Which one is the better entry level dSLR Nikon D80 or Canon 450D?

Question

I am just starting out as a budding photographer and would like to know which is the better entry level camera to buy that you would recommend from your experience. I know that picture quality is much of a muchness but which do you find easier to use. How easy is it to change things like aperture, ISO and things like that? Any comment you have on the two brands will also be useful.

Answer 1

Consider this: Canon will be releasing the 1000D soon, also known as the Rebel XS in the United States.  It has fewer megapixels (10), fewer AF points (7), and slower max framerate (1.5 or 3.0).  It might be a better value because I think the 450D is on the expensive end of the entry-level DSLR market.

The D80 isn't really an entry-level DSLR, it's just that its age has brought its price into entry-level territory.

As LEM says, you really have to go feel the cameras for yourself in a store.  However, to answer your question ("how easy is it to change settings?") the answer is the D80, because it has more dials and hard buttons than the 450D.  An unfortunate side effect of the 450D's enormous LCD is the diminishing number of buttons - there's not enough real estate on the back of the camera.

I went through this exact dilemma before settling on the 450D.  I really liked how the D80 felt, and I liked the buttons, dials, and screens.  Why did I choose the 450D?  Price.  It didn't make sense to me to pay more - only slightly more, but more nonetheless - for an older camera that was lacking a few features (3.0 FPS as opposed to 3.5, dust cleaning system, and a few other features of questionable importance, like the 14-bit ADC).

The only thing that annoys me about the 450D is that it lacks a dedicated AF assist lamp, which the D80 has.  This means that my camera has to shoot the flash in order to autofocus in low-light situations.

I think I would have been equally happy with the D80 as well.  So you've narrowed your choices down to two very good cameras. :)

Answer 2

Both are great cameras.

However, they are in different categories.

Nikon D80 can not be directly compared to Canon 450D.

D80 is a low grade professional camera that is in the same market as Canon 40D

Canon 450D is an advanced entry level camera that is in the same market as Nikon D60.

That said - it is really up to you as to what brand you want to go with, whether you decide to tap the more advanced body or save a bit and get the entry level camera (I'd suggest the later, and to get a better lens).

Here's an advice:

Go to http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/ and read all the specs and details on the cameras (I don't think they have detailed review of 450D yet, as it's so new to the market).

Then see if you like or dislike something about a particular camera compared to the rest. That will give you a good idea.

Then go to a camera store and handle them all. You may find that using one of the other is easier for you. More intuitive interface, better sits in your hands, etc. It is hard to suggest to you a particular camera, because every person is different. You may find that it's easier for you to use one camera, while for someone else a different model may be much better. So don't listen to anyone suggesting one brand over other. Just get what's best for you.

Just a piece of advice - lenses, not camera bodies are your better investment. Because with digital age - pretty much any camera body can become obsolete in about 5 years or so. But when you get a new one (of course same brand), your lenses will move over and will probably serve you for many years to come. So when you consider how to split your budget - remember, it's better to save on camera body than on lens! Don't fall for third party ones, like Sigma or Tamron. Get genuine Nikkor or Canon glass.

Good luck with your purchase!

You'll have many years of fun exploring the possibilities with whatever camera you buy!

LEM.

Answer 3

Lem gave you good advice, and I totally agree about going to a good camera store and handling them.  That is the only way you can decide which is the best one for you!

Answer 4

Im a Nikon user and i can tell u that nikon d80 is a great camera.both cameras  however have their own pros and cons.d80 was introduced as a budget d-slr so was the canon 450d.the only difference in both is a mere 2mp and thats in favour of canon.the ease of handling d80 is however much better compared to what i felt with the canon450d.also d80 has a better iso boost(3200 with boost,great for low light situations,canon-1600!)in d80,u can easily see in one go,with the top lcd all the settings in one go(file format,shutter speed,metering mode,iso,apeture,etc)instead of going to the main lcd on the back as is the case with canon450d.the two commander dials in d80 is also a very convenient feature to have.with this feature u can quite easily change the aperture,shutter speed,etc!!thus its your choice.also canon model comes with 18-55mm while nikon comes with 18-135mm.the extra mm in focal length can be great if u r a beginner(its not a great lens but ok for starting out.)both lenses are ok but u surely will outgrow them in due time.my advice is that both cameras would work great but save ur dough for the lenses.its not the 2mp difference of the sensor that would make the difference,its the lens that defines the quality of the photograph.get nikkor or canon lenses and try staying away from 3rd party lenses.one more advantage with nikon is that it has nikkor 18-200mm lens which is a great all round lens with good iq to boot!!!.it covers almost anything(canon ain't got that lens).in case u go for d80 u could buy the body separately and couple it with18-200mm.!!!i got mine a few months back and love the lens!!!.so check them both but the ease of use of the camera,lens options etc are what u should consider.imho nikon surely feels better,its got better handling characteristics.

hope this helps you....!!!!!

Answer 5

yes, lenses are far more important. I know from working in a large electronics chain that Nikon's are great cameras as well, they're lenses tend to be a little more affordable. It's wierd but it's true. As far as the d80 and 450d or xsi, the xsi has a great dust reduction system, so it just cleans itself. You can also use the lcd screen instead of the viewfinder to take pictures which is brand new for SLRs. Most of my customers actually don't know that you have to look through the viewfinder on slrs. They are usually surprised. I believe the canon also has more resolution, something like 12 megapixels versus 10 with the nikon.

they both have good preset settings, like action, and portrait. the lense that comes with either one if you buy the camera with the lense and not just the body should be macro lenses. they are great for up close to flowers and animals. the canon lense is stabilized.

and just a tip: a lot of big chains have specials each week where you can get the camera and 2 lenses for like $1100 or even less. Take advantage of something like that, you'll save a whole lot! I'm telling you from genuine retail expertise. good luck! let me know if you have any more ?s.

Answer 6

Blah, blah, blah, same as above, includingmostly that you need to go to a store to see which one you like.  Ask how to change the settings and see which one lets you do it with a minumum of button pushing or menu steps.

I have limited exposure to Canon's, but from what I've seen, Nikon is just more intuitive and easier to use once you know where you are going with the camera.  Give me two command dials any day!