What camera is better for an Amateur photographer; Canon EOS Rebel XS or Nikon D40?

Question

What camera is better for an Amateur photographer; Canon EOS Rebel XS or Nikon D40?

Answer 1

The D40 is a great starting camera, and Nikkor lenses are some of the best in the industry. When you upgrade your camera all your lenses will fit on your new Nikon camera (it does have to be a Nikon you upgrade to, unless you wanna buy a bunch more lenses in the future).

The great thing about Nikon to is that it currently has the best camera on the market, the Nikon D3. So it is a solid choice to choose Nikon

Answer 2

For an amateur I would recommend Nikon D40 which is an excellent camera to learn with and save your money for another good lens.When you ready to upgrade to better level you can change camera body only and you can use your stock lens.You can get Nikon D40 with 2 lens package with same price as Canon Rebel XS.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fie%3DUTF8%26rs%3D502394%26ref%255F%3Dsr%255Fnr%255Fn%255F0%26keywords%3Dnikon%2520d40%26bbn%3D502394%26qid%3D1245660072%26rnid%3D502394%26rh%3Dn%253A172282%252Cn%253A%2521493964%252Ck%253Anikon%2520d40%252Cn%253A502394%252Cn%253A281052&tag=computer0bd-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957

Answer 3

Stop worrying about sensor size to mega pixels at this point, Unless you plan on printing poster sized images anything above 8 mega pixels is great, and even 8MP on my camera produce beautiful images at 11"x17" prints. I can tell you from comparing my pictures with my Olympus E-500 with the others in my classes my images came out sharper and without color separation in most cases to the images of allot of the cannon users. The images the Zuiko lens produces are so sharp people thought i was one of the Nikon users in the class. However mine doesn't cost as much as a Nikon with comparable features. It is allot less.

Next I'm going to upgrade to the E-420 that camera is so small and light, at 10mp its amazing. And with 2 lens kit its the same as the comparable Nikon D40x with only one. It really is the smallest and lightest DSLR in the world how can you pass that up

Answer 4

Several people have told you and will tell you that the D40 has been discontinued or that the D60 has replaced it. Neither of these are true.



Nikon is still producing and shipping the D40.



That said, the Canon is a far superior camera to the D40, with the exception of the large pixels of the 6MP sensor. Larger pixels are, by nature, better in low-light. However, the Nikon uses a CCD sensor rather than Canon's superior CMOS sensor.



You will be happy with either of these cameras as they are both excellent for beginning and learning photography.

Answer 5

Meh, megapixels mean nothing. I have a 300D (6.3MP) with a 17-40mm f4L and that L lens is what matters, mind you it cost $700...probably around the same as your whole kit will be costing. Same camera with a less good lens, and pictures turn out funky.

Answer 6

If you are still stuck between the two camera, you really need to hold both in your hands and see which you like the best. The D40 has been THE most popular entry level DSLR made by any maker. There are many reasons for this besides the cost of entry into the Nikon system. Many pros carry the D40 in their camera case because it can sync to flash at higher shutter speeds than even $5,000 professional cameras. The 6 mp sensor is just about perfect for shooting anything but billboards or wall murals. Only a few years ago, pros were using DSLR's with only 2 mp sensors and they were being published in magazines like SI, Time and many more. As you have noted, the Nikon sensor is slightly larger and the 1.5x magnification factor can be easily calculated in ones head if necessary

Answer 7

When you choose a camera brand of D-SLR, it is a good idea to look into interchangeable lenses and their price. In other words if you are into photography, check the total system price. If you use only one or two lens/es, either should be fine. Just choose the brand you like. Personally I prefer Canon lenses. But I may choose Nikon because of the durability of the body. Actually D40 is a good camera body.

Answer 8

Both are great.



it's a matter of personal choice.



I use Nikon D40, and it's great ;)

Answer 9

The Nikon D40 is great. I've shot on one for over a year (recently upgraded to a D200, but only because I shoot sports) and I truly love it.

Megapixels...they do not matter. At all. Unless you are printing 20x30 inch prints you don't need over 6. And I doubt you are printing that huge. I should also note that, with some software, the D40 is also capable of printing 20x30s just fine.

Also, it is good that you include the size of the image sensor, that is very important. Notice that the Nikon sensor is bigger-that holds true on all of their DX frame cameras. The larger sensor allows them to handle noise better at higher ISOs, and reduces the crop factor so the lens more closely approximates the real focal length of the lens.

Of course, what others say about the D40 being somewhat obsolete is true...so I would buy a D60 instead. The D60 comes with a VR lens, at least off of Amazon right now...and is 3 dollars more...for a far superior camera, with superior optics. Nikkor (Nikon's in house lens company) produces the best glass in the world. If I were just about to jump in, I would get the D60. Three dollars more than the Canon, superior noise handling, better glass, better ergonomics (A LOT BETTER) and, of course, compatibility to some extent or another with Nikkor lens from 1958 onwards (with the exception of the APS-C lenses...there are something like 7 of them.) That is literally hundreds of lenses available for your camera. Canon has about 5 years of lens compatibility, as it stands right now. So yeah...grab a D60 off of Nikon.

Answer 10

First introduced in 2006, the now three year old Nikon D40 is old technology and has been discontinued.



The Canon XS is a recent addition to the Canon line, introduced in 2008, so its current technology.



So you need to decide if you want to invest your money in three year old technology or in current technology. My money would go for the XS.

Answer 11

Canon and Nikon are good brands. I have used both. Both cameras you listed are good to use, especially if you don't worry about how much your going to spend. How much are you looking to spend? Do you already have any camera equipment, if so what? And why are you not considering any Olympus cameras, if your being cost conscious you should look into one. The Olympus's are Cheaper than the Nikon, and i know people talk about how good Nikon lenses are ( i know i have a D40x ) but the Olympus cameras use Zuiko Lenses, which have always been renowned for their sharpness. The E-420 is the smallest and lightest DSLR in the world, Smaller than my Nikon D40 and it cost allot less. And the E-510 has image stabilization in the body, which means you can put any old lens on it and it with have I.S., and i mean any old lens. The cameras a know for being able to adapt many older lenses to then that you can get cheep used. Canon and Nikon don't offer Image stabilization in body. If you want Image stabilization on them you have to buy the lenses with it built in and that brings up the lens cost.



I just checked the prices for them new, and you can get them cheep.



Olympus Evolt E410 10MP Digital SLR Camera with 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 and 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 Zuiko Lenses

For under $450



Olympus Evolt E420 10MP Digital SLR Camera with 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Lens



For under $450



Olympus Evolt E510 10MP Digital SLR Camera with CCD Shift Image Stabilization and 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Lens



For under $500



One thing i can say that i always use my Nikon for is Sports Photography , i do allot of photographing at baseball, football and soccer games and when I have a job that entails sports the Nikon is the camera that i use. But unless you do allot of that you shouldn't spend the extra.

Answer 12

you are kind of comparing apples to oranges here......I think the d60 is more comparable to the XS.



To me, the d40 seemed like a TOY. Its also based on technology that is a few years old, vs the XS which came out in 2008.



I found this review page for the XS...it seems pretty decent for the entry level canon. This camera apparently has "live view" which means that you can see what you are composing on your viewfinder BEFORE you take the picture.....Most digital SLRs do not have this feature. That being said however, when you are out in the field, these screens are not easy to view in bright light....the screen is a bit small...



This camera does have a full range of settings for you to be able to use it in either automatic mode, or fully manual mode, PLUS it has 7 focus points...not too bad for an entry level camera.

The lens that comes with the camera is entry level, but still has image stabilization built into it. The camera also has a good range of being able to adjust the sensitivity of the sensor to make it good for low light shots....and the quality looks pretty good





http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=3758&review=canon+rebel+xs







The nikon d40 camera has substantially less megapixels (personally i wouldn't get anything less than 10 in this day and age, ONLY 3

autofocus points, which is less than half of the canon xs, and ALSO,

although the lens that comes with the camera for either the XS or the d40 isn't the top of the line model, the canon XS lens has what

canon calls image stabilization...which makes it easier to hand hold the camera. The Nikon d40 comes with a similar lens, BUT the lens that comes with the d40 does NOT have nikon's equilavalent of image stabilization , called VR..





For an extra $100, the bigger megapixels, more autofocus points, and the image stabilized lens is WELL worth it !!! Go with the XS



Oh yeah, I forgot to mention. The d40 does NOT have the Live view feature either. personally I think that looking through th viewfinder is better, but some people do like to compose using the screen.





There is ONE thing you should be aware of here as well, and that is there are TWO types of digital SLRS...Most of them

are called "cropped sensor cameras", and the really expensive $3000 cameras are FULL frame cameras.



With canon, the EF-s style of lenses used on the cropped sensor camera can NOT be used on a full frame model.



With nikon, their cropped DX style lenses CAN be used on a full frame camera...however, the cheapest full frame camera

right now costs $4500.



If you go with the XS, just be aware that if at some point in time you decide to get other lenses for it, make sure to buy

lenses that are called EF, full frame lenses. That way, if in a few years you want to go to a full framed camera, you can bring the lenses with you.

Answer 13

They are both great cameras. There are many pros and cons to both, so I don't think you can say that one is better than the other. I had the same choice a couple of years ago and I went with the D40. The one problem that I had was that I had a hard time getting really good, clear shots with the kit lens (18-55mm) that came with the camera. I had to buy a better lens (18-200mm VR) to get better results. So, I would say give the canon a try if you don't want to buy a new lens rite away. OR, just get the cheaper one!

Answer 14

I have the XS and love it. Canon vs Nikon...its a personal preference. Go to the store and try each one out and see which one feels better in your hands and which controls are easier for you to use. The XS is more expensive because it is a better camera...its the Nikon d60 thats comparable to a Canon Rebel.

Answer 15

You just found out the difference, MP and price. To complicate your woes, add the Pentax K2000, a full featured dSLR that can be handled comfortably with one hand. You won't go wrong with any dSLR from Canon, Nikon and Pentax. They're all the same with basically MP and minor features differing from one another. The choice of brand will all fall down to loyalty, preference and salesmanship.



Between the two, I'd prefer the Rebel XS more due to larger MP. Personally though, I'd go for the Pentax K2000.

Answer 16

well, Canon and Nikon both made very good camera.

I own a Canon 50D personally.



The D40 is 2 years older than the Rebel XS. the Rebel xs came out the year 2008 so which mean it has more new technologist.



in-another word Nikon introduce D60 at the year 2008 to replace the D40. and the D60 is in the same range of the Rebel XS.



if i were you i would pick the Rebel XS over the D40 because of the technologist.

go to the links below and compare the two cameras by yourself :-)



good luck and enjoy your new camera tomorrow.

Answer 17

Recommend Nikon D60 Digital SLR Camera kit.

KIT INCLUDES 9 PRODUCTS -- All Brand New Items with all Manufacturer-supplied Accessories + Full USA Warranties:

<#1> Nikon D60 Digital SLR Camera & 18-55mm VR Zoom Lens Outfit PLUS

<#2> Nikon AF-S 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

<#3> Transcend 8GB HC SecureDigital Class 6 (SDHC) Card

<#4> Spare EN-EL9 Li-Ion Battery Pack

<#5> Nikon SLR System Case

<#6> USB 2.0 High Speed SecureDigital (SD) Card Reader

<#7> Digital Image Recovery Software

<#8> Memory Card Storage Wallet

<#9> Microfiber Cleaning Cloth

$798.95 + $18.95 shipping

Answer 18

I agree with the guys about the Olympus camera. I think they are the best. especially for your first DSLR when you cant spent alave.

I have the E-420 and its small and light and i can fit the camera in my coat pocket when i have a short all purpose lens on it. Sometimes i just leave it in my hoody pocket with the wide zoom on it so i can pull it out to take shots when i need.

BUT THE BEST IS, that because of its design you can fit almost any lens to it with a cheep metal adapter. Instead of paying hundreds for auto focus lenses for the camera, I buy Great quality, FAST! Manual focus lenses that i can use on it. I just have to twist a knob till i hear a beep when its in focus. No biggy and i got like 3 Sharp fast Nikon lenses to use for it too, for less than a hundred dollars, and many other brand lenses also.

The Olympus is a great camera and you will save hundreds by getting it

Answer 19

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Answer 20

I would take the Canon over the Nikon any day. It is really the lens that makes the camera and if you plan of moving up and purchasing a more professional camera such as a 50D, you would already have the great lenses that you buy for the rebel.

Answer 21

Neither my friend.

Go for the SOny Alpha A200 instead.

You get much more camera for the same money - more features, better performance, plus it comes with the Minolta pedigree.

If you want a badge and a brand name, go for Canikon.

If you want a good quality camera at the best price, go for the Alpha.

Answer 22

it's never the camera, it's the person behind the camera. so....buy the one that feels better in your hands.



p.s. canon has more/better lenses.