WesIam wrote:
I see a lot of post mostly about Hoggers using Nikon & Canon cameras.Would like to know about people that use other brands.I have always had Nikons.Would like to know about other brands and if there advantages.In a nut shell are there better dslr out there?Are we missing out by not trying other brands?
Canon and Nikon have been the most successful in the market for ages. Canon has the largest share. Nikon has the high end. And yes, we are missing out when we ignore other brands!
Competition is great for innovation, and many companies offer camera features and form factors not available in the major brands.
Sony is a relative newcomer to the game, but grew into it through acquisitions. They make the sensor "chips" that go into a lot of other brands' cameras, including Nikon's offerings. Their bodies are solid, and their lenses are sharp.
Fujifilm used to sell Nikon bodies with their own sensors and electronics stuffed inside. Their claim to fame was dynamic range. But their limitation was not making the whole camera. Now they make excellent X-Series mirror-less cameras and a line of professional grade lenses to match.
Panasonic makes the LUMIX line of mirror-less cameras. Their GH4 is a Micro-Four-Thirds format (m43) interchangeable lens camera that is certainly worth looking at, especially if you care about video. It is currently an independent filmmaker's mainstay, but it also takes excellent still photos.
Olympus is the other major player in m43. Their OM-D cameras are legendary and are favored by many still shooters.
The line of lenses available for Micro-Four-Thirds is particularly extensive, as is the capability of m43 cameras with adapters to fit lenses you might already own. See
http://hazeghi.org/mft-lenses.html for the m43 lens list.
The clear advantage of m43 is size and weight reduction. A full pro kit of m43 gear is 1/3 to 1/4 the size, bulk, and weight of a full frame dSLR rig. Of course, m43 also comes with some practical low light limitations (6400 is about the reasonable ISO speed limit), and image size limitations of around 16GB (the sensor has 1/4 the area of full frame camera sensors). Depth of field is also extended by the equivalent of two f/stops over that of full frame cameras. That can be a benefit or detriment, depending on your subject matter.
www.dpreview.com is one good source for information and gear reviews. Check them out; the site's been around for over 15 years. They have about the most extensive collection of lengthy and detailed camera and lens reviews anywhere.