canon 400d vs nikon d80

[xirokx]

Hi Guys,

Is it true the canon 400d is as good as and in some cases better then the nikon d80?

if yes in what way?

a friend was telling me about it, i thought it be best to verify his statement with you experts..

all help and advice would be most appreciated...

thanks in advance..

cheers...

 

[Combat squirrel]

oooh what a question, generally speaking the D80 is overall the better camera. However one of these reasons is, its bigger and fits some larger handed folks better,lol, (so mearly an opinion) but im the opposite and the 400D fits my hands a lot better, so prefer it. Another + point of the 400D is its generally better handling of low light situations and better noise handling, also its a darn lot cheaper (£200 cheaper). Other than that there fairly similar, however the D80 does have a few more features, a lot more custom function features, also a top mounted LCD like the more pricy range of cameras, it is def the better overall camera (I think nikon aimed at a higher market than the 400D, going for somewhere between 400D and Nikon D200 in terms of features and price), however im still abit hmmmm about it being £200 better than the 400D, (also nikon seems to produce ever so slightly 'softer images'),D80 at £700... thats into canon 30D price range, and the 30D is better than Nikon D80......Iv handled and used both the 350D and Nikon D80, D80 was better, but to big for my taste, ill be getting my 400D in a couple of days so will write up a proper comparison for you if you like,

Another point is 400D with a good £200+ lens will floor a D80 with its kit lens, so you would get a 'better' overall cam/picture quality for the same money, but then of course you could buy a D80 and a good £200 lens which in turn would produce a better image, but as said your talking silly money then and you would better off going to the more semi pro camera route

Basically you would place these as enthusiast cams (in order of how 'good' they are, 'worst' 1st):

D70
350D

high end enthus......

400D
D80

Semi Pro

Nikon D200
Canon 30D

Pro

Canon 5D

L33T Pro Silly money

Canon EOS 1D Mk II
Canon EOS 1d Mk III
etc

All are obviously highly capable cameras and all will easly give amazing results

 

[xirokx]

thank you very much for your detailed explanation.....

I see its a case of you say tomatoes and i say tomato's....

thanks dude..

 

[Strings]

I was faced with this exact decision a few months ago.

Evaluating both cameras on actual use... (from my photography group etc) I found that the D80 allowed for better creative control, I just felt more in control of my shots.The reduced noise etc tends to be blown way out of proportion from what I've heard, seen and experienced. With competent control, they are both as strong as eachother.If you "have" to choose the technically better camera then yes it would be the D80.

Mr Squirrel does have the right of it with the point that it depends which camera fits your hand. Such a thing is not to be taken lightly as you should never have to fight with the controls/grip of your camera just to use it. In my case I found the 400D far too small for my hand, whereas the D80 fit like a glove.

So definitely go down to your local camera store and give both of them a feel to aid your decision.

But.

If you find that the D80 is indeed to big for you, you should really consider having a look at the D40/D40x. An incredible piece of kit and being about the same size (and price) of the 400D also.

Check out this guy and his advice:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/d200-d80-d70-d50-d40-5d-xti.htm

While perhaps being pretty dogmatic at times, if you look at his gallery... he knows his NO SWEARING. It would seem he advocates the D40 quite emphatically.



Edit: The kit lens with the Canon 400D is pretty baws. Whereas the Nikon kit lens with either the D80 or the D40 is damn good.This would make a D40 buy particularly sweet, as you can put the money you saved towards another good lens while also having a decent solid kit lens.

 

[Combat squirrel]

Strings is pretty much right, however the Nikon D40 id defo put below the 400D, D40 starts at ISO 200 for example, one of many eeer 'points' id make about the D40............D40 over 400D? not a chance, especially as you can get the 400D with kit lens for 399 with 50 rebate off that right now......

Check out the current issue of practical photography, they compare the 400D, D40, sony and a pentax cam.........400D wins hands down

But yeah as strings said get down the cam shop and try them out !

 

[robmiller]

Depends what you value in a camera, IMO. I personally think that even the D40 is a better camera in many—if not most—respects than the 400D (moreso given the price difference); other people, who naturally value different things to me, would disagree vehemently.

As for the D80, I think that it's without a doubt the better body, but that's not what you're comparing. Given the insanely low price on 400Ds right now, will the D80 provide £300-£400 worth of benefits over the 400D? Also, if you have £800 to spend would it perhaps be better spent on a 400D and a say a 17-40 L, or a 70-200 f/4 L, both of which would vastly outperform the kit lens on the D80 in terms of quality if not versatility. Then there's the whole question of which is the better system for you, Canon or Nikon?

As you can see, there's much more to consider than just which body is better.

Edit: definitely agree on the ergonomics count—many people ignore handling and concentrate solely on features, which is rather silly. I'm glad I had a play with a 400D before deciding whether or not to buy one, because I find them supremely uncomfortable and would've been unhappy with one had I bought it "blind".