Canon EOS 550D or Nikon D90?

[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

[Neil]

somewhat off topic but a friend of mine was only recently pointing me at getting a 550D because he has the same filming capabilities of the 5d mkII and sold the product using this:



Sadly, I don't have the space for any SLR so I'll be missing out.

[ilesmark]

Hi all

Have just ordered a Canon 550D + 18-135mm lens kit. I already have a Sigma 100-300 lens.

A question - if you had a choice between the above, or a 550D + 18-55mm & 55-250mm Twin Lens kit for £50 more (both lenses are made by Canon), which would you go for?

Mark

[ilesmark]

Have just spoken to the camera people re delivery date. They reckon I'm better off with the 18-135 than with the twin lens kit cos the 18-135 is mid-range whereas the twin lens kit is bottom-end, with polymer not glass elements and a plastic not a metal mount.

[colebatch]

Just for future reference, here is another bunch of videographers / cinematographers raving about the Canon 5D's video qualities:



I would add that I am a Nikon man myself (I have 2 Nikon DSLRs and a Nikon film SLR - no Canons), but I am not someone who says something is great just because I chose it - I like to have some sensible objectivity. I personally prefer Nikon for photography, but for HD video, Canon is certainly doing an amazing job of wooing the pros.

[lbendel]

The 550D is amazing value for the price, it is currently ahead of the D90, but then Nikon will come with another model even better, etc..

It seems you don't have any lenses yet, so either choice is good for photo. For video, you have to be aware that filming with a DSLR is vastly more difficult than with a camcorder. For example, the focusing is entirely manual, and it has to be perfect otherwise it will look bad. With good practice, the results can be astounding, but the first videos you will take will probably look much worse than with a simple camcorder, until you become proficient (or give up..).

In terms of (Canon) lenses, the 18-55IS (NOT the 18-55) is not bad at all, for the money it can't be beaten. But it will also quickly fail if abused, due the very cheap build. I don't know the 18-135, but it supposed to be better. The Sigma offering is also very interesting.

For optimal results, the 17-55 IS 2.8 gives much better quality stills, and is very solidly built, but it also costs more than the 550D itself! the 15-85 look very interesting as well, it is slightly wider which is always good, close to the optimal range for my taste.

Keep in mind that the body is just a (disposable) accessory put at the end of the lens to capture the projected image. A good lens will outlast any existing DSLR. I have invested much more money into lenses than into bodies, 2 of which are gathering dust in my cabinet, having been replaced by a new generation.

Cheers,
Laurent