Jerrin1 Loc: Wolverhampton, England

Over the years I have owned 7 x Canon cameras, my last being a Canon 7D mark II. I have only ever owned one Nikon camera - one of my two current cameras, a D500 (I also own an Olympus). I have discovered that Nikon is better for low light/high ISO shots than Canon and it is doubtful I will ever return to the Canon brand. Nevertheless, you would be advised to handle the D7200 and it's nearest Canon equivalent and take a few test shots with both. I believe that, in general, Canon cameras are better for video.

Haydon

Question: Should I buy Nikon or Canon?
Answer: Yes!

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

It has always been, and will always be, the photographer, not the camera.

Old Al Loc: Litchfield County, Connecticut

I have Nikon for scenic & architecture (2 stops more dynamic range than Canon sensors), and Canon for sports (faster & better auto focus tracking ). Both are outstanding at what they do best. BUT, I would highly recommend going mirrorless - that is the future. The FUJI X cameras are the 21st century Leica's. Sony also makes great mirrorless, but the bodies are (except for the full frame) geared for amateurs. They lack the hands on knobs and aperture rings so favored by FUJI/Leica owners. FUJI, unlike Sony, has a wide range of dedicated lens at half the weight and half the cost. Most are better than Nikon or Canon lenses and many on a par with non focus Zeiss (I have 5). I do not want to come across as a braggart, but my reasoning is that most dedicated SLR users look down there nose at the little Fujis. After loaning them out to friends, five have bought them. Read the FUJI Portal web, U have never seen such a group of fanatic fans, most of whom have converted from SLRs. With a SLR, try focusing in tight with an 85, 105, or 135 portrait lens, with the focus point ON the eye, wide open aperture, and your beloved Nikon & Canons will give U sharp eye lashes, but the iris, the key to spectacular head shots, will be out of focus. The FUJI will nail it every time. At the Javitts center fall Expo at the Nikon booth I tried the new 105 f1.4. I took 5 head shots of people, all eyes were sharp. After checking controls, they had the ISO jacked up and the F stop at 5.6. I adjusted the stop to F1.4, took 10 or more head shots with the focus spot right on the eyes, and NOT one was sharp! Why pay $ 2,100 plus on a lens that u can not shoot wide open for the beautiful background . Go mirrorless.

dave.m

like most , I bought what I thought was the best price/ performance/ based on advice I could afford when I first bought a dslr. You already have good advice on go to a store. Also whatever you buy today as the best as you see it, will change the next time Canon/ Nikon/ Sony/ Panasonic bring out their next all singing, all dancing model.

The only thing I would add is get the body you want and the best 'walkabout' zoom you can afford and carry around. By that I mean 18 - 200+ lens. Don't bother with the typical 24-50mm kit lens. You will soon 'need' more lenses and the moment you buy an expensive extra lens you are hooked - as you don't want to loose money on the body and lens/es you have bought.

Also a 18-200+ lens will be a good all rounder while you make a long term decision on manufacturer and/or other lenses. Have a look at and try the Tamron/ Sigma lenses as well as manufacturer's own. I found when I originally started with dslr the Tamron was really good and a lot cheaper than Canon's own. Tamron and Sigma also 'leap frog' each other and sometimes OEM lenses as well so try everything you can.

Finally two points: especially for your first purchase, use your local store and go midweek not the 'rush hours'. you will typically pay a bit more than Amazon BUT they will be helpful and knowledgeable and not just box shifters. Also if you buy a separate body + lens you will often have room to negotiate a better price. And NEVER buy a used lens without testing thoroughly - when you start you want any problems to be part of your learning, not because someone unloaded a knackered lens on you.

Good luck and enjoy

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

You can't go wrong with the D7200. It's a great camera. Regardless what you get, you'll have to get used to handling it and learn how it works.

Read comparisons and specs, and decide what features are important to you.
(Reviews) https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCameraStoreTV/videos
http://www.cameradecision.com/
http://cameras.reviewed.com/
http://camerasize.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://snapsort.com/compare
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

Before the 300th war once again starts for the Nikon Vs Canon, they are both good. Buy the one that has the features you want and fits comfortably in your hand.

I wouldn't go lower only because you can always grow into a camera with more function.

Good luck.

NikonCharlie Loc: Kansas USA

Let us know what you decide, Canon or Nikon.

fourg1b2006 Loc: Long Island New York

You can't go wrong with either one. My suggestion is to go to a camera store and feel each one in your hand. One might feel better than the other. Check out it's features and see which one would suit your needs better. Good luck.

Somerset Lynn Loc: Somerset, NJ

Why not throw Sony into the mix? Great cameras and top quality Zeiss lens. Only problem is the number of choices for lens.

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

Both are great, look at the lens lineup for both and consider that too.

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Both make good cameras and you probably will be well satisfied with either. The suggestion of going to a camera store and handling each is a good suggestion if you have a store locally. Also I would suggest you read the reviews on each camera and based on the type of shooting you plan/like to do you should be able to make a logical decision. Have fun selecting and learning your new camera.

photon56 Loc: North America

agreed

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Then get the one that feels the most comfortable and the controls are most convenient to use.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

No one cares what you buy!