Nikon or Canon?

Before I start to share anything, I need it is important to first warn you that, review is meant to compare and get some first hand information from those who experienced. But this doesn't mean that what they or I say is true that you should ingest whatever you see. And since this is about experience, it is really subjective and what important to me, doesn't mean it is important to you. So, take what you need. :)

Getting my very first DSLR is a truly dilemma for me.

Frankly speaking, I know totally nothing about camera back then, shutter speed, aperture, ISO, depth of field, to name a few which you will eventually need to know as a beginner. Worst still, the description of each camera given from the website is a truly alien language. Knowing standing still would not help the situation any better, I simply settle myself on two most pro-consumer brand, Canon and Nikon.

Then, look into the specs of both, it is really unlikely you can tell a difference between them, they look just the same. Like how you can't really differentiate the different kind of "ang mo" which all looks the same to you simply because the minimal contact that you've made with them.

So, I move on to test out camera, because contact is what matter. I borrowed my brother's friend camera which appears to be a nikon D5000 and I am quite satisfy with it, no big issue about it. Then few days later I get in contact with a Lumix G2 or GF2, i am not too sure. I may have subjected to bias because it just doesn't sounds and feels "right" to me with its 4 third technology sensor and digital viewfinder, it just does not amaze me in any way.

To have first contact with Nikon gear, may have actually put me into a primacy effect, where Nikon appears to be more likeable by me, and as what my friend usually say, i start to poison myself how good Nikon Camera are, and the top of my list is then the newly launch, D5100.

I went on to compare the similar range offered by Canon, which is 600D.

*Side note: if you ever notice, there are always comparable model between Canon and Nikon with almost similar features and specifications as well the price.

Speaking from the biased mouth, D5100 seems so promising with its user friendly features (you can check it out on your own), and I kind of stick my mind to it and sort of "decided" to buy it.

Then I feel it is not fair to compare Nikon and Canon without even "feel" the latter one. So, like once in a blue moon, I went to Camera shop to actually "feel" it. (Btw, I am not that kind of person go shop just for trying unless I really wanted to buy from them, so, to have make the decision to go just for a try is seriously a big breakthrough for me)

Test result?

Canon did feel better now!

And it is really good that you should survey beforehand, otherwise, you can't speak a single thing with the sales person. You should disclose with them why you think Nikon is good, and the beautiful thing is, they will actually "fight back" and say Canon has the similar features or explain to you that the feature you mentioned is not that useful anyway. (of course, this is provided the sales person you spoke to is experienced and willing to share, and how to spot who is pro and who is not? simple, you intuition will tell you. I bet you can tell a difference between a pro and a noob when they open their mouth). After the sharing session, now I got more information consolidated! What is the next you should do? Check it out whether what the sales person says is true, this is because sometimes they do bluff when they want you to feel that they know everything. And there is really times where certain customer do takes in everything the sales person say.

And so I did check it out. I list out my need, and list out all the pros and cons of both camera provided. Snapsort.com appears to be a very good first site to check out to know the general specs from both camera and direct comparison. From my opinion, it is really meant for you to know "something" about camera, but not in and out. More importantly, their opinion and suggestion are rather "subjective" which they rate it based on "their" need, not yours.

After all the listing, I cut off the pros and cons that are not really that important, such as the weight of it, the size of the viewfinder, and etc. As my early intention to get a camera is to shoot movie, my options quickly focus on the video features that both camera provide and Canon seems to stand out the most with the maximum control one can get.

Having say so, the main reason I choose Canon 600D is because it just "feels" better in my grip even after all the hectic information surveying. I totally agree with what the salesman says, if you cannot feel comfortable with your camera, how you going to use them and learn.

So, needless to say anymore, if you intend to get one, just go the nearest store and get a feel of it! They don't scold if you don't buy. But I am damn sure you will regret if you never try.

Hope you enjoy reading!

*some side notes:

(this is the place of some rumors and some facts that others people say, which may be true and may be wrong too!)

1) If you are comparing between entry level, Canon seems to have a sturdier build as compared to Nikon even though both of them are so "plastic-like". And I do feel the difference from the tactile sensation. If going up to mid pro and pro, there seems to be no difference from both.

2) Again, this is more for entry level model. The Nikon "rubber grip" has been complained to get sticky after some time of usage (apprx, 2 years) as compared to Canon.

3) Canon's pictures claimed to be more natural, and Nikon's pictures are more sharp.

4) People often make this simplify statement, if for video, pick Canon, if for pictures, pick Nikon.

5) Nikon offered better low light performance at the expense of lower megapixel.

6) Extension to the previous statement, Canon offered higher megapixel as compared with its same-range competitor.

7) The reason Canon wins over video is because user can manually adjusting the exposure. But Nikon do lately provides plenty promising features in video recording, with only one exception, it is all auto and you are really basically just press record and give the camera do the job. (you might love this, but film-maker hates this, they think no control = you're simply noob).

Again, hope it helps!