How does the D80 compare to the 20D

hbdragon88 wrote in post #5722050
My primary application for the camera would be newspaper and landscape photography, shooting sunsets, sports, and indoor functions.

Landscapes and Sunsets, with a Nikon! If you go Nikon then get the D300 or D3 otherwise your cheapest Canon will do better.

When you look at the sky in your Nikon pictures you will see what I mean. You don't notice it at first. But after a while you will. I call it data pixelation. What happens is that the ultra fine gradient in the sky will pixelate. You will see this in sunsets as well.

But even the D300 and D3 have a disadvantage. Nikon choose to over clean the noise which leads to decreased resolution and sharpness.

I had this same delema years ago. I choose the 350D over the D70. I think it was a great choice.

dshirey wrote in post #5730329
The biggest thing you should think about when buying a DSLR is that you aren't just buying a camera body, you are buying into the family. Once you rack up a few pricey lenses you aren't going to want to just switch to another brand because that glass wont work. I have only had a DSLR for maybe 6.5 months but I already own lenses more expensive than my camera. It is something you should think about and it isn't just a coin flip.

Ok, I'm gonna mess with you a little, don't get mad.

Don't get me wrong. You are absolutely right. I found out with my purchase of an xti that purchasing a dslr body is waaaayy more than just a coin flip. My point was, if the op said that he would rather just take a chance and get the camera (he didn't say which camera), then what is the point of gong through any process of getting info on the camera, just go get it and be done with it. Now, I can understand the need to know info basis. There's nothing wrong with that. We all want to be informed. The op has already stated that he doesn't know much about dlsr cameras, so I'm just saying that instead of asking for anyone on the forum to give you an answer more towards canon or nikon, either rent and use it or purchase and use it for the time before it needs to be returned then return for a full refund(unlike renting). At least that way you have some time to play with the camera(which ever you choose) and learn a little before making a decision into which family you are going to stick with. Mainly because YES is more than just a flip of a coin, it's an investment. You wouldn't buy a car without a test drive so why should it be anything different for an expensive piece of equipment If the op doesn't want to do that then keep asking away.

I didn't explicitly state it, but the way I had it arranged ("my dad says the D80 has a better warranty"), my unable to argue that point, and the topic title, with the D80 first - well it was my dad who was pushing Nikon and me that was pushing Canon.

I wondered because there was an ad on Craigslist, asking $675 for a 20D, Canon 75-300mm, Canon 18-55mm, and a 420EX. My dad was looking at eBay deals and thought that the D80 being new, in warranty, its larger LCD screen, and with a couple of lenses was only slightly more than expensive than that.

If dad is paying for the setup with lenses, then go Nikon since he prefers the brand.
Otherwise follow your heart and go Canon.

vgk1nka1dx wrote in post #5733218
Ok, I'm gonna mess with you a little, don't get mad.

Don't get me wrong. You are absolutely right. I found out with my purchase of an xti that purchasing a dslr body is waaaayy more than just a coin flip. My point was, if the op said that he would rather just take a chance and get the camera (he didn't say which camera), then what is the point of gong through any process of getting info on the camera, just go get it and be done with it. Now, I can understand the need to know info basis. There's nothing wrong with that. We all want to be informed. The op has already stated that he doesn't know much about dlsr cameras, so I'm just saying that instead of asking for anyone on the forum to give you an answer more towards canon or nikon, either rent and use it or purchase and use it for the time before it needs to be returned then return for a full refund(unlike renting). At least that way you have some time to play with the camera(which ever you choose) and learn a little before making a decision into which family you are going to stick with. Mainly because YES is more than just a flip of a coin, it's an investment. You wouldn't buy a car without a test drive so why should it be anything different for an expensive piece of equipment If the op doesn't want to do that then keep asking away.

Hah, I'm not mad. You're right too. If I had known you could rent DSLRs and gear before I got my XTi I would have, no question. Although I probably still would have gone with Canon (I have used Nikon bodies several times and find the UI and changing settings on the fly was a pain, though I didn't use the cameras for more than few hours so I probably didn't learn all of the tricks). I am just one of those people who doesn't go out and buy expensive stuff at a store. I research for a while so that I can find the best choice (for me) and price. Hell, it took me about a month and a half of reading every day (and testing, my university's journalism department has a lot of gear that I can play with) before I decided which lens I wanted to get to replace the kit lens as my walk around. I just one of those people, I like to be informed.

My first DSLR was a Nikon D80 and I loved it. It's a great first (or second) DSLR. I took some really nice wedding shots with it. I think that if you go with the D80, you won't be disappointed, assuming you get a good one. After my D80 I decided to upgrade to a D200 and the whole experience put me off of Nikon. I got 4 D200's with dead pixels and I threw my hands up in the air and quit.

That's when I jumped ship to Canon and bought my 5D which, of course, is better. Now although I love the images from my 5D, I still think Nikon has an edge in terms of body design. They have more buttons for accessing functions and everything seems to be laid out nicely.

I've never used the Xti personally, but from what I hear it's a great camera. I think you'd be happy with either of these bodies.

Lenses are a whole other animal. I would look at the various lenses as see a) Which company has the lenses you're looking for, and b) Whether they're good quality lenses. I'm sure many people here could help you with that.

Good luck!

zeva wrote in post #5723492
Just remember your gonna get highly biased reports from canon lovers

My comments are not biased, they're based on specific experience of Nikon cameras as an ex Nikon user.

Nukey wrote in post #5751722
Now although I love the images from my 5D, I still think Nikon has an edge in terms of body design. They have more buttons for accessing functions and everything seems to be laid out nicely.

Commonly expressed subjective opinion, that Nikons are more well layed out as a "photographer's camera", just like BMW is more of a "driver's car" than a Mercedes. And just as Canon gives a nicer high ISO photo than Nikon, Mercedes gives a nice, smoother ride than the BMW. Give me BMW any day though and the somewhat jarring Performance package ride; and I will gladly forgo a nicer control layout for better high ISO from Canon.

POST 5749657

To having use both (20D and D80) I can tell that everything is equal up to 400ISO, but at higher ISO Canon take the leap with magnificity. Except the frame rate and high ISO image quality, Truly, the D80 are a better body than the Canon.
Fantastic visor (5D quality) with on/off grid, precise % of battery power remain, very good and precise AF module even in low light, wireless control up to three flash from the in camera flash, dedicated c-fn fonction button of your choice (MLU if you want), etc...

dithiolium wrote in post #5748995
If dad is paying for the setup with lenses, then go Nikon since he prefers the brand.
Otherwise follow your heart and go Canon.

Well, $h1#, if dad is paying for it tell him to get you whatever the f@@@ he feels. I WISH my dad had even came close to beating around the bush of possibly thinking of offering to buy my first Dslr. Knowing what I know now, I probably would have went home and cried.