Canon EOS 550D or Nikon D90?

[ilesmark]

Hi all

Am on the verge of buying my first DSLR and am debating between Canon and Nikon. I am habitually a Canon man, the reason for this debate is because I want video but the one I would have wanted to go for (the 50D) doesn't have video. But then I found out about the EOS 550D.

Anyone have any thoughts re which is likely to be the best?

Mark

[colebatch]

Originally Posted by ilesmark

Hi all

Am on the verge of buying my first DSLR and am debating between Canon and Nikon. I am habitually a Canon man, the reason for this debate is because I want video but the one I would have wanted to go for (the 50D) doesn't have video. But then I found out about the EOS 550D.

Anyone have any thoughts re which is likely to be the best?

Mark

I think the Canon - Nikon debate is an open ended one. They both make fantastic cameras. Neither is likely to be "The Best", .... its just personal preference.

Bear in mind once you start with a DSLR, you rarely change brands, because all your expensive lenses will suit one brand or the other.

I dont know what the video is like on the 550D, but the higher up the range canons (7d and up) are making quite a few waves with the quality of their video recording. The strong ability to vary depth of field afforded by SLR cameras (see the fantastic depth of field in Philip Blooms clips below) and the large size of SLR camera sensors are things that can only be replicated on crazily expensive (and very bulky) top end video cameras. George Lucas's Lucasfilm is talking about shooting on a Canon SLR.

See:

Lucasfilm Tests Out HD Capable DSLR Cameras for Red Tails, Possibly Star Wars TV Series | /Film

And scroll down this page for results:
The tale of Lucasfilm, Skywalker Ranch, Red Tails, Star Wars and Canon DSLRs on a 40 foot screen! | Philip Bloom

Skywalker Ranch By Philip Bloom - Video shot on DSLRs

So on one hand (and at the top end of the camera scale), Canon probably has the edge on the video side, but on the other end Nikon probably is used by more photography pros than Canon ... but those cameras are a fair way from the ones you are talking about. Realistically, you are not going to lose out big time either way choosing between Nikon and Canon. Its all good.

[ilesmark]

Hmm....all things to think about.

Interestingly, the Canon EOS 550D has the same sensor as the 7D, although the data transmission from the sensor to the processor is slower. Hence the 550 can only do 3.7FPS, whereas the 7 can do at least double that.

[SeanF]

Consider the Pentax K-X, does HD video in addition to being a DSLR with all of the manual controls. Plus every lens ever made for the Pentax k-mount will work with it.

[AliBaba]

Originally Posted by SeanF

Consider the Pentax K-X, does HD video in addition to being a DSLR with all of the manual controls. Plus every lens ever made for the Pentax k-mount will work with it.

+ Stabilization is build into the house and works with every lens.

[PaulD]

I have the Cannon 7d and it is really amazing, I have looked at the 550 and it is a very good camera, I think anything from either Cannon or Nikon you won't go wrong. But I am also a Cannon man having swapped over from Nikon about 10 years ago, without any real reason as well. So the answer to your by what you originally leaned to, because if you don't you will always think I should of bought the other one.

Cheers & Happy Snaps
Paul