Canon or Nikon

snips86x

snips86x

snips86x

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I currently own a Canon 7D and I'm not overly impressed with the image quality. I've got a mate who has a Nikon and found it better than the Canon 7D he had previously. I'm looking to possibly replace my Canon with the Nikon D300s, but I'm worried about the impact the change in sensor size would have. I'm an enthusiast and the picture qualitiesty is my number 1. Can you help please? Not sure what to do.
 
Have you pinpointed what exactly is lacking about your picture quality? Sharpness? Colours or dynamic range/contrast? It's hard to fix a problem when you don't know what it is hehe

It could be an issue with the camera or a lack of decent sharp lenses or, god forbid, user error :D hehe
 
I think its multiple things to be honest. I don't find it 100% sharp on multiple lenses as well as the white balance is never perfect. I can take sharp images, but I'm not happy with the outcome. There is always the margin where its not correct using AF or manual.
 
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any samples of the photos your not happy with ??? you told us what camera you have but didn't mention what lens your using
 
Sensor size doesn't change much (1.6x Vs 1.5x), just the megapixel count is different (although I think that's what you meant).

The difference will actually be very minimal, the 7D has 18mp but the strong AA filter cripples the megapixel advantage.

Since getting into photography I'v owned the following camera's ( in order), 550D, 50D, D7000, D700, D300 & D800E at some point.

The D7000 felt like a big jump from either the 550D & 50D. Your coming from a 7D, so the only real tangible benefit you will see in image quality (although this can be significant depending on which metric your measuring). FPS is lower and doesn't have a big buffer depth so a fast SD card is a must.

D700. Call off the search. This is pretty much the perfect affordable full frame DSLR. Yes it only has 12mp, but the file dimensions will only be around 30% smaller than the 7D, yet will knock the spots off the 7D in terms of IQ.
Auto focus etc. also performs better on the D700.

D300. Like a D700 in pretty much all areas except the IQ doesn't hold a candle. On balance I think I would opt for the D7000 over this (D7000 is bargain atm).

D600. Maybe this is worth considering if you prize image quality over all else (It's almost on par with D800E). The AF system however is gimped compared to the D700, D800. It has the same AF system as on the D7000, but it's not suitable to be used on a Full Frame camera (AF points are all squashed up together in the centre).
 
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Personally I never expect a perfect white balance straight out of the camera and always tweak it a little later in Lightroom. Generally it's not too far off but I'm too lazy to use the selective WB settings at the moment so I leave it on auto lol :)

You had the 7d for long? Has it always been a bit hit/miss with sharpness? Any firmware updates for the 7d?
 
snips86x said:
I think its multiple things to be honest. I don't find it 100% sharp on multiple lenses as well as the white balance is never perfect. I can take sharp images, but I'm not happy with the outcome. There is always the margin where its not correct using AF or manual.
Click to expand...

what are the lenses? and have you checked for front/back focus?
also i take from the wb issue its jpegs your shooting ?
 
An Exception said:
D700. Call off the search. This is pretty much the perfect affordable full frame DSLR. Yes it only has 12mp, but the file dimensions will only be around 30% smaller than the 7D, yet will knock the spots off the 7D in terms of IQ.
Auto focus etc. also performs better on the D700.
Click to expand...

This is what I was looking for, you have really answered my questions here! Maybe it is the AA which I can see causing the image quality problem, not sure, but really like the D300s.

EDIT: I see what you mean, the D7000 looks like a great camera at a superb price. Need to think about selling my 7D if I'm to change over.

Phal said:
Personally I never expect a perfect white balance straight out of the camera and always tweak it a little later in Lightroom. Generally it's not too far off but I'm too lazy to use the selective WB settings at the moment so I leave it on auto lol :)

You had the 7d for long? Has it always been a bit hit/miss with sharpness? Any firmware updates for the 7d?
Click to expand...

I've had it for about 1.5/2 years now and yes, it's hit and miss. I can see the imperfections and it really bugs me. Firmware has been updated.

niko said:
what are the lenses? and have you checked for front/back focus?
also i take from the wb issue its jpegs your shooting ?
Click to expand...

I've got a 17-40mm L, 100m Macro. The 17-40 is causing more of a problem, but even with the 100mm macro, i'm not satisfied. I maybe too picky over it, but the IQ is what really impresses me.

I dont shoot JPEG, only RAW.
 
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snips86x said:
This is what I was looking for, you have really answered my questions here! Maybe it is the AA which I can see causing the image quality problem, not sure, but really like the D300s.
Click to expand...

A D300s just isn't a worthwhile reason to switch camps imo. A D700 however will be a big jump.

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Compare-Camera-Sensors/Compare-cameras-side-by-side/(appareil1)/619%7C0/(brand)/Canon/(appareil2)/614%7C0/(brand2)/Nikon/(appareil3)/441%7C0/(brand3)/Nikon
 
snips86x said:
I've got a 17-40mm L, 100m Macro. The 17-40 is causing more of a problem, but even with the 100mm macro, i'm not satisfied. I maybe too picky over it, but the IQ is what really impresses me.

I dont shoot JPEG, only RAW.
Click to expand...
good Len's then ,
surly the wb only applies on jpegs ,its the pp software that alters it with raw files .
 
Looks like a D700 + 24-70 2.8G is something that would suit you well. Tbh from the samples I'v seen, a D600 would be a good choice also considering it's noise performance and dynamic range (good for landscapes).
 
snips86x said:
This is what I was looking for, you have really answered my questions here! Maybe it is the AA which I can see causing the image quality problem, not sure, but really like the D300s.

EDIT: I see what you mean, the D7000 looks like a great camera at a superb price. Need to think about selling my 7D if I'm to change over.



I've had it for about 1.5/2 years now and yes, it's hit and miss. I can see the imperfections and it really bugs me. Firmware has been updated.



I've got a 17-40mm L, 100m Macro. The 17-40 is causing more of a problem, but even with the 100mm macro, i'm not satisfied. I maybe too picky over it, but the IQ is what really impresses me.

I dont shoot JPEG, only RAW.
Click to expand...

I chose the D7000 over the 7D when I was looking for a new camera to replace my old Canon. I think its a better overall package and slightly smaller and lighter to boot (if you care about that). On the other hand the Nikon lens range isn't quite as good as the Canon range in some areas (although it looks like you aren't using those areas at the moment).

And a warning An Exception is a bit obsessed with full frame, while in reality both have their benefits, up to you which one you choose, the general IQ will be dictated far more by the lenses you use than whether you go full frame or DX... Unless ot course you regularly need very high ISOs. And obviously if you see thinking of full frame then Canon do a nice selection, from the 6D to 5D2 and 5d3, may be worth sticking with Canon as you already have the equipment.
 
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^^^
Do you or have owned a FF camera (if so which camera)?
Do you actually have a good understanding about the technical side, or are you blindly parroting someone else's opinion?

If your priority is IQ, then full frame is where it's at, it's a fact mate. To say that "general IQ will be dictated far more by the lenses you use than whether you go full frame or DX" is a misnomer. FF actually improves the performance and minimises the flaws of just about any lens baring a very few exceptions (where the lens has to perform extremely weak into the corners relative to the centre).
 
Amp34 said:
I chose the D7000 over the 7D when I was looking for a new camera to replace my old Canon. I think its a better overall package and slightly smaller and lighter to boot (if you care about that). On the other hand the Nikon lens range isn't quite as good as the Canon range in some areas (although it looks like you aren't using those areas at the moment).

And a warning An Exception is a bit obsessed with full frame, while in reality both have their benefits, up to you which one you choose, the general IQ will be dictated far more by the lenses you use than whether you go full frame or DX... Unless ot course you regularly need very high ISOs. And obviously if you see thinking of full frame then Canon do a nice selection, from the 6D to 5D2 and 5d3, may be worth sticking with Canon as you already have the equipment.
Click to expand...

I must say, I really like the look of the D7000. Just need to get my 7D cleaned before selling it. I understand you need good glass/optics to get good shots, shame the money is the problem. Do you know if the FX lens range is compatible with the DX mounts?
 
What focal lengths are you considering. Having looked through your images it doesn't look like you do many portraits, so maybe maybe shallow depth of field isn't a priority, however I see you have taken a few at night/lowlight, so maybe a fast prime might be useful.
 
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