My impressions 30D vs 5D vs Nik D200

[MrChad]

Now that the fall rebate season is upon us I have finally decided to upgrade. Unfortunately a made the mistake of using a good friends D200 this past week. What a gem of a Camera, mind you I currently have a 300D.

But I was immensly impressed with the Nikon viewfinder. The ability to turn the AF grid lines on and off plus the size of it for a crop factor body was impressive. The grip was also very nice indeed. I wasn't to keen on the rear dial being the shutter however vs. the aperture. But perhaps that is one of the many cf'n in the Nikon? In addition, the LCD was likely one of the nicest I have seen on a DSLR to date.

Immediately after using his D200 I went to my local shop to try out the 30D and the 5D. Ah, the 5D so nice, perfect in nearly everyway except for the price. That said, I would have to agree with other 3rd party reviews the Nikon just had a fantastic feeling grip in hand.

The 30D left me a bit disappointed, it wasn't too far off from the 5D, but the shutter noise. It sounded much clackier then the 5D it almost sounded cheap by comparison. But the penta-prism was so very nice, much nicer then my Drebel's mirror type.

Given that even with the rebates you could still afford (2) 30Ds vs. a 5D I likely will have to keep waiting for that digital equal to my Canon Elan 7. However, I really hope the 40D has some massive upgrades come next year because I was way too tempted by the performance and feel of the D200 in hand and up to the eye.

The construction and feel in hand of the D200 was mighty impressive. If I didn't already have a nice set of lenses I may have just switched systems. What a nice rig for the price.

I think Canon needs to step up and deliever a body that feels and interfaces this good in hand, and eye.

[incendy]

The d200 is nice isn't it! I really love that camera and if it was full frame I would be very tempted as well!

[Hellashot]

But if only the grip of a camera actually took and made the pictures. Image quality is what matters most. How it feels in your hand is low on the list.

[Tee Why]

I concur, the Nikons do feel better in the hand than comparable Canons. I particularly like th D200 myself.

[Sterling30D]

Ah, the Nikon Canon debate. A buddy of mine has a D200 and I was able to snap a few shots with it this weekend. I liked it but that probably isn't a surprise. It's a very well built camera. As for it feeling better in hand than the Canon 30D, I personally didn't think so. It doesn't feel bad in hand but I like the feel of my 30D better. It's all a matter of personal preference so I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in. As far as image quality those, my 30D was way better with noise than his D200. Considering I bought this camera to shoot in low light I have to say that after using the D200 I'm sure I made the right choice going with the 30D.

[Keiffer]

Originally Posted by Hellashot

But if only the grip of a camera actually took and made the pictures. Image quality is what matters most. How it feels in your hand is low on the list.

Exactly what I was thinking. Try taking some low light shots and tell us what you think. I do think that the color and sharpness of pics right from the cam go to Nikon, But the freakin noise killed it for me. I swore when I gave up on my panasonic FZ15 that I would never put up with that again.

[MrChad]

Originally Posted by Hellashot

But if only the grip of a camera actually took and made the pictures. Image quality is what matters most. How it feels in your hand is low on the list.

But if you enjoy picking it up that much more, wouldn't you likely use it more? The best kitchen knife is the one you use right?

My buddy did conceed the Canon's have better high end noise. I'm sure his D200 isn't any worse then my Drebel though. He may be upgrading soon however, the new Fuji S5 pro has him tempted. Fuji sensor in a D200 shell, even I'm curious about that one.

As for me, I think I'll be ordering a 30D come Monday. Something to hold me over until the next great Canon vs. Nikon war. I'm hoping for huge feature gains on the 40D next year. I can't take not having metering control on my Drebel any longer.

I was also a bit shocked by his Nikkor 80-200mm AF f/2.8 lens. You know this is a very well made lens (and an oldy) and darn fast to AF even without a USM system or silent wave as Nikon calls it. If the 3rd parties ever made non-USM this good I might not even care Canon had USM. I actually thought in hand feel of the Nikkor was better then my Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L. I know pictures are the goal at the end of the day and my L has proven great for me in use. But that 80-200mm feel was so nice. Nikon's pro gear feels every bit as good in hand as Canon gear to me, if I had to start all over again today--boy picking a system would be a tough call.

Glad all my other buddies have Canon so I can swap lenses

My buddy that shoots Nikon use to be a Canon shooter, but in hand feel of the D200 swayed him to switch kits. He still has a bunch of Canon gear, but he shoots his Nikon rig the most now.

[timmciglobal]

I had the D200 (went from 20D) back to 30D now and let me tell you, the D200's issue is, and it's been in many reviews, it's really blown red saturation. Did a lot of shots on the D200 and just image quality, especially red channel, is just off.

It's a shame too. It's a fantastic body.

Tim

[Dante King]

Originally Posted by incendy

The d200 is nice isn't it! I really love that camera and if it was full frame I would be very tempted as well!

I am tempted too, until I look at the noise it creates at moderate ISO.

[incendy]

Originally Posted by Dante King

I am tempted too, until I look at the noise it creates at moderate ISO.

I agree there! although I have to admit to shooting at iso 50 probably 80% or more of the time and up to 250 the rest. I think I have used ISO 800 and higher about maybe 5 times since I got the 5d, but I do feel safer knowing that if I ever need it it will be useable!

[luant16]

looking by the spec in dpreview, its way better than 30D spec, but havent personally see it in person (although many said, including phil dpreview that the aerodynamic is much better than 30D and 5D)

[grego]

I actually prefer the grip of the 30D to the D200. Although i do like the build quality of the D200 more.

Oh well, i love my primary camera.

[whchan]

Originally Posted by MrChad

But if you enjoy picking it up that much more, wouldn't you likely use it more? The best kitchen knife is the one you use right?

I will pick up a camera if I want/need to take pictures, not becasue the camera feels good in hand. Would I eat more often if the fork & spoon feel better in my hands? Probably not. However, I do agree that even the Canon is excel in some areas (high ISO noise..etc.), Nikon is better in some other areas (Flash, metering...etc.).

[MrChad]

Originally Posted by Dante King

I am tempted too, until I look at the noise it creates at moderate ISO.

Well, I purchased my 300D after shooting film for years. When I shot film we didn't have the luxury of high ISO noise, it was called switch to ISO 1600 film. To be honest I find my Drebel better at 400-1600 then any film I had previously used in the past. So again I doubt I would find the D200 worse on it's own merits either.

I shoot ISO100 75% of the time, so high iso isn't really a big deal.

What I really liked about the D200 is the vast amount of cf'n to tailer the body to the user. Sure would be nice if the 30D replacement had some 1D-esk custom functions to tailor the body to the users tastes, more so then now. That "C" mode on the 5D dial would be very nice. A C1 and C2 would be even better.

...Would I eat more often if the fork & spoon feel better in my hands? Probably not.
The D200 definately felt better then a fork or spoon. j/k

[JulianL]

Originally Posted by Dante King

I am tempted too, until I look at the noise it creates at moderate ISO.

I've been tempted too...until I look at my bank account and realize what I'd have to spend on Nikon glass to replace my Canon glass.