Hi,
I am buying a new camera but I do not know which one choose: Nikon 300Ds or Canon 7D. I Like to shoot portraits most of the time, showing people at streets, working and close-ups. However I am also interested in shoot landscapes and wildlife ( I am a biologist!!!). Thanks!
I would snatch up the 7d. I have shot both, and am a Canon shooter. I started with Nikon, but realized that their lens lineup is a little smaller than canon's. The 7d is new technology, adn the 300ds is a revision of a 2.5 year old camera. Plus, the 7d was Camera of the year in some magazines. does that tell you something?
Answer by conquerer on 12 Jan 2010 05:45:15It doesn't matter. Go to a store and handle them both. Then pick the best for you.
You will not find any operational or performance advantages to either unit (Nikon doesn't offer a live-view histogram Oh, no). Both are eminently capable of taking photographs. Although the Nikon has two card slots and offers multiple storage solutions that are quite neat. Wish my camera had it. It's got two slots but doesn't know what to do with them.
And I have to take issue with conqueror's answer. Switched from Nikon because Canon had more lenses? Come on! Like you need them all. Nikon's lens range is world-class.
and the bit about it being 'based on 2.5yr old technology'? And? You're point being? I have a car that's based on 1000 year old technology with an engine based on 100yr old technology. It runs on wheels first designed 6000yrs ago.
The D300 was the best semi-pro body out there just a couple of years ago, it's been freshened up a little now so it's likely to be, well, even better.
Personally, I'd also look at Pentax K-7 and Sony Alpha 700. Don't worry, there will be lenses available for them, irrespective of what you shoot. The a700 also comes with a remote control in the box but it's, sadly, based upon a 1990 LED design.
In fact, you know what? Get the Nikon. There. Said it. First time I've ever taken sides between the two makers.
If you are already shooting, the first question is, do you already own lenses for one system or the other? If this is your first DSLR, either one is a huge, huge, first step. Most people buying these camera already own lenses for one or the other and have been shooting with another camera from the same manufacturer. I mention this because in telling us how you plan to use the camera, it almost sounds like this is your first DSLR. If that's the case, you should know that with SLRs, you buy specific lenses for the types of shooting you want to do. It's not just about the camera and the camera is not the most important factor in image quality. Be careful not to get caught in the trap of buying an expensive soley for improved image quality because, particularly with Nikon, there are often cheaper cameras with the same image quality such as the D90 and D5000.
For what it's worth, I purchased a 7D last month after spending a couple weeks with both cameras. In line with my earlier point, probably the biggest reason I bought the Canon was that I already owned over $4000 worth of Canon lenses and previously shot the Canon 40D which is very similar. The 7D is easily the best APS-C format DSLR that Canon has ever offered. Inspite of its insanely high resolution, 18mp sensor, the 7D actually manages to beat the Nikon in terms of noise in low-light at high ISO. If you like making large prints, the higher resolution is an advantage. The new 19-point AF system is also a big improvement over the 9-point system used in most previous Canons and it's much better and more accurate in tracking moving subjects. The Canon is also the fastest camera in its class, capable of shooting a 8fps without the aid of a battery grip. I don't use video in my 7D but, the general concensus is Canon's video features are superior to Nikon. Sounds good, right? Well don't ignore Nikon just yet.
While the Nikon needs a battery grip to match the Canon for speed, the Nikon's AF system proves to be faster and more consistent about achieving a focus lock in low-light conditions. The Nikon's 51-point AF system also covers more of the frame which is an advantage too. Another advantage of the Nikon is it has both SD and CF card slots which is a feature common to full-blown pro-level cameras and can be an imporant backup feature. This camera is well known for image quality and the original D300 set a new image standard back in 2007. It has taken Canon two years to catch up to this camera in terms of image quality. It is a solid camera and one I'd shoot without hesitation.
So which is best? The real answer is, "It's up to you." You need to buy a CF card and go to a camera store and try both these cameras. You need to compare how they feel in your hands. You need to compare them for ease of use. You may find that you prefer the feel and level of customization available with the Nikon. Or you might decide that the "full-auto" mode that makes the 7D more beginner friendly is a preferred option. In either case, you need to invest in top quality lenses. If you buy either camera and then try to buy the cheapest lenses, you are wasting your money. I personally wouldn't use either of these cameras with anything less than the best lenses Canon and Nikon offer.
What camera have you been using prior to now? I would stick with the system you have already since you already have the lenses you need (macro for detail shots while on field surveys, wide angle lens when shooting landscapes and some kind of telephoto for shooting wildlife).
When I worked of an animal theme park, I used Nikon's to shoot everything from hatching clown fish using a microscope to mating Cascaroba swans using a long lens from a blind.
While I do shoot clients Canon's from time to time, I prefer my Nikon's only because I can make changes in ISO, white balance, exposure modes without having to remove my eye from the view finder or by using the top LCD. I really like the fine tuning of the white balance and the two features that allow me to record Image Comments and embed my copyright notice with each shot.
It it just a preference because of my workflow and style of shooting.
To determine which is best for you, do this.
Go into a camera store and see which of the cameras fits your hands the best.
See which cameras menu is the easiest for you to use to make changes in ISO, camera resolution, white balance, mode switching and make EV changes (a camera with +5/-5 EV could be important to you).
Finally, take an SD card with you and test each camera at their highest and lowest ISO as well as when using the white balance that matches the light in the store as well as with it in the "auto white balance" mode.
Once you get home and are able to see the results on your large computer monitor, you will know which camera is better for your needs and expectations, not ours.
Take your time before you decide. Once you choose one, you will be married to that system for decades and the cost of changing to the other system will cost you nearly as much as a divorce. Be sure to take your time. If unsure, go back and do more tests until you are convinced, which system is best for you.
The Canon EOS 7D is probably the best overall Canon APS-C sensor DSLR currently available. As far as feature set, it fares extremely well with its slightly more expensive main rival, the Nikon D300s. In its favor, the D300s has a larger, 51-pt AF system and dual CF/SD card slots. A scientific shoot-out from a reputable photography website or magazine is sorely needed to help resolve the issue of which has better IQ at high ISOs. I believe the current lack of Adobe software support for 7D RAW images is the rate-limiting step.
With my limited use of the 7D thus far, I have found the camera to be a sheer pleasure to shoot with. It is a worthy upgrade for 10D/20D users, and probably for 30D users as well. Shooters of the 40D/50D will need to determine whether the new features are worth dishing out $[...] USD for, particularly during these challenging economic times. Mostly anecdotal evidence exists so far that suggests there may be a slight improvement in IQ from the 7D as compared with the 40D/50D. Nikon and other brand photo enthusiasts should weigh the benefits and risks of switching systems.
Once Canon publicly addresses any potential problems with the AF system encountered by some users, then I can offer the 7D my highest recommendation.
Canon EOS 7D
18.0-megapixel CMOS Sensor and Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors for high image quality and speed
Kit includes 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM standard zoom lens
Advanced HD movie mode with manual exposure control and selectable frame rates
Intelligent Viewfinder with 100 percent field of view; 19-point, all cross-type AF system equipped with dual diagonal cross-type sensors
Capture images to CF Card Type I and II, UDMA-compliant CF cards
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Canon EOS 7D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-inch LCD and 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens
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Review:
No, but it's so good that one starts to contemplate this question, which was never the case before the 7D was introduced. Both systems, crop and full frame, have their pros and cons and place in photography. But before I get into that let me say I have not been as excited about a camera since the introduction of the 5D MK I four years ago. That's because the 7D raises the crop camera bar to the point where crop users will not feel at a disadvantage to full frame camera users, especially if coupled with awesome ef-s lenses such as the 17-55 f2.8.
How so? The 7D sets a new standard in four major ways.
1.It produces whopping 18MP pictures, which are just 3MP shy of the current top of the line full frame Canon cameras. Just few years ago most pros were producing stellar results using the 1Ds MKII 16MP camera. Now you have more MPs in a crop sensor, that's a major achievement. This achievement translates into bigger prints and, perhaps more importantly, cropping power. Out shooting wildlife with a 300mm instead of 400mm? You can crop the 7D files down to 50% of their original file size and still obtain sharp pictures. It's just not that easy with the 1D MK III 10MP files.
2.Many worried that extra MPs in small crop sensors would translate into nosier pictures, but the amazing thing is that this camera produces images with what seems to be less noise than the 1Ds MKII. The noise level is very good. At ISO 1600 I still prefer pictures coming from my 5D MKII, but below ISO1600 they are very close. Frankly, I can go with either camera because most of my professionally shot portraits and product pictures are shot at ISO100. At ISO100 both produce very clean files and are practically indistinguishable.
3.Focus is the one area that was lacking on the previous 1.6 crop Canon cameras and this camera changes that. It's not a 1D in focus speed and accuracy, but it's the next best thing compared to them. It's faster than the Canon 5D MKII, which is known to be slightly faster or around the focus performance range of the 50D and 40D.
4.The drive chain is fast, so fast it's beyond anything I needed in my professional work in portrait, commercial, and product photography. Going through pictures taken at 8fps produces very little difference from frame to frame. One probably has to shoot a very fast moving subject/object to see the advantage of such fast drive system.
There are obviously many other things that I have not covered in this review. But based on the above, all I can say is that this camera has really raised the bar for all cameras and made it much more affordable to obtain a professional level camera for all types of photography. If you were considering buying the 5D MKII as an upgrade give this camera a test because it might be all you need.
As for the advantages of crop cameras I always find it odd that casual users who shoot many things but focus on landscape think they need a full frame to realize their potential. Crop cameras such as the 7D and 50D are fine for most users and offer many advantages including:
1.greater depth of field at lower aperture for landscape photography
2.greater tilt and shift effect because of sensor size relative to effect (8mm in shift is greater in effect relative to a 22mm sensor compared to a 35mm sensor)
3.greater magnification with micro lenses and extension tubes because of smaller sensor (1:1 in full frame equals 35mm, 1:1 in crop equals 22mm)
4.smaller lighter lenses with wider aperture that achieve greater reach (such as the 17-55 2.8 vs the 24-70 2.8 similar reach but much lighter and smaller)
Traditionally the three areas full frame cameras outshine crop cameras are a bigger brighter viewfinder, shallower depth of field for portrait photography, and better ISO performance, which on the last point the 7D has proven not be an issue anymore.
And for the second point really, most beautiful low depth of field portraits are done around f2.8-2.0 in full frame (going wider will make depth of field too narrow to place two eyes in focus). Hence, if one is using a wide prime, a crop sensor will produce the same depth of field at 2.0-1.4. Considering an affordable 50mm f1.4 lens on crop has the same field of view as 85mm lens on full frame there is really no reason to discount a crop camera any more as the 7D levels the playing field.
Personally I would recommend Nikon D300s. Compared to the Canon 7D the Nikon D300s gives sharper pictures with less noise and great detail over iso 400. The 7D photos to my eye looked too "digital" and processed. Where the D300s always gives a natural film like quality to it's images. The color, contrast, sharpness, and exposure all seem much better to me on the D300s than the 7D.
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