Canon Digital Rebel vs Nikon D70

I just read the review on dpreview.com about the D70. And it's obvious from the review that the reviewer preferred the D70's images vs the Rebel.

I looked at the images and before I saw which image belonged to which camera; I chose the Canon's as being noticeably sharper. The Canon's color was more pleasing to my eyes.

See which you prefer. Click each image for the answer ie- look at the filename:

Based on these images, the 300D/Rebel has superior sharpness, a little better contrast, and looks a bit cleaner at 100% magnification (though I admittedly don't know the camera settings used for each picture).

Were these both with the camera's respective "kit" lenses? If so, both lenses look very good.

I've read the same review a few days ago and my conclusion was that the tester wasn't a member of this forum and maybe even forgot his glasses when he went to work .

Page 22?? ha ha ha!!!

Feature wise, Nikon beats the 300D hands down. But why did I choose to invest in Canon??

ISO 100
Image quality
Lens line-up

BTW, I picked the Canon image

Ro1

Most of the tests were done with a 50mm f/1.4 on each camera....... Sure it's black, sure it's got better features, but it's a Nikon...... Nikon can't touch Canon's lens lineup. Bodies come and go, you'll keep your lenses forever.....buy based on lenses, not bodies.

What this is can best be described as technological leapfrog. Nikon would be poorly served if after the Rebel has been on the market for months, they brought out a camera that wasn't better in at least some respects.

The problem with leapfrog from the consumr's point of view is that you have to be mindful of where you're going to land; in this case, do you want to land in the middle of the Canon lens lineup, or Nikon's?

I agree, but that may never result in comparing the results of testpictures and saying the Nikon deliver sharper pictures while everybody can see it's in fact the Canon that's sharper. As an 'independent' medium, knowing that people all over the world read your tests and make expensive decisions based on what you write, you should always proof you're independent.

I agree, Peter - it was apparent to me that the Canon's images were a bit sharper (and, I believe, the Canon contrast range might be wider as well). The cameras are pretty close, image-wise, as should be expected when the second-best camera maker catches up with Canon again.

Perhaps it is wishful thinking on Phil's part, using a bit of editorial license to spark a more competitive market, rather than just reporting the facts.

My own opinion:

1 - the Canon's images are slightly better
2 - the difference isn't that great
3 - If you already have a boatload of lenses by either Canon, or Nikon, the choice for you is obvious.
4 - If you are just starting into an SLR, you can't go wrong choosing the brand with the best glass available - and that would be Canon.

Its Canon's move next - Nikon moved, and there is nothing near a check-mate. They barely took a pawn, and aren't in a strong defensive position.

Nice metaphor, Tom.

The images all look the same.. your all a bunch of Pixel Peepers...






Seriously,. the D70 is a damn fine camera at a damn fine price.. for the one time DSLR buyer it is a convincing argument to go Nikon...

But as otheres have pointed out,.. the D70 is currently the ONE DSLR that Nikon has that excells in it's class. All others do,. and have for some time.. trial behind the respective Canon competition..

And more importantly.. I can't think of a single Nikon lens I would rather have over the Canon counterpart.

Last weekend I ventured into a large camera shop in an urban area [that also has a prominent web presence] and told the sales person I was interesting in upgrading from my G2. Frankly, my unspoken goal was to HOLD a few cameras and get the feel--I was not interested in purchasing one at that point.

He pushed the D70 exclusively--would barely let me touch the Rebel, and pooh-poohed my interest in the Rebel. When I pressed for details and concrete comparison information, and told him my interest was based on my happiness with Canon products to date, his demeanor was so offputting that I walked off.

There was a recent comparison in our local newspaper--its recommendation was the Canon if the user was upgrading from a current digital camera; and a Nikon if making the step from the film world.

Sounds a little like the kid at Circuit City last year that tried to steer me away from the S-400 in favor of an Olympus. I already knew what I wanted, and had asked for the little Canon when I walked in. He told me a few things that were not true to convince me that I wanted the Olympus. I suspect that there must have been a larger sales commission involved with the Oly.

Interesting pictures. However, in my opnion, they should no be a factor when one decides what camera to buy. Unless, of course, he only plans to take test picures of that sort.

I've heard some people saying that D70 has a better resolution and produces sharper pictures. IMHO, it's quite an odd statement. Sharpness, obviously, depends on lenses, processing settings and, most important, a photographer. I belive that there is no problem to achieve a good focus and sharp pictures with either camera.

One clear conclusion from those pictures is that DRebel at ISO 200 and high contrast/shrapness settings produces pictures with noise as low as D70 at its lowest ISO level. So, in terms of noise levels a DRebel looks better. In terms of functionality, D70 is, obviously, better. I wish that all those functions were not missing on DRebel.

Anyway, both cameras are great, both cameras are capable of producing excellent results. I was seriously considering D70 at some point, but then I decided in favor of DRebel, because of the image quality.

I'm curious about Nikon vs. Canon lenses comparison. Many people say that Canon has better glass. I wonder if it's only because of the L lenses.

Also, I've heard that many news photographers prefer Nikon equipment. I wonder if it's really so.

What could possibly justify that statement? Or was it made because it sounds cool and implies some sort of arcane and subtle wisdom?

As far as I know it's Canon that has those beautiful big white lenses, and when I see sport events on TV it's almost all white what I see when I see a photographer. Does Nikon even have a camera that matches up to a 1Ds?