Zone-System-Grandpa Loc: Springfield, Ohio

Yes, questions asked about which is best between Canon and Nikon have been asked way, way too often and way, way too many times, yet has anyone ever torn apart a Canon or a Nikon of equal value and really looked over the guts inside both camera bodies ?

As for Canon, you might want to start with a typical EOS body often sold in Mom & Pop discount stores such as Walmart or Best Buy. Then, pick out a Nikon body of equal quality and equal value..

You may be surprised as to which one has the sturdiest parts within and which one has proved to have the longest lasting shutter mechanisms over the years.

If you have never ventured inside either, plan to do so sometime ! You may be very surprised when you see which brand has a more solid construction !!!

I will not reveal my findings nor findings from repair shop techs I know, but if you check them out for yourself, you will, then, become a believer as to which brand puts their money in engineering as they have put their money from their advertising mouths :)

Oh, before the bashing upon this writer begins, why not check out two equal value cameras from both companies for yourself ! Yes, you will be surprised and don't forget to check out the wiring and the motherboards too and see if you can determine which brand has higher quality, heavier duty integral routings. AND, for what it is worth, I own both brands of cameras ~ those of the past and those made today.. Hint: You may even dive into a couple of film cameras so as to get a head start with the process because not much has changed in their individual qualities provided even today. IMHO, both are well made cameras, but can you find which one may be better ?

This guy will sign off for now because it's way too early in the day for him to begin taking the heat, although, you may want to exchange your findings with our other UHH members :idea: :thumbup:

davefales Loc: Virginia

Provacative and well written. :thumbup:

But the only Canons I have are broken P&S types with the lens error. Could that be a clue? :P

wilikioti Loc: Deep South, USA

I can't wait to see how many will rush out to buy these cameras to take apart and compare. BTW, Walmart and Best Buy are about as far as you can get from a "Mom and Pop" store. :D

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

Boy Doug, you may have opened up a can of worms that you may not be able to close. I too have both, but this is
my first Canon (dslr) and I have had many Nikons. The slrs
of yesteryear were built like tanks (Nikon Fs) and would last forever, I got rid of my last two Fs about eight years
ago and were still in great condition. If I had to do it again,
I would have kept at least one of them.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

I don't know if I'd be able to make any kind of accurate assessment by simply looking at the insides. Delicate parts do not necessarily equate to inferior design/construction, nor do sturdy parts always mean superior design/construction. Some parts of a machine that are not directly impacted by physical stress can be quite "flimsy" without really influencing the machine's operation or diminishing its endurance and longevity.

Ultimately, actual stress tests on the camera and the resulting data have more to say than individual parts within the camera.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

You mean how does the camera do in actual use??!!!!

Why would anyone care about that?

That would be like choosing a car based on how long it lasts and how well it actually drives!!

Totally pointless!!!

I just buy two cars and take them apart. It is so much easier!

There are those on this forum who DO firmly believe that the proof is not in the pudding but in the ingredients.

I would rather get the best shot in the field than have the best pieces of a camera on my table.

wayne-03 Loc: Minnesota

I would think that there is very little difference in build quality between comparable models of each camera. I would think that the differences are going to be in the programming and how each company accomplishes certain task. One way that Canon and Nikon differ is how they address exposure compensation in the aperture priority (AV) and shutter speed priority (TV) modes. On a Nikon DSLR when you dial in exposure compensation in these two modes it affects both shutter speed and aperture because they are tied together on a Nikon. On a Canon DSLR in these two modes the shutter speed and aperture are separated. If you are in aperture priority (AV) on a Canon DSLR and dial in exposure compensation only your shutter speed is affected, your aperture remains constant. If you are in shutter speed priority (TV) on a Canon DSLR and dial in exposure compensation only your aperture is affected, your shutter speed remains constant.

davefales Loc: Virginia

Today I learned something new. Thanks.

wayne-03 Loc: Minnesota

Another difference between Canon and Nikon is the High Speed Sync command for the flash. On a Nikon you access this command in the camera menu. On a Canon you access this command at the flash.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

I have just completely dissembled both my cameras after reading your post!
I'll have to say, the Canon had thicker circuit boards and the ribbons where more flexible. The Canon had bigger processors and was much better looking inside too. The weather sealing was exactly the same, made by the same company, labeled Samsung and said made in China!
But reliability seems to be the same for both, as now, neither the 1Dx or the D4 work any more!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:
SS

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

So what you are saying SS is taking them apart renders them worthless and not one is better than the other?
Thanks, that saved all of us from the same fate of having
worthless cameras.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Again two of many, Doug. There are a lot of cameras to look inside of. And lets hope that those paying for pro bodies of any brand are actually getting something for 3x the money. And I seriously doubt today's digital cameras will be working in 50 years like a film camera. I have working ones that were made before 1955. Like computers and cell phones, we've become a disposable society. So does it matter how long they last?

But I commend your efforts to suggest a rational scientific approach. But let's expand it a bit.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Best Buy opens at 9:00. I'll get three models of each and take them apart. My patience is limited, so hammer and cold chisel will get me inside quickest. Photos to follow. :D

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

First go to Home Depot and Sears. Buy hammers and a chisels by Stanley and Craftsman. Take them apart and compare the parts.

You may be surprised as to which one has the sturdiest parts within and which one has proved to have the longest lasting mechanisms over the years.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Unless someone has the engineering and design experience to properly assess what they find, the resulting opinions will be just that: opinions. Uninformed opinions. Most likely, biased uninformed opinions.