Choice of 2 DSLR's (same old question!!)

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Peter

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Hi Folks

Need to make a choice quickly. For general purpose photography inc landscape and sports (football) either s/h Nikon D200 (£499 - 6 mths warranty) or brand new Canon D30 (available £480 from UK retailer). Nikon shutter count as yet unknown. Both bodies only- Pentax film user so no heritage lenses although I see you can get adapter rings for Nikon at least.

I will be at Focus exhibition NEC week after next. Are prices keen there?

Experience and advice please.

Cheers

Peter
 
If you can go without the pre-set creative modes I would go with the D200 - that seems like a very keen price if it's in good condition. I can't give a direct comparison on specs but moving up to semi-pro & relying on PASM modes only would be a major factor for me. I use a D200 but kept my D80 for that reason.
 
Out of interest which retailler is offering the 30D for £480?

I would personally say Canon but thats because I'm Canon all the way and I know the Nikon's are great at higher ISO shots. Also the brand new against the unknown second hand would swing it for me.

Also consider the cost of the additional gear you will doubtless buy in the future. Something forgotten all too often is the ongoing cost of buying into a brand. Whose lenses are better and cheaper. Who's gear [remote shutter releases, flashguns etc] are cheaper.

Good luck with which every you buy, make sure it's the one you are happy with in the end :)
 
I honestly don't think you'll notice much difference between the two. Get whichever feels better in your hand. Both Canon & Nikon produce really good systems there's a reason why most Pros use one or other.

I think there is a Megapixel difference between the two with the D200 at 10MP and 30D at 8MP. You'll probably get fractionally less noise in the D30 than in the D200 so that will be marginally better for Sports in low light where you'll need the high ISOs, where as the D200 will probably be better for landscapes when you'll use a tripod so can alway use the lowest ISO.

Not much use I know but then the question doesn't really have a fixed answer.
 
Peter said:
Both bodies only- Pentax film user so no heritage lenses although I see you can get adapter rings for Nikon at least.
Click to expand...

I don't think you can achieve infinity focus with Pentax lenses on Nikon bodies.
 
D200 has more features, probably a marginally better spec and pro build quality/weather sealing.
30D will carry less noise at higher iso's and will be a new camera, so there will be advantages in that respect.
I dont think theres a huge difference between them, in a "to have and to hold" capacity, the D200 has a presence, I've not held too many Canons but the ones I have have felt fragile, lightweight and plasticy, maybe thats not a fair decider, the 30D doesn't pretend to be a pro body whereas the D200 is pretty close to one.
Maybe some thoughts on the future would help you decide.
Buy a body you are likely to build a system around, so that would include bigger and better bodys from both ranges available now and in the future.
Bodys come and go, you will always keep your good glass...
 
FYI H4rri the 30D is from Photoptix.

At least I've found out that the D200 has only 690 shutter clicks which makes it more worthwhile. It doesn't make the decision any easier as I guess the ultimate sports camera is still the Canon 1D.

I guess I'll just have to try them both out for handling.

Thanks again

Peter
 
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