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!

My very first camera - which one should i pick?

Many, at least 4 have asked me what camera they should buy and after answering for a couple of time, and with my little experience when making the choice of buying my very first own camera, i think it is kind a good start for first ever photography-related post.

Before all this start, my advice would be more related to those who having the choices between Nikon and Canon.

Okay, let's get it started.

1) Budget.

The first thing ever that you should consider is of course, your budget.

Considering your buying power could really help you to settle down on your range of choice. Having say so, it should also not to limiting yourself, as certain people would wait for another few more months to save for a better camera (if you are the kind who can hold your temptation for a little longer)

Overall, for the ease of general population, main manufacturers have kind of sort out 3 category catered for different users or better still, just to let people have the feel of upgrading from one to another level (or I should use illusion instead) depends on the body they used. Which I will call it entry level, mid-pro, pro.

For a budget below 3k, you may considering buying entry level with a standard kit-lens of 18-55mm.

From 3k to 5k, mid pro and above that would be pro-level.

(this is really meant for first user which absolutely know nothing about camera and want to "learn" something from it, which is why I suggest they stick to the kit-lens)

*One special note on the budget topic is that, you should also consider about the other accessories that you are going to buy later. Thus, having the thought that over a bit of the budget to get a certain higher-end camera may actually make your "later life" suffer which in other words, you are eventually "stucked" for the same thing for a little longer time. Therefore, you should really plan out your path of needs, which I will discuss in the second point.

2) Needs.

People often say, buy what you need, not what you want. This may especially true in buying your very first camera gear. If you hanging on entry level, why don't you pay a bit more for mid-pro as it provides extra features. If you thinking to get mid-pro, why not just for the pro, as you know you going to use that like forever? You see my point? It will be a never-ending process that seriously drain out the very last blood-smelt-penny from your wallet. And we are just talking about the camera body, what if I include also the lenses? filter? tripod? flashes? and more and more....?

Together with the buying power, it might be good to consider also what other accessories that you would like to have in the very near future.

Of course, I know it is kind of unrealistic to speak this to the first user, as they dun even know what they will eventually need. But hey, to me, I really feel it is an important step to take note on.

I set my budget on 2 to 3k, and I eventually spend almost 4k because of other things that I failed to consider. (I would talk about this on my other post)

A bit off topic, back to the need theory.

First, you should keep remind yourself of the reason you wanted to get a DSLR, the purpose of using it.

Portrait? Event shoot? Simply leisure? Landscape?

A brief example, if you are about to use it to take family picture - the so-called "captures the moment" or use it to video your son's birthday and etc and eventually you share to the world via facebook, it is really unwise to get a mid-pro camera. Because in that case, higher burst mode, sturdy built, larger viewfinder, better cross-type AF system, longer battery with more shot, fast access to key features, and more... is not related to you at all. You spent on something that you not going to use it at all.

Okay, say if now you know you going to cover it for event, mostly indoor,

and you going to make use of it to make money, but you have not enough money to get the top level of camera.

So, in this case, not only getting the right camera is important to you, even the related accessories also. Spending whole of yourself only on body and kit lens could only satisfy you as much, you would get bored and learn slow eventually (personal opinion). Worst still, you are literally "stucked" with what you have now. Thus, if you are plan to learn to cover for events, talking in a budget of 4k, instead of spending the whole on a mid-pro camera, it might be more appropriate to get an entry level and get a better flash for yourself.

In some case, people go for macro, then you have to consider also the macro lens, tripod, ring flash for macro and etc.

So, to know what you really need, is the most crucial part in making the call.

*Side note: Know your future buying power - are you the one who able to save extra in near future? If yes, then you can probably make adjustment as appropriate to fulfill your need, optimized the available budget for the body and get the accessories in future, for example.

I know this post is pretty lengthy but I hope you do enjoy reading it and get the most out of it. (I am hitting two bird actually, learn to write and learn to share. :)).

More to come in the future!