FollowingHerDreams Loc: Chicago/Los Angeles, Atl

I'm finally following my dreams, I've taken care of everyone else now I'm ready to get back to me. I'm looking to purchase a camera and not sure between a cannon or nikon starting out #confused!! Looking at nikon D7100 and cannon EOS 5D Mark II

tramsey Loc: Texas

These two are pretty close. Here's a link to a professional comparison:

http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon_EOS_5D_Mark_II-vs-Nikon-D7100

Welcome to the forum. Buckle your seat belt you are going to get many opinions. But remember tha'st exactly what they are OPINIONS. :D :D :thumbup:

Welcome again :D

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Yes prepare to be invaded by the rival armies of Canon and Nikon.
I own a Canon, but I'm sure if I had ever owned a Nikon I would like that also.
Main thing I see, both are good cameras but different formats. The Nikon is APS-C crop frame and the Canon is a full frame (sensor same size as 35mm film) so your first choice is which do you want/need.
APS-C when used with full frame lenses has more "reach" since it only sees the center of the image. That also makes the edges and corners sharper since you are only using the sweet spot of the lens.
Full Frame is good for really large prints and allows more cropping of an image before the quality starts to fall off.
I use a Canon 6D full frame, do I sometimes wish I had an APS-C, yes, especially when my little Jack Russell chases the birds up to the trees and phone wires so they won't bother her Papa while he plays with his toy. On the other hand I love how I can enlarge the screen view and still have a sharp image with tiny detail.

Which ever you get, make the choice for you, not someone else's preference. And keep in mind that you are committing yourself to a whole family/system of lenses, accessories etc.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Can't go wrong with either of those cameras.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

I'm a Long time Nikon shooter and overall prefer that system.

I used the 5D II for two years and must admit its a very nice camera.

Given the choice between the two with no lenses or accessories on hand I recommend the Canon. Its tough to beat a FF 21 MP providing you put a quality lens on it.

Now I must go and wash my mouth out with soap.

mechengvic Loc: SoCalo

There's a much bigger world out there.

Companies like Fuji, Pentax, Olympus, and Sony are creating a paradigm shift with products that embody the creative liberation of our digital world. Smaller, feature packed instruments that were designed specifically to take advantage of the advances in digital technology.

CaNikon are still stuck in the days of yesterday with designs that started out as film cameras! They have had to make huge concessions in design and compromising changes in order to accommodate both the users of yesterday and the digital technology of today.

Don't place a burden on your creativity by hanging one of the anchors of the photographic world around your neck! Those 10 pound dinosaurs are on the short track to extinction!

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Joer, here, use this soap, it's the worst I've ever tasted. You'll likely never be tempted to say that again!! :lol:
SS

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

FHD, welcome to the Hog!
Those are completely different cameras having completely different strengths.
Now they do cross over in the middle, and there, the 5dll would have the advantage, for a number of reasons.
I'll check back in later.
Again, welcome. ;-)
SS

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

First off, welcome to the Hog. Check out the Nikon & Canon products. But, don't leave out Sony, Olympus, & Pentax. Find the body & system that you find easiest to handle. Many years ago (1988 to be exact) I worked in a camera shop in Monterey, CA and had the opportunity to put a Canon EOS 620, Nikon 8008, & Minolta Maxxum 7000i side by side. The EOS lost out because it felt clunky. The 8008 lost out because it didn't have a spot meter. I used the 7000i for over 20 years until I purchased a Sony Alpha 100 which has the same mount as the Maxxums. Earlier this year I upgraded to an Alpha 850 & a couple of Tamron zooms I purchased from B&H. I don't regret not having gone with either Canon or Nikon. There are a lot of folks on the Hog that would have you believe you won't get good photographs from anything else. I'm a firm believer in the theory that "it's the nut behind the wheel that causes the accident". It's the eye behind the camera that creates a great photograph, not the brand of camera.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Thanks. :lol:

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I shoot with a Nikon, and, of course, there is no substitute. But then again, you might like the Canon better. I think it comes down to which one has the controls you like placed in the right place. Which feels better in your hand. They are both amazingly good cameras and you can't go wrong with either one of them.......unless, of course, you buy the Canon.

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

Or Sony, or Pentax, or Olympus.

;-) ;-)

amehta Loc: Boston

Once you've narrowed things down to high quality DSLRs, those are two very different cameras. The Nikon D7100 is one of the best APS-C cameras currently available. Other cameras to compare it to include the Canon 70D, Pentax K-3, Fuji X-T1, Sony SLT A77, along with micro 4/3 cameras like the Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic GH4.

The Canon 5D Mark II is an excellent, but older, pro-sumer full frame camera. The main cameras I would compare it to are the Nikon D700 and Sony A99. The biggest advantage of full frame is that the sensor is larger, so it collects more light and the overall image is better. But since the 5D Mark II is six years old, newer cameras with smaller sensor have better technology and comparable image quality. If you can afford a current full frame camera, the comparison changes. The biggest disadvantages of the full frame camera are size, weight, and price.

How do you want to balance size and price against image quality? That will lead you to the sensor size you want. Then the question is DSLR or mirrorless. The mirrorless cameras are a little smaller, but they have an electronic viewfinder (EVF) which some do not like. Considering these questions might narrow your choices down to a different set of cameras. Then flip a coin. :-)

wilsondl Loc: Lincoln, NE

Both great cameras. Just consider this. Most Nikons lenses ever made will work on this camera. A few of the very old ones need to be modified to work. There are super buys on eBay and other outlets in older lenses. Since the D7100 has a focus motor meny of the film auto focus lenses will work. While you can use them with the lower priced Nikons they will not focus on auto. - Dave

anotherview Loc: California

Consider also the Canon 6D.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/6d.htm