New DSLR User--Canon T4i (EOS 650D) or Nikon d5100?

[kmarino]

Hello!

Alright--I've been researching cameras for about a month now as part of my search for my first dslr. I've now narrowed it down to two, both of which I know are great mid-level entry dslrs and I'm sure I can't go wrong really: Canon t4i and Nikon d5100.

But given that it's my first dslr, I'd like to ensure I'm buying into a system (Canon or Nikon) that's right for me and will allow me the most growth and freedom going forward when it comes to camera capabilities/setting, potentially upgrading or having lens options. I plan to take a brief tutorial in-store with both of these as a way to see which I prefer personally, but I wanted to understand the specs too, as image quality and the ability to "trade up" with the brand family later or expand my knowledge/skills with the camera I select is important to me.

In short, I'm looking to use my new camera to capture beautiful images of landscapes and architecture while traveling this fall, and also to take excellent stills/portraits of my nephews as they grow up to give my sister as a meaningful gift. As a result, I want something with excellent image quality, something that's easy to use (great autofocus, etc. to initially get me started until I take more classes), something that's great in low-light for the nephews and also can capture high quality stills when the boys are playing outside or I'm taking pictures of landscapes/architecture on sunny days while traveling. Great video capabilities would be an added bonus, and I'd like something I can learn more about and grow into--try out new lenses, settings, or effects.

I know the t4i was just released and therefore doesn't have a lot of production-model reviews yet, plus because I'm new on all the terminolgy when it comes to dslr, I thought I'd throw this out to you guys to get your thoughts. I also have a few general questions:

1. How important is it that Canon has the built-in autofocus motor for someone like me? Some friends absolutely love their Nikons, but one has said she's become frustrated by the lack of a built-in AF motor in hers.

2. Does one camera have better quality images overall (given my purposes and the fact I may want to blow these up just a bit as gifts)?

3. Do Canon's STM lenses benefit it at all for still photography? or only video?

4. Is it true that Nikons can only use Nikon lenses, but Canon's can use either?

5. Is one brand (Canon or Nikon, in this case) known for having a better processor or sensor when it comes to entry-level dslrs? If new models for the Rebel and d5100 are released next year with substantial changes and I'd like to trade up, does one seem to have an advantage over the other?

Any thoughts would be great--Thank you!!

[scott_lewis]

Oh god, "Nikon v. Canon" Way to lob a bomb in here. And you really should introduce yourself -- I'm going to feel stupid if you're a spambot.

First, to answer your questions:
1. The built-in AF motor would be needed for older lenses that do not have their own AF motor. In Nikon-speak, AF-S lenses do not need a motor in the camera body and most newer lenses have this. Nikon still has some non AF-S lenses on the market, but they are being replaced as time goes on and this becomes less and less of an issue.

2. No. Image quality will be more about your technique (focus, exposure & composition) and the lens then of the sensor, depending on how much you want to blow it up. But a mere 6 mega-pixel image will blow up nicely to 13"x9" without issue, so both these cameras shouldn't cause you concern. Unless you want to cover the side of a warehouse.

3. No clue -- I'm a Nikon shooter

4. No. Generally, Nikon lenses fit on Nikon cameras and Canon lenses fit on Canon cameras. There are multiple third-party vendors (Sigma, Tamron, Tokina) that make excellent lenses for both mounts.

5. No. Both brands have their strengths and weaknesses and upgrading the camera a year from now would be a waste. Generally, when your camera becomes the limiting factor in your photography you'll then upgrade to a higher class -- not the upgraded version of the same camera unless there are significant enhancements that you need. Your best investment will be in lenses which will last far longer than the current camera body. I know from experience the D5100 is a great mid- to entry-level camera that has enough features to grow into. A canon shooter will have to comment on the T4i though.

Generally, Nikon is better at low-light/high ISO and Canon is better at video. The T4i has slightly more pixels, which means it should retain more detail but the D5100 has a larger sensor, which means it should get a cleaner image. The D5100 has more auto-focus points making it faster, but the T4i has more cross-type auto-focus points making it more accurate. In real life though, none of this technical stuff matters. You're probably make your decision when you try both bodies out and determine which one works best for you.

[Silvrr]

Originally Posted by kmarino

1. How important is it that Canon has the built-in autofocus motor for someone like me? Some friends absolutely love their Nikons, but one has said she's become frustrated by the lack of a built-in AF motor in hers.

I beleive that Nikon has bodies with an AF motor, Canon does not in its current DSLR range.

The Canon EOS system uses a motor internal to each lens you buy to drive the auto focus. The body plays a part in the AF game but the lens does all the grunt work if that makes sense.

For Nikon, someone from the Nikon crowd will have to answer, I am not well versed.

2. Does one camera have better quality images overall (given my purposes and the fact I may want to blow these up just a bit as gifts)?

Being able to make enlargements will be dependent on the quality of the image taken (independent of camera qualities, things like shake, settings ect.) until you get to very large prints. Its also a really subjective matter. I have images from my 40D (10MP) that I printed at 24x36 and I think look fine. Others would say you shouldn't go beyond 8x10 with that camera. Ill have to find the link but an 8MP 30D makes some really nice enlargements, and pretty big without a loss of quality. Short answer, don't worry about it.

3. Do Canon's STM lenses benefit it at all for still photography? or only video?

Canon has a few focusing motors on the market now. USM is the quickest and quietest but the most expensive. The non USM/STM motors are loud and slow but fine for most use until you want to shoot action or need the quite motor. USM/STM motors are a nice feature but not a necessity to get landscapes/architecture/portraits.

4. Is it true that Nikons can only use Nikon lenses, but Canon's can use either?

Without adapters you can only use Canon Mount (EOS/EF) on Canon bodies and Nikon Mount on Nikon bodies. If you want to talk about adapted lenses (no auto focus and possibly no aperture control) that is a separate discussion.

5. Is one brand (Canon or Nikon, in this case) known for having a better processor or sensor when it comes to entry-level dslrs? If new models for the Rebel and d5100 are released next year with substantial changes and I'd like to trade up, does one seem to have an advantage over the other?

Canon vs. Nikon will be battled until the cows come home. My only advice is to pick a system and stick with it. Once you invest in Canon for example, buy their lenses and flashes and accessories switching is expensive and will rarely net you better images.

You will be the limiting factor in the equation for quite some time (I still am and have been shooting for quite a few years) The cameras today produce amazing images in the right hands. To many people get caught up in having the latest and greatest and forget about the thing that is really limiting their work which is the person behind the camera.

[katodog]

Nikon is way better than Canon, everyone knows that. And you should always shoot RAW, no matter what, every single picture you take. RAW all the way or don't bother.


And if you're spam...fuck you, go to hell you shitty spam fucker. Spam mother fucker spam-assed spammer, go spam your ass you spam-spammer spam spam bacon eggs and spam.



Oops, old Ed got out. Sorry about that.

[kmarino]

Thanks, everyone! Sorry...I assure you, I'm not a spambot, just a newbie to this. All your feedback makes sense and helps a great deal. Thanks!

[Silvrr]

Here is the thread I was talking about. Prints from a 30D from small to rather large. All would look acceptable hanging in ones home.

- Canon Digital Photography Forums

[katodog]

Originally Posted by kmarino

Thanks, everyone! Sorry...I assure you, I'm not a spambot, just a newbie to this. All your feedback makes sense and helps a great deal. Thanks!

Disregard my "spam" outburst, I'm clinically insane, but try to control it. Sometimes the old me escapes and all hell breaks loose. I gotta go take my meds...



Welcome to the forum.

[kmarino]

Awesome, thanks, Silvrr! Really helpful. I appreciate that. And no worries, Katodog The guidance was good nonetheless.

[scott_lewis]

Originally Posted by kmarino

Awesome, thanks, Silvrr! Really helpful. I appreciate that. And no worries, Katodog The guidance was good nonetheless.

Kato's guidance?

[katodog]

Of course my guidance. You guys didn't help him out at all. Shame on you, just shame on you all.

[DRLPhotography]

Welcome to the site! I'm not going to get into a bunch of technical speak, Scott and Silvrr did a good job of that already. A few years ago when I was in the same position, Nikon vs Canon, one things that lead me to Canon was the fit in my hand. I know that may sound insanely stupid, but I just liked how the Canon (at the time XSi) fit my hands. I can't remember what it was or why I felt that way, but that actually helped me decide.

With the T4i not possibly being available to hold and test, you could probably grab the T3i and it's going to be very close. Or maybe even the 60D since it has the Flip Screen and looks to have a similar back button layout.

[katodog]

I chose Canon because of suicide.

[kmarino]

Yeah...My next stop is actually just to see how I feel with both of them in person - The specs the guys provided helped a lot and, like it was said earlier, it'll come down to my dedication and eye at this point.

...I was just trying to soothe Kato. He's very on edge. All other advice has been pocketed, though. Thanks, guys!!

[katodog]

I'm very, VERY, on edge. But, once you get past the insanity I'm actually one of the greatest people you'll ever have the pleasure of knowing.


I tend to be a pretty big asshole though, and I like it, so get used to it. And technically I'm only nasty to spam, everyone else gets cut a break these days and I try to be nice.

[Headsick]

Welcome to the site. Scott and Silvrr summed up your questions pretty well. Holding the cameras in your hands will probably be the deciding factor. Both brands make very good equipment, and are similarly priced. Nikons bodies tend to be more feature-rich, and also more complicated to operate. Canons bodies are more simple, both in features and end-user usability. I will also say, I started with a Canon Rebel Xt, and it took me about 4 years to outgrow the capabilities of that body. As has been stated, you don't need to upgrade the body every year, or even every other year; it's all a matter of whether or not you outgrow the capabilities/features that it has, in which case you'd probably move up in the line, rather than to a newer version of the same thing.