cameras.  Full frame cameras have the advantage of better high ISO photos.  In lower light situations, a D700 would let me take photos that I wouldn’t be able to with a D90/D300 or 40/50D.  I’m not going to upgrade my camera for another 4-5 years a least so the D700 makes better sense.

Other reasons?  The D700 has a better AF system than most Canons.  It is the same as the one in the D300 and D3.  To be fair even the 10D has good AF performance.  But only good.  It sometimes lets me down in fast moving situations.  Sports days for example.  And while I haven’t used the 50D/5DMkII from reports and research the AF is better than the 10D but still a little behind the AF in the D700.

The only thing holding me back at the moment is cost, and the fact that the D700 is only 12MP.  In 90% of cases 12MP is enough, except when I have to crop the photo in some way.  Then the higher the better as it gives me more options.  Canon’s equivalent model the 5DMkII is 21MP, Sony’s one is 24MP.  Nikon’s 24MP camera is the D3x which is not only larger, it is only for the serious pros at 3 times the cost.  I’m waiting to see what camera the Nikon D700x might be.  When it eventually is released, I might get it if it is affordable or get the D700 which might come down in price a little.  There is high kicking myself potential if I bought it now. However it probably will be Summer at the earliest.

There is one thing about a Canon set-up that, at least for me is better than Nikon.  That being lenses, there is no equivalent of the 70-200 f4 IS for example.  A lens that has good color, excellent sharpness, flexible range, is light, focusses well and has IS.  The Nikon has a 70-200 F2.8 VR which is too expensive and too heavy.  (Canon also has a 70-200 f2.8 IS)  And here is where Canon’s consumer driven approach wins big.

To sum up I am going to list reasons why I am ruling out certain cameras.  I’m repeating some things but this post is mainly for myself to organise my thoughts, so I’m not apologising :p.

Canon 40D

• Canon ergonomics
• 10MP
• crop camera
• AF
• High ISO performance average
• will not last me 4-5 years before I get the upgrade itch

Canon 50D

• Canon ergonomics
• AF
• crop camera
• High ISO performance average

Canon 5DMkII

• Canon ergonomics
• AF
• slow frame rate

Sony A900

• Feels strange in my hand
• Lens choice
• it’s from Sony, the company that installed rootkits (malware) on their customers computers

Nikon D90

• Crop camera
• High ISO performance average

Nikon D300

• Crop camera
• High ISO performance average

Nikon D700 (right at this moment)

• D700x will probably come out sometime this year
• Still a little expensive
• My lenses are for Canon cameras

Posted on April 1st, 2009 by Ian Cheung
Filed under: Photography