350XT Body Size/Shape/Texture and Features vs D70

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

The local camera store has 350XT's in stock. I went by this afternoon and
compared one to a Nikon D70. Now, I'm perplexed...

The Canon's feature set is arguably better. In particular, the 2 extra MP
and what I percieve to be a more advanced sensor put it ahead in areas that
are fundamentally important.

The Nikon simply feels better. I have small hands, but the Canon is much
smaller than what feels comfortable to me. I'm sure I could get over it.
Next, the grip texture is too fine on the Canon. Again, I could probably get
used to that. Finally, the Canon is packaged with their 18-55mm lens, which
simply feels cheap compared to Nikon's kit lens.

Which leaves me with the dilemma... Buy the body with the fundamentally
better innards (Canon) or buy the Nikon, which (seemingly) has everything
else going for it.

I wish Canon had spent an extra $5.00 on the body and $50 on the lens to
make this a no-brainer...

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

Kyle Boatright <kboatright1@comcast.net> wrote:

> The Canon's feature set is arguably better. In particular, the 2 extra MP
> and what I percieve to be a more advanced sensor put it ahead in areas that
> are fundamentally important.

The Canon, being newer, has more resolution, though probably not enough to
really matter much. And lower noise, though probably not enough to notice.
All else being equal, it certainly wins, but I don't think by enough to
make the decision between Nikon and Canon. After all, the camera itself
will be the one part of the equipment collection that lasts the shortest
amount of time.

> The Nikon simply feels better. I have small hands, but the Canon is much
> smaller than what feels comfortable to me. I'm sure I could get over it.
> Next, the grip texture is too fine on the Canon. Again, I could probably get
> used to that.

This is a big part of the reason I strongly prefer Nikon. It's a matter
of preference, of course, but they're designed and built better. When I
pick up a Canon I feel like I'm holding a camera designed by someone who
doesn't really do much photography, but designs lots of different consumer
electronics products.

Nikon's design isn't quite perfect. They offer quick access to settings
I'm never going to change even one time, like image quality settings, but
bury in menus things I would like quick access to, like autofocus mode.
But apart from those few minor things, it's just built to be a camera.
You hold it and don't even think about it, just use it.

> Finally, the Canon is packaged with their 18-55mm lens, which
> simply feels cheap compared to Nikon's kit lens.

It is; Nikon's kit lens is quite good for the price. But, you don't have
to get the kit lens with whatever camera you buy, so again, I don't think
this should be the decision-maker.

If you're starting from scratch, choose between Nikon and Canon, not
between those two specific cameras, both of which will be surpassed
within another year and obsolete within two. The lenses and other
things you get will still be good a decade from now.

--
Jeremy | jeremy@exit109.com

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

Hi,

> I believe K-M have licked everyone when it comes to ergonomics, and most
> of the review sites are quick to point this out. Based on the Maxxum 9
> and 7, on the 7D almost everything _photographic_ is on a DEDICATED switch
> or lever:

This is the reason why I went for Minolta years ago. I used an old non-AF
SLR from my father. I went ot a camera shop with absolutely no pre-made idea
of what I wanted (I did not even know what were the major market players at
that time) except :
- a lens which would be as versatile as the 35/105 I had before,
- a direct access to mostly useful features, through dedicated buttons on
the body and not thru awful menu systems.

So I exposed those only 2 requirements to the guy there, he pondered a bit
and said "I have the camera for you, it is the Minolta Dynax 600si Classic,
and its 24/105 AF lens ; all the other current cameras have the crippled
menu system".

He let me play with a few bodies of that time (canon eos50, nikon f70,
minolta 700 and 600), and obviously he was right, the only one which had
ergonomics close to my older SLR with direct access to mostly useful
functions was the 600 si.

I trusted him and bought the package. I have never regretted a single time,
it was the perfect match for me.

When Minolta released the 7D (which I had patiently waited for), I checked :
they kept the 600si'ish ergonomics. I adopted the 7D, it took me zero time
to feel at ease with it.

Regards,
--
Stéphane