Help in Evaluating DSLR Purchase. Nikon D60 vs Canon 450D?

[tjhan]

Hi guys,

I am looking to purchase a new camera. I've been using a consumer camera, the Canon Ixus 800, for a while now. I'm mainly taking pictures of action figures for magazine review, landscape on travels, and pretty girls.

I felt it was the time to upgrade and increase my equipment's capabilities, having used DSLRs (Nikon D70 and Canon 30Ds) during my time in NS as army photographer, I thought I should get a DSLR. But most likely an entry level one as I am still in uni now.

Do you guys think the Nikon D60 or the Canon 450D is better? I saw a deal on Bargain City, do you guys think this is worth it? Is the extra 55-200 mm kit lens worth paying the 300 dollar for?

Nikon D60 Dual Lens Kit
S$1,359.00 nett (incl. GST)
Features
- 10.2 Megapixels
- Includes 18-55mm VR Lens
- Includes 55-200mm VR Lens
- 2.5" LCD Display
- Active D-Lighting
Promotions
- FREE 2 pcs 4 Gb SDHC cards
- FREE Extra Compatible Battery
- FREE Large Tripod
- FREE SD HC Card Reader
- FREE Nikon case
- FREE 2 sets UV Filters
- FREE LCD Protector
- Nikon Umbrella
Remarks
- 1 Year Nikon Singapore Warranty

Some brands like Sony come with a free dry cabinet. Is it worth picking Sony jus because of the cabinet?

Thanks guys!

 

[giantcanopy]

Hard to advice on which to choose since it boils down to individual preference. But your previous photographic experience with various models would have given you a lead in knowing what you would want to look / feel for in choosing a camera compared to someone with no clue.

Anyway the reason for buying sony ( or any other systems ) should not be decided on a free drying cabinet ( or other little freebies ).

Ryan

 

[sin77]

sorry im not looking at the price or features, i think u should have a hands-on both cameras.

 

[MarkTan89]

Usually these free items are not really necessary. What is more important is the camera system you're buying into. I'd take the EOS 450D mainly because of its
- 9 point AF system
- 3.5 fps continuous shooting
- larger 3" TFT LCD
- compatibility with almost all Canon lenses
- better resale value down the road

 

[Octarine]

- better resale value down the road

To me this is the least relevant detail when purchasing a camera. In fact it's rather wrong here for 450D. The 3 digit series of Canon is the consumer SLR series. You can expect follow-up models very soon (as can be seen with 400D, 450D and now 1000D) resulting in dropping prices for existing models and plenty of them in 2nd hand market. Not much resale value then.

 

[shahrulesa]

I'd go for the 450D just because of the number of AF points.

 

[zac08]

Go and feel the cameras...

which feels the most comfortable in your hands... That's the one you want to get.

No point having so many AF points when you are still learning and trying to aim with only 1 at a time... :sweat:

Getting a tele zoom would help in situations when you need the extra reach, but it's up to individuals. Some would rather get a external flash.

Go play with them... see which user interface you prefer and also the controls... coz this is your TOOL. Only you will be able to tell which feels better for you.

 

[Rashkae]

Since this has been extensively discussed before, I suggest reading the previous threads:

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=381358

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=375791

 

[windwaver]

Man......same price confirm 450D.

 

[tjhan]

Thanks guys for the replies, but re: Windwaver, they are not the same price what. Isn't 450D more expensive than D60 by a couple of hundred, also it doesn't come with a 2nd lens? I actually tried both before, and used a D40 for a month borrowed. Reading the other threads, I've gotten a pretty good idea. Guess I'll just go down to check out the 450D @ Vivo before deciding. But most likely it'll be D60 I think. The price and extra lens is cool because I don't foresee myself getting a new lens for a long time.

 

[MarkTan89]

To me this is the least relevant detail when purchasing a camera. In fact it's rather wrong here for 450D. The 3 digit series of Canon is the consumer SLR series. You can expect follow-up models very soon (as can be seen with 400D, 450D and now 1000D) resulting in dropping prices for existing models and plenty of them in 2nd hand market. Not much resale value then.

But regardless of consumer SLR or not, the 450D will still garner a higher price when trying to sell off next time.

 

[tjhan]

I noticed that buying from aboard, like maybe from Amazon, actually is far cheaper than even favoured stores here like Alan Photo. The price difference is almost 300-400 SGD! Would the warranty be accepted by Canon SG or be void?

 

[Simon_84]

why not wait for 1000d instead ?
ask yourself do you really need 12mp ?

hate image noise, go for canon cos you may be doing lots of indoor shots rather than outdoor.
low budget then go for nikon but be prepared to deal with MF on primes with the d60 or just go for d80 since it has no issues with AF on primes but is not an entry lvl.

regarding the better resale value...2 or 3 years down the road...you also cant sell for much already just look at the d40/350d/300d.
maybe you could go take a look at the b&s section and observe the 2nd hand market rate 1st before deciding.

you have used cams from the both camps before, so you more or less have a feel of which brand you like already.

 

[lsisaxon]

I noticed that buying from aboard, like maybe from Amazon, actually is far cheaper than even favoured stores here like Alan Photo. The price difference is almost 300-400 SGD! Would the warranty be accepted by Canon SG or be void?

As good as grey sets plus you risk shipping.

 

[tjhan]

Thanks guys for the replies. Actually after these few days of research, what I feel I should get in terms of lenses is the 18-55 kit, 55-200 mm (or similar), and a 50 mm f1.8 plus a flash. Which would most likely cover what I need for the foreseeable future. Nikon N40 (after reading Ken Rockwell, I got convinced D40 is better since I don't really intend to upgrade within next 5 or so years) is ok but doesn't have AF for the 50 mm. I thought can buy 2nd hand off my uncle who hasit and rarely use, but turns out he isn't selling so change of plans.

It would make sense for me to go Nikon too so he can borrow my lenses (he only has kit lens). And ask for subsidy for them so he can borrow lol. So it's Nikon financially.

If I get Canon,which would make sense in terms of lens support, I'll have to pay everything myself which means I'llmost likely not be able to afford anything beyond just one 50 mm f.18.

Yeah today I'm heading down to the showroom.

 

[Simon_84]

dont believe everything about what krw says, no doubt his sayings does make sense but do take it with a pinch of salt.

if you do intend to get nikon, then d60 would be a better choice, the rangefinder feature is going to be more useful and faster to MF with the cheap AF-D 50mm f1.8, better than just looking out for the small green dot at the bottom of the screen left hand corner of the d40 VF.

the advantage that d40 has over d60 is better noise control and perhaps that faster flash sync speed as pointed out by krw.
you can compared the difference in iso levels over at dcresource.com or look for some samples in pixel-peeper.com

 

[zhaowei]

Hi tjhan,

Just want to share a little of my personal experience. I bought the D40X with dual lens kit at the end of last year, thinking that I would probably not buy any lens for the near future being a student like you. But after using the two lenses for about about 3 months I realised that I hardly ever use my 55-200mm, and for the times that I did, it was a major hassle switching lenses in the field. So as a result, I decided to sell my 18-55mm for a pittance and buy the 16-85 VR that has a longer range and virtually eliminated the need to use my 55-200mm. I'm looking to selling my 55-200 when I return to Singapore in a few weeks.

I'm just pointing this out from my own experience so that other newcomers don't buy the 55-200mm just because it seems like a good option to have. It is a nice and sharp lens but the money could be better spent elsewhere if that focal length is not necessary for your personal photographic interests.

I heard lots of good stuff about the 50mm lenses but I chose the AFS 60/2.8 in the end for my needs. It is in a way, my substitute for a 50mm-ish prime(and not forgetting that it can AF with D40/60). I must add that flora photography was my main purpose for getting the lens though that it's also good for portraits as it gives very nice smooth bokeh.

Please note that I'm not saying that the 60mm is better than the 50mm. (It's like comparing apples to oranges) But do think about what you want to do with the 50mm too, before sinking the money in even though it's a very affordable and well-regarded lens. There could be more better choices based on your interests. It's not just about how much you spend but how much you can get out of what you buy.

I'm just sharing my own views so feel free to disagree. Whichever option you choose I believe you will make the most out of it. Hope you get a good deal!

Zhaowei

 

[tjhan]

Thanks Zhaowei and Simon for your advice! To be honest, my main aim in getting a longer focal length lens is to do face portraits (and the occasional sneaky long shot but that's beside the point). I headed down to the Canon showroom today and tried out the various bodies there. I actually prefer the louder and manly Nikon shutter sound over the Canon ones, which to be sounds like girls screaming. Small issue though, both are about the same in terms of control and feel for me.

One major issue I have with D40 is the having to press a button before the LCD lights up, which is annoying. 450D does not have this problem. I'll now just source for quotations from the various shops I guess.

 

[windwaver]

Hi tjhan,

Just want to share a little of my personal experience. I bought the D40X with dual lens kit at the end of last year, thinking that I would probably not buy any lens for the near future being a student like you. But after using the two lenses for about about 3 months I realised that I hardly ever use my 55-200mm, and for the times that I did, it was a major hassle switching lenses in the field. So as a result, I decided to sell my 18-55mm for a pittance and buy the 16-85 VR that has a longer range and virtually eliminated the need to use my 55-200mm. I'm looking to selling my 55-200 when I return to Singapore in a few weeks.

I'm just pointing this out from my own experience so that other newcomers don't buy the 55-200mm just because it seems like a good option to have. It is a nice and sharp lens but the money could be better spent elsewhere if that focal length is not necessary for your personal photographic interests.

I heard lots of good stuff about the 50mm lenses but I chose the AFS 60/2.8 in the end for my needs. It is in a way, my substitute for a 50mm-ish prime(and not forgetting that it can AF with D40/60). I must add that flora photography was my main purpose for getting the lens though that it's also good for portraits as it gives very nice smooth bokeh.

Please note that I'm not saying that the 60mm is better than the 50mm. (It's like comparing apples to oranges) But do think about what you want to do with the 50mm too, before sinking the money in even though it's a very affordable and well-regarded lens. There could be more better choices based on your interests. It's not just about how much you spend but how much you can get out of what you buy.

I'm just sharing my own views so feel free to disagree. Whichever option you choose I believe you will make the most out of it. Hope you get a good deal!

Zhaowei

Actually, different lenses depends on what the photographer's needs are. For me, I prefer something that covers me from 28~600. Having said that, I must admit that it's troublesome to keep changing lenses even with a topload bag.

Probably a killer camera will be a proconsumer with a DSLR size sensor :bsmilie:

 

[Simon_84]

the 16-85mm vr is rather tempting but the price sucks though, more ex than 18-200mm.
another cheaper alternative would be the 18-70mm.
both lens make great travel lens but since their f-stop is not very low so do bring a tripod so that you wouldnt miss any great night shots.