Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Good answer, and I agree. A good camera shop, run by pros, not a chain store with part time help that only wants to sell you a camera. They will tell you whatever one you're interested in is the best one. A good pro shop will assist you knowledgeably.

When you ask, ask about the strengths and weaknesses of each, decide which way you lean in photography, and go with the one that fits your needs the best. Then take time to learn the camera. It won't be a quick & easy learning session, either. Takes time and using the camera a lot, until you are thoroughly familiar with it and using it become instinctual.

In the end, this subject has been beaten thoroughly, so you won't get any definitive answers here. Both brands are excellent, but users/fans are polarized, so a subjective answer here may be elusive. You can't go wrong with either. Again, just go to a good camera store and ask questions to help you make up your mind which way to go. Good luck and happy hunting.

BigWahoo Loc: Kentucky

agree

yhtomit Loc: Port Land. Oregon

Compare the D800E or D810 to anything Canon...

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Canon optimised their lensmount for size and full electronic control in 1987 and optimised auto focus for speed and sccuracy by putting the focus motors in the lenses also in 1987. Nikon is a johnny come lately in this regard. Currently, Nikon does have an edge in sensor performance.

travelwp Loc: New Jersey

The rating differences are exactly the same as Ford vs Chevy.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

And I picked Canon, period.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

We can beat this subject to death up for the next 10 years and every one of us has our own opinion, and like it has been said, the best thing for the O P to do is to get somewhere where we can try out the different cameras and find out what will work best for him/her

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Since the Canon 5D IV is coming out early next year, it may be a game changer. While the D800 has a somewhat better, and much higher resolution sensor, a sensor alone doesn't make a camera. The cameras flip flop as new offerings from each vendor come out. And, if the OP is not interested in the D810, than your argument is somewhat moot.

travelwp Loc: New Jersey

Did you notice that the 'canon vs nikon' troll was IN HIDING?

JDVan Loc: Near Seattle

I went through this in detail when I selected the Nikon D80 vs the equivalent Canon. The Canon was a little less expensive. But one of the final determinants for me was how the camera fit my hand. The canon was too small for my hand size and large long fingers. A lot of parameters have to be included in the decision process. I was very happy with the Nikon D80 for many years. Until it got dropped, camera and lens, on to asphalt. @#$%^&* It has now been replaced by a Nikon D7100 but would still like to try to repair the D80 if the cost isn't completely out of line.

lowkick Loc: Connecticut

Both are great cameras. You cannot rate one brand vs. another, though. You need to compare each brand's model vs. the other brand's similar model. In the end, it doesn't matter which brand you buy, but which model best suits your needs.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

No... Minolta is now Sony.

So the correct answer is... Sony, Pentax, Sigma, Leica, Olympus.
:roll:

OP, this question is asked a lot... a whole lot!

Answer is that either Canon or Nikon can do you proud, used right. In fact any of the camera brands can do so. Do a search here and elsewhere for reviews of any specific models you are considering.

Lenses are more important than the camera they are used upon. Lenses have more to do with the quality of your images and your ability to capture the images you want. Most cameras today are very high quality and full featured. Some are more durably built (pro-oriented, some might say), while others may be more plasticky (more entry level, affordable & lighter weight). Each manufacturer makes various quality grades and you'll some variation in features... but with today's cameras you don't have to worry very much about image quality itself.

Go to a store to handle and play around with the camera models you're considering. Likely one will "feel" better to you, will just seem to make more sense where it's controls are located, etc. That may be the better choice for you.
Then consider other things, such as the full system that's available and how well that meets your needs. Not only consider the manufacturer's own offerings, also look at what third party manufacturers offer for use with it.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

No wonder they are so over-priced! :lol:

skiman Loc: Ventura, CA

Everybody is just so wishy washy on this subject, they are the same, both make great cameras, use search, look at the review at this link, etc. the op wants us to rate the difference. So here you go:
The difference is 49 to 51 percent different.

davidp5255

perfect answer