Nikon D40X, Canon EOS 400D or something else?
Nikon D40X, Canon EOS 400D or something else?
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Discussion

horton

Original Poster:

804 posts

282 months

Wednesday 2nd January 2008
quotequote all
I have been considering replacing my old Canon S50 for a while, and the January sales seem as good a time as any to do so.

I was looking at the Canon EOS 400D which is either the Digital Rebel XTi or EOS Kiss Digital X depending where you live, but then I noticed and read up on the Nikon D40X

Ive been offered the following approx prices.

Nikon D40X with ED 18-55mm F3.5-5.6GII lens $538 US

as above plus ED 55-200mm F4-5.6G lens $690 US


Canon EOS plus EF-S18-55mm F3.5-5.6 II lens $627 US

as above plus EF55-200mm F4.5-5.6 II lens $744 US

I would love a week or so to play with both the Canon and Nikon, but of course that isn't an option.

It seems that the 18-55mm lens that comes with the Canon isn't so great, while the 18-55mm that comes with the Nikon is not bad at all.

The Canon has a few features that I would like, however I'm doubting the lens that comes with it, and for a little more than the Canon with one lens, I could get the Nikon with 2.

Any opinions? Canon or Nikon? 1 lens or 2? and yes I can get body only for both cameras, but I don't want to make this more complicated than it has to be, and I am assuming that buying separate body/lens is the expensive way to do things.

I put the prices in US$ but I do live in Japan, do I don't really need links to someone with cheap prices - I could get cheaper prices if I go to Tokyo, these prices are just a general guide.

Knick Pee

29,977 posts

281 months

Wednesday 2nd January 2008
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Having just bought one, I'd highly recommend the D40X

stigmundfreud

22,454 posts

240 months

Wednesday 2nd January 2008
quotequote all
Knick Pee said:
Having just bought one, I'd highly recommend the D40X
which isnt biased wink

Both are very good cameras and well matched - as a canon man I prefer the canon offering purely by brand - however pick them both up. It is important how comfy it is to use so go to Jessops and try them both as both are very different bodies

flat-planedCrank

3,697 posts

233 months

Wednesday 2nd January 2008
quotequote all
horton said:
I have been considering replacing my old Canon S50 for a while, and the January sales seem as good a time as any to do so.

I was looking at the Canon EOS 400D which is either the Digital Rebel XTi or EOS Kiss Digital X depending where you live, but then I noticed and read up on the Nikon D40X

Ive been offered the following approx prices.

Nikon D40X with ED 18-55mm F3.5-5.6GII lens $538 US

as above plus ED 55-200mm F4-5.6G lens $690 US


Canon EOS plus EF-S18-55mm F3.5-5.6 II lens $627 US

as above plus EF55-200mm F4.5-5.6 II lens $744 US

I would love a week or so to play with both the Canon and Nikon, but of course that isn't an option.

It seems that the 18-55mm lens that comes with the Canon isn't so great, while the 18-55mm that comes with the Nikon is not bad at all.

The Canon has a few features that I would like, however I'm doubting the lens that comes with it, and for a little more than the Canon with one lens, I could get the Nikon with 2.

Any opinions? Canon or Nikon? 1 lens or 2? and yes I can get body only for both cameras, but I don't want to make this more complicated than it has to be, and I am assuming that buying separate body/lens is the expensive way to do things.

I put the prices in US$ but I do live in Japan, do I don't really need links to someone with cheap prices - I could get cheaper prices if I go to Tokyo, these prices are just a general guide.
There was a recent 'What Camera' thread discussing the d40(x), d80, and 400d:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=477...

The d40 vs. 400d seems to be quite a common topic smile Imo, that thread covers the main points...


There are some limitations to the d40(x) body's that may or may not be a deciding factor, really depends on personal preference / what the camera will be used for:
  • It will only autofocus with AF-S or AF-I lenses (or 3rd party lenses with their own focusing motor)
  • No bracketing (exposure / white balance)
  • No DOF preview
  • No mirror lock-up
The Nikon D80 and Canon 400D do not have these limiations.


Take a look at the reviews on dpreview:
Nikon D40x review
Nikon D80 review
Canon 400D review


Hope this helps (and doesn't start an argument winkbiggrinbiggrin)


Cheers.

Edited by flat-planedCrank on Wednesday 2nd January 16:35

DIW35

4,205 posts

230 months

Thursday 3rd January 2008
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I would always be persuaded by the body that offers me the features I am likely to use. After all, lenses can be changed, but if you only have one body, you're stuck with it.

Daveyh

110 posts

226 months

Thursday 3rd January 2008
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DIW35 said:
I would always be persuaded by the body that offers me the features I am likely to use. After all, lenses can be changed, but if you only have one body, you're stuck with it.
ditto


toothlessjim

329 posts

229 months

Thursday 3rd January 2008
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Im a canon man my self, love my 400d. as already suggested go to a store and get your dirty little hands all over both of them and decide from there.

RobDickinson

31,343 posts

284 months

Thursday 3rd January 2008
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Both of thsoe are coming with cheap as consumer glass - realy to get the best of them your going to upgrade that quickly anyhow.

I'd personaly stear clear of the D40(x) as it doesnt do what I use a lot.

I'd also look at the tamron 17-50f2.8 as a 'kit' lens, else the new canon kit lens with IS if you can get it (and go canon) - a stack better than the old one.


Dogsey

4,301 posts

260 months

Thursday 3rd January 2008
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horton said:
It seems that the 18-55mm lens that comes with the Canon isn't so great, while the 18-55mm that comes with the Nikon is not bad at all.
I'd think that in the real world you'd see / feel very little difference between the 2 lenses, so as suggested by others go with the body you'll be happier with.

EdT

5,239 posts

314 months

Friday 4th January 2008
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I went for the Canon when it first came out & get a Sigma 18-200 DG lens, which does just about everything I need. There's a hint of chroma smear at the edges when at full macro, thats the only issue I've ever had, but is only a hint & I rarely take pics at 18mm. Only other trouble is that as I rarely changes lenses, I'm not using the sensor cleaning technology - wasted on me !