Perry Loc: Washington Michigan

I have 2 Nikons, one is a bridge camera, the other is the D3100. I love both of them. My wife has a Canon bridge camera that has enough zoom to blow both of my cameras out of the water, as far as distance goes, but my bridge camera really shines with macros, and it has pano assist. Her camera doesn't have pano assist, but she is perfectly happy with hers, and that's what's important to me.

It's not just in the name what counts, but what you want the camera to do. Remember it's a tool that helps you capture what you see. I would say that you do a little research and decide what kind of pictures you are interested in taking, factor in what you can afford and what you're willing to spend both now and in the long run, and let that be what determines your final decision, not what's most popular. A good sourse of information is also reviews that owners of the camera rate their equipment at. That is much more helpful than trying to sort through "Canon vs Nikon" rivalries to get to the bottom of what to choose.

I just bought my Nikon D3100 and there were several factors I considered before buying it. 1 was price, 2 was reviews from others who own this camera, 3 was what it was capable of doing, 4 since it was my first DSLR, I liked the "guide" feature that suggests the best settings to take a picture given the kind of shooting I will be doing whether it's macro, landscape, portrait and so on... and yes I sought advise here, but I only chose relevant information, not mere rivalry or "opinion" without someone explaining why a Canon t3i would be a better choice than a Nikon D3100 or D5100 for that matter. The 5th reason I went with the D3100 was the fact that I was familiar with certain functions that were in my bridge camera, that are in the D3100.

It came with a kit lense an 18-55mm and it takes excellent portraits, and panos, but it had virtually NO ZOOM. I broke down and got a 55-200mm zoom lense, and would have went with a 55-300mm zoom but it was out of stock, and after just getting off of the initial investment for the camera and other essentials for it, I was tapped out; and I don't want to be a selfish grinch this Christmas either. (more than I feel like I'm being now.)

Bottom line, ask your friends, online friends, (like here) and read reviews of those who are into photography what camera they use and why they like it, and ask them what they can do with their equipment. That should be your final determination because at the end of the day, you are making the purchase and you have to live with that purchase.

Grumpy D Stevens

By your picture, it seems you are in the ATL. I would suggest going to your local Wolf camera store OR making a visit to Showcase @ the corner of LaVista and Cheshire Bridge roads in Atlanta. Both should be able to help you and they will usually be very competitive on price to the big players on the internet. Keep in mind that a few dollars one way or the other should not keep you from supporting the Local camera shops.
As a disclaimer, I used to work with Wolf (before they bankrupted the second time as Ritz) and now I buy almost all of my stuff (Canon) from Showcase. They are really good folks and very knowledgable.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

I think Steven must have found his camera. 4 Pages of help and no reply:( Guess I should not have said NIKON. :)
Erv

1eyedjack

Don't forget to check out SONY & PENTAX.
Your new camera must feel good in the hands to work well.

WildBill Loc: South West Florida

That is straight from the manufacture so why don't you explain their meaning to me if I got it wrong. I am fairly sure I do have my facts correct and was told this by reputable camera shop as well. Off brand lens, flash, batteries... all can void warranties.

WildBill Loc: South West Florida

http://www.ehow.com/how_7512161_void-nikon-warranty.html

Maybe this will help you get your facts straight. :)
Always glad to help.

olderguy Loc: South Dakota

fotogk said it very well. I have been shooting for over 30 years and have Never had a problem with my Nikon cameras (midgrade to topgrade). One of my photo friends has had a Canon for the last five years which he likes. An open mind and how they feel when you try them out says a lot. Personally I do not think you will make a mistake with either decision.

stevenkl Loc: Swainsboro,GA

Hello guys...sorry I was out for a while ..I have had both Canon and Nikon at the same time.. Here is a shot of my daughter with my EOS A2 from 9 years ago..
Thanks to all!
Steve

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

Hey Doc ..... go hold em ..... whatever feels better in your hands is the one to get .....

stevenkl Loc: Swainsboro,GA

That Canon was a pretty sweet camera and felt like the best camera I ever held..so looks like Canon again.
Thanks !

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

That's cool. Got to go with what fits. :) Have fun and show us what you shoot.
Erv

stevenkl Loc: Swainsboro,GA

Hi Grump: Are you refng to the portrait I took? If so,I can't remember,but I think I know why you say Auto..DOF. I would have rethought that and shot it at a lsmaller 4.0 fstop to blow out the background. Then again , it is a pretty background. I love Canons the best. Nikon? Well, now that's what I have. My FE,FM's were sweet and then Minoltas' came along. So, I've decided to go back to Canon.7D,since don't need FF. If I did get an old film camera body, then FF would be automatic! Yep, been to Showcase a few times...but bought from Photobarn in Lilburn..they have gone out of business I heard? Now live too far away, closer to Savannah, Just one little Mom /Pop store there. World Wide Camera?
Take care!
Steve

jsolomons Loc: Huntington Beach, CA

I love the answers other members have given - and they are all correct!

I will chip in by saying you should start by learning how to take perfectly sharp pictures handheld at 1/30 with a mid-range zoom.

Once you can do that, you will find that virtually any camera you get will be good enough :)

dtparker Loc: Small Town, NC

Canon or Nikon again, eh? My answer is maybe. :) I LOVE my Nikons because of the feel - been using them so long they feel like extensions of my hands.

Pentax, Fuji, and Olympus are players, too, as you know, and Sony is trying hard to get in the game.

Of course, if you own a small country, there is also Leica.

Dave

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

I love my wife, cause of how she feels, never been married to a camera though!? :lol:
SS