Have to ask...what does Canon have over Nikon now?

I have been watching and waiting to see if Canon would have any new camera announcements. So far, here are the things that Canon currently offers that Nikon doesn't:

21 mp under $2500.
Somewhat better video output.
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Am I missing anything?

Ok, now what Nikon currently offers that Canon doesn't:

24+ mp with a very good ISO6400
12mp with an excellent ISO25600
Pro AF system in mid-level crop AND full frame bodies
Full frame compatibility with crop lenses (reducing MP)
14-24 f/2.8

So....am I about right?

When exactly is this going to change? Is Canon ever going to make any new cameras on their upper end or will it be another 2 years? Seems like they're doing a bad job of keeping up. Yes the 7D looks pretty good, but it is still a crop camera and not the best low light performer, even compared to older Nikon full frame cameras (D700) in the same price range and with similar features.

In my opinion, the 1d IV is the most unimpressive attempt yet - and it is especially unimpressive because they force-fed ISO settings 51200 and 102400 that it could not handle. Why put settings in if they are not usable? At least the Nikon D3s makes a "usable" 102400, comparatively speaking.

As a Canon user, am I destined to only have the availability of cameras that are technologically not on the top rung?

The 7D might not compete with the D700 at high ISOs, but I don't really expect it to. It's still the best APS-C camera out there.

As far as Canon's advantage, you basically summed it up. I think video is more than "somewhat" better, though....

I still prefer Canon's menu interface, button layout, and body/grip shape, but what's holding me to Canon is better overall prime lens options. And I'm jumping to Leica or some other smaller system eventually, so no point losing money just for a temporary switch to Nikon.

What prime lens superiority does Canon have now?

form wrote in post #12176381
What prime lens superiority does Canon have now?

Better cheap lenses.

Fanboy alert?

I would say that having better ISO output is very nice, but not everything...
and have you even tried them all ?

Odin

form wrote in post #12176265
Am I missing anything?

Ever since Nikon and Canon became the premier companies for 35mm SLR film cameras, a few generations ago, the two businesses have leapfrogged each other with new gadgets. The same pattern has continued now that the companies have stopped developing 35mm film cameras and moved to digital imaging.

For a few months, it'll look as if Canon equipment has a technical advantage. Then, it'll look as if Nikon equipment is better. In few months, someone on a Nikon-oriented message board will look at new cameras from Canon, declare them to be superior and ask why Nikon can't make something better.

But, everyone who want to use DSLR's has benefited from this competition, because improved equipment has been made available at reasonable prices. No longer does a hobbyist need to spend US $15,000 to buy a camera body, and US $700 bodies are far superior than equipment that was state of the art just a few years ago.

The cameras have gotten so good that the only limits you'll find are a photographer's skill and imagination.

Nothing. Canon will probably be throwing in the towel soon.

/sarcasm

L lenses come with hoods. I don't think Nikon lenses ever come with hoods.

Wilt wrote in post #12176820
L lenses come with hoods. I don't think Nikon lenses ever come with hoods.

I thought most Nikon lenses came with hoods. Now a pouch, that's an entirely different matter.

Besides, if lens hoods even come up as a competitive comparison, it's pretty pathetic / grasping at straws, IMO.

The only thing that is different is how they feel. The rest is nothing to worry about.

RTPVid wrote in post #12177302
Besides, if lens hoods even come up as a competitive comparison, it's pretty pathetic / grasping at straws, IMO.

My point was that any comparison of any brands is generally pathetic. Nikon reigned as #1 for many decades, before Canon finally moved to #1 position by virtue of its lower noise digital sensor, and its move into FF sensors.

Well, if I was new to looking at DSLRs and wanted only the latest and greatest and cuold afford to jump on the best, well, sure, I'd look seriously at the Nikons and hypothetically go that way.

But, I don't regret my buying into the Canon system in the least. The two bodies I shoot with deliver the goods I need. They are both several years old, but are still as good as they were the day I bought them, and they share an excellent collection of lenses that continue to deliver for me as well. They may be a notch down in high ISO availability compared to the newest bodies, but still deliver in whatever low light situations I shoot in. Yeah, if I had a requirement for the best ISO 6400/12800, etc, I'd look for the best body out there. But I don't, I'm happy with a usable ISO 3200 when needed, and even that I rarely resort to.

So, I just don't waste my energy on getting worked up over the competition betweeen Canon and Nikon. Why bother? If you are waiting anxiously for the "next thing" to come out, well, OK, if you have a real personal need for this, well, OK, but that ain't me!

Also I hear it's the CPS that Canon have that Nikon don't?...

toxic wrote in post #12176367
As far as Canon's advantage, you basically summed it up. I think video is more than "somewhat" better, though....

I wouldn't be too sure about that, the D7000's video options and control make it far more video-friendly than the lower-end Canons (anything not 5D2) and if the new D700s or whatever comes out with video capability near the 5D2....
I think the only thing video-wise canon has over Nikon is 720p60. I'm not sure if Nikon is going to step up to the framerate plate or not... but I do hope so. The G2 or whatever, the Panasonic, has some impressive video capability as well IIRC.

When it comes to HDSLR video, though, it's really all about high quality, affordable manual-focus prime lenses, and in that department, Nikon's used market wipes the floor of Canon's. A number of professional HDSLR camera ops are using Nikon lenses on adapters for their 5D2's for a reason... (Zeiss is also where it's at for lenses.)


...the new T3i has an interesting "zoom" mode though.