Nikon D5100 v Canon EOS 1100D

JEB

JEB

JEB

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My daughter wants a decent SLR camera for her 21st birthday. I have been studying reviews of the Nikon D5100 and the Canon EOS 1100D.

I think I am favouring the Nikon, any recommendations or issues I need to be aware of would be helpful?

Also - from what I have seen I think the Canon can only take pictures through the view-finder, but the Nikon seems to be able to take from either the Viewfinder or the images showing on the back-screen. Can anyone confirm if this is correct please?

She is not going to be photographing professionally, just wants a good all-round SLR that she can change lenses on for taking decent quality shots.

Many thanks to anyone who can help me wade through the tec :-)
 
Both the Nikon and the Canon have liveview, which allows framing the photo using the rear LCD, but you shouldn't do this unless you have good reason (of which there are not many).


There is no issue with the D5100, it has a great sensor and is at an incredible price. The successor model is out, the D5200, but that doesn't really change much IMO.

The biggest difference noticeable difference for a beginner between the Nikon D5100 and Canon 1100D is the better sensor on the Nikon (www.dxomark.com will allow you to compare objective tests of the sensors). On the canon side I would look to get a 2nd hand 400D on the cheap, same image quality as the Canon 1100D.
 
D.P. said:
Both the Nikon and the Canon have liveview, which allows framing the photo using the rear LCD, but you shouldn't do this unless you have good reason (of which there are not many).


There is no issue with the D5100, it has a great sensor and is at an incredible price. The successor model is out, the D5200, but that doesn't really change much IMO.

The biggest difference noticeable difference for a beginner between the Nikon D5100 and Canon 1100D is the better sensor on the Nikon (www.dxomark.com will allow you to compare objective tests of the sensors). On the canon side I would look to get a 2nd hand 400D on the cheap, same image quality as the Canon 1100D.
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I'd have thought in many stationary situations (e.g. landscape, product macro etc) liveview, especially via tether on a tablet is pretty useful no?
 
londonbairn said:
I'd have thought in many stationary situations (e.g. landscape, product macro etc) liveview, especially via tether on a tablet is pretty useful no?
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On a tablet yes and I have researched this before. When I last looked it wasn't quite there yet. Would be useful to get decent sized histograms.
Also should be a way to find the dynamic range of the scene finding the highlights and adjusting exposure until the highlights are in range, the same for the shadows and then reporting to the user the scene DR. Also useful to calculate hyper focal focusing distances, use the AF system to find the distance to the near-subjects in the scene and a DoF calculator can be used to find an appropriate aperture and then the came camera can automatically set the focus distance to maximize the DoF given the constraints.


Using the small screen on the back of the camera though is in general not very useful. Occasionally when on a tripod it can be OK, shouldn't hand hold using live-view though, hard to control camera shake or make precise framing.
 
Excellent - many thanks.

Think I will go with the D5100.

So - what lens?

I have seen the body and a 18-105mm for about £507. Thinking of that and then a separate 35mm AF-S DX f1.8G - seen one for £145.92.

Figure that would be an idea starter combo - thoughts from anyone please, and then it's off to fill the shopping cart.

Does Nikon do cash-back deals, I have heard of Canon do them, but not sure re Nikon.

Thanks again folks.
 
D.P. said:
On a tablet yes and I have researched this before. When I last looked it wasn't quite there yet. Would be useful to get decent sized histograms.
Also should be a way to find the dynamic range of the scene finding the highlights and adjusting exposure until the highlights are in range, the same for the shadows and then reporting to the user the scene DR. Also useful to calculate hyper focal focusing distances, use the AF system to find the distance to the near-subjects in the scene and a DoF calculator can be used to find an appropriate aperture and then the came camera can automatically set the focus distance to maximize the DoF given the constraints.


Using the small screen on the back of the camera though is in general not very useful. Occasionally when on a tripod it can be OK, shouldn't hand hold using live-view though, hard to control camera shake or make precise framing.
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I mucked around with it (if I am right in saying the Canon solutions may be slightly better, like DSLR Controller) and I found it pretty cool, more to get accurate focusing whilst zooming into a particular area of the composition.

Not something I personally use much as I don't do much still life like landscapes/macro etc.

One cool thing though is the focus tracking on the 1Dx in live view is pretty cool, saw a cool video demoing it.
 
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JEB said:
Excellent - many thanks.

Think I will go with the D5100.

So - what lens?

I have seen the body and a 18-105mm for about £507. Thinking of that and then a separate 35mm AF-S DX f1.8G - seen one for £145.92.

Figure that would be an idea starter combo - thoughts from anyone please, and then it's off to fill the shopping cart.

Does Nikon do cash-back deals, I have heard of Canon do them, but not sure re Nikon.

Thanks again folks.
Click to expand...

Those 2 lenses make the perfect beginner setup and a very well rounded system.

You just missed the Nikon cashback:
http://www.nikon.co.uk/sites/cashback/offer-uk-nov12.html

I don't think Canon has a cashback rebate at the moment either.
 
JEB said:
So - what lens?

I have seen the body and a 18-105mm for about £507. Thinking of that and then a separate 35mm AF-S DX f1.8G - seen one for £145.92.

Figure that would be an idea starter combo - thoughts from anyone please, and then it's off to fill the shopping cart.
Click to expand...

Which lens you go for is a personal choice. I would consider a 18-105 to be a waste of time, if it doesn't relieve itself in the woods I'm not interested.

Your daughter's needs may be different.
 
JEB said:
Excellent - many thanks.

Think I will go with the D5100.

So - what lens?

I have seen the body and a 18-105mm for about £507. Thinking of that and then a separate 35mm AF-S DX f1.8G - seen one for £145.92.
Click to expand...

I find the 18-105mm to be a perfect walkabout.
 
The 18-105 is a great lens, pretty much as sharp as most of the primes, very useful focal range, small and light, reasonable AF performance. Definitely one of Nikon's best value for money.

I have a 16-85 which is a tad sharper, better made but no where near the same alum for money on a like for like instance, but the 16mm is invaluable to me.
 
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