Nikon D3100 v Canon 1100D

[wevster]

Finally getting my first DSLR, the wife is buying me one for Chrismas. I have narrowed my choice down to the 2 cameras above. I will be mainly using the camera for car/family pics and also video. Looking at the tech specs the Nikon looks the best all round camera. I haven't actually picked the camera's up yet and got a feel for them but will be doing this shortly.

Is there anything else I should consider, is the Nikon the best choice?

[velocemitch]

I think you should consider the used market, you can generaly pick up the next level up for roughly the same money. I've been in just the same situation recently and having handled both the Nikon and the Canon I decided on Canon, purely personal reasons, it just felt better. But I wasn't impressed with the 1100D, I found the 550D (or 650D) felt much better and was within budget on the used market.

Mind you both companies are pushing hard now, with the cash back offers, so that picture might have changed very recently.

[LocoBlade]

If you want new, the Nikon D5100 is only £350 now inc cashback and a significantly better camera than either of those IMHO. Of those two though on specs alone I'd err towards the D3100, but as is always the case, something you feel comfortable using (both handling and menu system) is often worth more than the odd extra spec here and there, so buy what feels right when you hold/use it.

[P K Wright]

I'd say get the Canon 550D used instead, I bought it new and can't recommend it enough. If you do want that new camera experience then I'd say the 1100D, in my opinion the Canon range of lenses is better.

[wevster]

Secondhand isn't really an option as its a present from the wife.

An increase in budget isn't possible either hence why I have narrowed it down to the 2 choices listed.

Thanks for your comments though.

[TOPTON]

As always when asking for recommedations, it is down to personal choice. So someone will always say this is better than that and so on. Or even as suggested above, don't buy either but buy a better camera/upgrade.
Of course any information and advice is always welcome but opinions will always be split, as mine is to some others.

I was in the same position as you a couple of months ago and looked into a lot of cameras available in my price range. New or second hand was my first decision to be made. Easy really, I wanted new. So upgrading to a second hand, so called better camera wasn't an option anymore.

I then narrowed it down to the same as your 2 choices. Very similar cameras with good and bad points shared. I settled on the Nikon D3100, I liked the feel of it, the bigger screen and because internet reviews pointed to it being a better choice. Not knowing a lot about DSLRs, I can't do a big comparison to other cameras, but it is doing and will continue to do far more than I can do for a long time yet.

Here's a link to just one caparison site
http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-1100D-vs-Nikon_D...