camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

"Which would be best?" I can tell you right now that a camera and a lens are only tools. You have to do as Greg suggested, go to a camera store and hold the camera in your hands and examine its ergonomics and features and decide on your own if that is the camera you need for your photography. Nobody can advise you on a camera that perhaps will not fit your expectations.
Using good photographic techniques any modern camera today should give you awesome results considering you do your part.

HarryBinNC Loc: Blue Ridge Mtns, No.Carolina, USA

Things based on mostly baseless rumor can go viral very quickly on the internet. If you would bother doing a little research from trustworthy sources you would find that the Nikon camera division is doing OK - the "problems" are mostly within another of Nikon's businesses (obsolete lithography steppers) that has nothing to do with photography. Here's an opinion piece that you can trust, if you're interested:

http://www.dslrbodies.com/newsviews/nikon-isnt-being-bought-by.html

If you would just prefer to continue propagating Internet BS, please go be a troll somewhere else.

HarryB

clickalot Loc: Chicago area

I elected to go Nikon DSLR some (many) years ago for one main reason. Old glass (lenses). There are a lot of high quality older Nikon lenses that can be purchased used at very reasonable prices, especially compared to new high quality lenses (from either Nikon or Canon). Nikon has been making cameras and lenses for many years and hence there are more older Nikon lenses than older Canon lenses. I say this although I like Canon cameras and use Canon printers and scanners.

If you do not intend to consider older used lenses, then either Nikon or Canon. How you craft the image (taking it and processing it) will be much more important than the particular camera used.

Whatever you choose, my recommendation would be to buy the best lens(es) you can afford.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Since photography equipment represents a major purchase for most of us, I think that gathering some guiding information before (and even while) shopping is a great idea. And since there are so many choices, the task can be daunting.

And it is interesting how the equipment landscape changes. Consider how many really good manufacturers and brands existed not too many years ago and are now history. Unfortunately, the explosion of multifunction devices which include the ability to take snapshots has decimated the market for low-end cameras. This has reduced revenue and concentrated overhead costs, making business more difficult for the manufacturers. Even Olympus could not support their photography line with their other businesses.

I volunteered for several years at the Dallas Arboretum as a docent and tour guide. At that time, I had just moved from Olympus OM film to Nikon digital, so I guess it was fairly natural that I kept an informal census of who shot what equipment. My discovery was that those folks (professional and hobbyist) who came to shoot people almost always used Canon equipment, while those who came to shoot trees and flowers were biased heavily toward Nikon. When I had the chance to visit with them, there was no real consensus around why they made their choice, but there was a lot of mention, especially from the Canon folks, that they liked the Canon sensor for portraiture. I have since heard that many of them like the Canon control layout. That is particularly interesting to me, because control layout is what sent me toward Nikon.

So I guess the bottom line is that there are differences between the makers and among the cameras that each makes. Camera and sensor development has resulted in the ability to 'adjust out' some of the performance differences that used to be a bigger deal.

My suggestion is to read the posts to get an idea of what camera and lens characteristics have proven important to those who post them, then be prepared to make your own comparison looking at those characteristics. In the end, your camera is going to become an extension of your hands, eyes, and brain. If any of us try to make that choice for you, at least some of us may end up being disappointed.

Good luck. And let the search be fun!

markjay

Yes - he asked for camera recommendations.
So I said anything Canon ands nothing Nikon.

Of course there are some good Nikon products out there - and they even still make some good products. Ken Rockwell often has a good review for a new Nikon product - but overall - he feels strongly that Nikon is falling behind and may never catch up again.

So if you are making a big investment in equipment and glass - why take the risk that your company becomes an also ran in the next 3-5 years. Its simply not worth it.

markjay

I think you will find it hard to round up even 10 people on here who will say that Olympus os the best out there.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

People that own Canon products will recommend Canon products and people that already own Nikon products will always recommend Nikon products. So go to a store and pick up some cameras and decide for yourself. There's no other way to choose. If you have some friends with cameras, I might suggest that you go with the same brand they use so that they can mentor you. Personally, I bought a Canon because my girlfriend at the time bought a Canon camera and we could learn together. Now that I know how most Canon menus systems are set up, it's really easy for me to mentor other beginners with Canon products. I've looked at Nikons before and can't figure one thing out on them because I'm not familiar with their menus system or buttons. But if I had started with Nikon, there's not doubt in my mind that I'd be as well versed with them as I am with Canon. So go and pick some up and decide for yourself.

bobc47

I've owned Nikon's since the late 60's and because of my investment in the glass I've stuck with them. I started out with the F2 in Korea which I still have, my current digital camera's are the d90 and the d7100.

If you don't have an investment in glass yet, why limit yourself to Canon and Nikon? If I were starting fresh I'd take a close look at the Fujifilm XT-2.

In any case make sure you handle any camera you are considering because it's important you are comfortable handling it. take your time and consideer the pro's and con's of each model and remember you may end up spending more on lenses than you do for the camera. Right now my favorite lens is the Tamron 100mm f2.8 macro.

Bob

canon Lee

The question is will your old lenses fit a new Canon?

wapiti Loc: round rock, texas

Retina Loc: Near Charleston,SC

Why "the best"? Maybe it is for certain things, but among top quality tools, it is more of a personal choice based on features and fit. One can easily find aspects of other cameras that outperform Olympus in one area or another. I recall someone asking a talk show host "Who in your opinion is better, Damingo or Pavarotti?" He replied "I'm just glad we have both."

mellis5132

I have a D810 and is way ahead of others I have shot including Canon.

67skylark27 Loc: Fort Atkinson, WI

I'm new here and completely amazed at how these threads get filled up with
such drivel! Stick to the original posters needs, jeez!

I can only speak on Nikon's so hear's my two cents.

Starting out the D3300 was great for getting back into photography.
I moved up to the D5300 which I got used for less than 400 bucks and shutter count was under 4,000.
The articulating screen is super helpful!
A friend has a D7200 which would be my next step when I want to move up a bit.
The D500 is the go to if you got the bucks, eventually I will have the d500 and the 200-500 lens for wildlife shots.

Kissel vonKeister Loc: Georgia

I agree. The Fujifilm X-T20 has it all.
Actually that's a rash statement because no one camera has it all but the Fujis come close. I would think you'd want an articulating screen for that kind of work. Try to think outside the Canikon box.

Kissel vonKeister Loc: Georgia

Ken Rockwell? That won't convince anyone!