40D, T1i, Nikon 5000D

If these were all within a few dollars of each other (40D body only, the other come with kit lens) which one would you get. I could go either way with video so that is not a factor.

Which lens system do you want to get into? That's the real question.

Nikon or Canon?

I could go either way without any problems

Out of these 3 if I was going to stay with the body purchased and not worry about going pro, I'd pick up the 40D. If I was looking at the upgrade path into the full frame offerings, Nikon D5000. 40D for primes (would be a no brainer IF Canon decides one day to give hoods with all lenses) D5000 for cheap zooms.

thanks, what about if IQ was the biggest factor...(mainly at lower ISO) and no need to plot bigger than 12x18

I am leaning toward the D5000 but I have seen reviews go either way. Some places say that the raw images are better on the D5000 vs the t1i...but in jpeg format the t1i is better. Then I see reviews like this one:
http://www.digitalrevi​ew.ca …anon-Rebel-T1i-500D.shtml

where at the middle of the review it has an image of a flower and the D5000 gives a lot more detail than the t1i.

D5000.

Like I said in another thread, I am unimpressed with Canon's entry level DSLRs. I started out with a D60..... I kind of wish that I still had it as a spare.

WesM wrote in post #10089070
D5000.

Like I said in another thread, I am unimpressed with Canon's entry level DSLRs. I started out with a D60..... I kind of wish that I still had it as a spare.

In what way? I've been using a Rebel XTi for over 2 years and it's proven to be a more than capable camera for me.

The new T2i is an absolutely wonderful entry-level camera. I don't think there's a better camera out there in that class.

MrGreen wrote in post #10089134
In what way? I've been using a Rebel XTi for over 2 years and it's proven to be a more than capable camera for me.

The new T2i is an absolutely wonderful entry-level camera. I don't think there's a better camera out there in that class.

In what ways do you think the t2i is superior to the D5000, without factoring in a bigger LDC screen and movie mode because those are really not deciding factors to me. It appears also that having 6 more mp is also nothing to be concerned with as I am not creating billboards. Also it was interesting that DP reviews gave the t1i better IQ scores in jpeg and raw formats over the t2i?

MrGreen wrote in post #10089134
In what way? I've been using a Rebel XTi for over 2 years and it's proven to be a more than capable camera for me.

The new T2i is an absolutely wonderful entry-level camera. I don't think there's a better camera out there in that class.

To me, they feel very cheap/poorly constructed, I don't like the menu system or the button layout.

However, this was back when I bought my D60. At the time, I don't even think the T1i was out. I haven't really played with the T1i or T2i. Maybe the menu system has improved, but everything else remains the same for me.

jtack wrote in post #10089180
In what ways do you think the t2i is superior to the D5000, without factoring in a bigger LDC screen and movie mode because those are really not deciding factors to me. It appears also that having 6 more mp is also nothing to be concerned with as I am not creating billboards. Also it was interesting that DP reviews gave the t1i better IQ scores in jpeg and raw formats over the t2i?

Well, in my experience the extra MPs do count. When you resize down the extra pixels provide a higher level of detail, and you don't need to print billboard size to see the extra MP difference either. I print 24" x 36" frequently and I can easily see the difference between 10 MP and 18 MP even at that size.

The screen like you said is better, and that's a big thing to me. I use the LCD all the time to check my shots and it's also very important to have a good screen when using the video function. I shoot videos a lot and I think the T2i vids are better.

If those don't matter to you then that's fine, but I'd still rather stick with Canon's lens lineup. I think they have the better choices for people out there, and also when looking to buy used in my experience they're easier to find than the Nikon counterparts and cheaper too.

A lot of people complain about Rebels but like I said I've used mine for over 2 years and it has been more than capable. Obviously I upgraded to the 7D, a completely higher level, but the mini-7D T2i is a pretty nice camera to boot.

Just my opinion, but the feature set it includes can't be beat at that price range.

jtack wrote in post #10088869
If these were all within a few dollars of each other (40D body only, the other come with kit lens) which one would you get. I could go either way with video so that is not a factor.

Canon T1i (500D) wins with image quality and ISO performance!
Nikon D5000 vs Canon 500D
http://www.popphoto.co​m …Rebel-T1i-vs.-Nikon-D5000
http://www.popphoto.co​m …-Test-Canon-EOS-Rebel-T1i

but I would save more and get the newer T2i (550D)

Thanks for your input! I could see needing extra mp if printing at 24x36 but I do not go above 13x19 full bleed and I have done that with my 6.3 mp 300D with absolutely no problems at all...I understand when it comes down to cropping that more MP is better but as a general rule I think that it has been discussed enough to say that on a 12x18 print, the fact that you have 6 mp or 21 mp is not seen with the naked eye, unless looking at 100% crops. I do agree with your advice on the lens line up. It appears that they are more costly and harder to find, but it also seems that they might have better IQ than the canon counterparts in some of the focal ranges.

Don't underestimate the convenience of having a single photo and video capable device. Go with T2i.

jtack wrote in post #10089180
In what ways do you think the t2i is superior to the D5000, without factoring in a bigger LDC screen and movie mode because those are really not deciding factors to me. It appears also that having 6 more mp is also nothing to be concerned with as I am not creating billboards. Also it was interesting that DP reviews gave the t1i better IQ scores in jpeg and raw formats over the t2i?

The LCD screen is more important than you may think. I was also deciding between D5000 and T1i for my first DSLR. And I didn't think the difference in the LCD mattered at all. I didn't factor it in when I went with the T1i. The D5000 LCD has 230,000 dots, the T1i has 920,000, and the T2i 1040,000. Using the T1i outdoors I find it difficult to tell how well the photos are exposed. Everything looks extremely underexposed. On the D5000 the situation would be a lot worst. I used an SLR some years ago, but I barely ever manually set the exposure. I started learning this with my T1i and I have to say a good LCD really helped.

I finally chose the T1i because it was a Canon and I liked their lenses better. People say the menus suck on rebels, but I think that is because they are used to other menus and using the dial that xxDs have. The menu is so damn simple that I find it impossible to be an issue if it is your first DSLR.

It was a tough decision for me, especially since the D5000 looks so damn cool , but I don't regret my choice one bit.