Canon vs. Nikon: Which is better?

I can no longer recall how many times I have been asked this question. And it surely isn’t a surprise if it comes from someone who is new and really interested to take up photography for whatever reason.

So in this post, I would give the chatter I most commonly give someone who asks for my opinions and recommendations before finally deciding which camera brand to buy.

Brand wars: Canon vs. Nikon

For new hobbyists and entry level photographers, this usually boils down to personal preference because regardless of the brand, it is how the photographer uses his or her own camera to the fullest. It’s pretty much like choosing between two popular brands of potato chips on a grocery shelf. Both have their own pros and cons.

As I see it, choosing a brand is looking more than just the name itself. You have to check the brand versus your budget, and as equally important, check on the features each brand/model offers and see what suits your liking. Feel them in your hands, see which grip gives you better comfort, etc.

What brand to choose?

When someone approaches me and asks me which brand to choose, More often than not, I throw back another question: If there are any, what camera brand do your friends or family members use? I suggest that you go get the same brand as theirs.

Why?

First, since you have the same camera brand, chances are you have the same menus, the same operations between camera models. You can share techniques with each other more easily.

Second, you can share camera accessories with each other. If you have a friend who owns the same lens you are planning to buy, you can borrow and test his or her lens before deciding on your purchase.

I shoot with a Nikon. Why Nikon?

My father used to own a Canon film SLR camera and all our compact digicams after that were Canons. I seriously considered getting a Canon 400D 2 years ago, but I chose to go Nikon. Why? I read a massive number of reviews, went over the features of the camera models within my budget regardless of brand and finally decided to go with Nikon. But by choosing a Nikon camera doesn’t mean it’s better than Canon. It’s just a matter of preference. I believe that brand names alone should not be the deciding factor.

At the end of it all, it boils down to how you, the photographer, perform and make a brand be better.

Related posts:

1. My Camera Chronicles Here’s a very nerdy post about my personal camera history....

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