Canon 400d vs Nikon 40d

jamieh

Hey all,

I want to buy a DSLR.

I'm only a beginner and these two cameras seem to fit the bill.

Which one should I go for?

rahtkennades

Hi Jamieh,

As with any purchase, the main decisions are on suitability, cost, and I suppose aesthetic appeal. So...

If both of them are suitable for what you want (are you sure they are?), and both cost around the same, then your best bet is to do what is normally recommended on this board, which is to go into a shop, pick both of them up, get a feel for the size of them and the position of the buttons, and make the decision based on that.

They're both fine cameras, but the decision is ultimately that which pleases you most.

Have a look through the sticky posting on 'what to buy' above, and see what people have said about both cameras if you want more advice.

PoleStar

This thread caught my eye as I am in the same position, looking for a first time dSLR and these 2 cameras just mentioned I have kinda been looking at, the D40x and the 400d, and also the dearer D80.

Just wondering though, price wise the 400d is only a bit dearer than the nikon D40x and yet if you look at group tests for example on cameralabs.com, the 400d is bumped into a group with the much dearer nikon d80 and does well up against it. This suggests that opinions on the 400d are better. Would I be right?

So do people here think the canon 400d matches up favourably to the nikon d80 coz if it does then I aint gonna fork out the extra for the nikon d80 which seems to be a great camera!

And sorry if this stuff has all been mentioned before and yes I have read the sticky!

Thanks for your help guys I am new to all this.

BTW if anyone is thinkin of givin me advice, my needs are as follows: New baby on the way and wanted to upgrade from my exilim which serves me well to get some proper baby shots! Also do like photography in general: I always drive my wife mad on holidays taking photos!

jaggiebunnet

I have a D40 and I find it brilliant, I don't think you would need much else as a beginner to be honest and only if you are into making posters and such like do you need the > 6million pixels.

jamieh

Hey all,

Excuse my ignorance, but if I buy one of the above cameras do I need to fork out for fancy lenses or can you get by with what's included in the box?

jaggiebunnet

you will get a lense with most of the cameras although i think you can also buy them without. the d40 comes with an 18mm-55mm lense.

jamieh

Nice one! I think I'm swaying the in direction of the Nikon.

Does anyone know does the d40 do video recording or just photo? I know the videos are always crap quality but I find it handy at concerts, etc.

jaggiebunnet

no dslr does video recording (that i know of) - thats not it's purpose.

jamieh

I figured that'd be the case alright! Thanks for your help.

Arciphel

very happy d40x owner here!

Oriel

Canon 400D wins I'm afraid. If you can afford it, spend the extra and get the Nikon D80.

PaulieC

there is a review of the 400D Vs. the D40x in the current (Sept.) issue of Practical Photography. Technically the two cameras are very evenly matched with the Nikon coming out just on top due to better ergonimics

Duffman

Recently bought a D40 after facing the same dilemma myself.

Couldn't be happier with it really. The body is smaller than the Canon and it just feels nicer in the hands. The kit lens is surprisingly good too and I've taken some great shots with it.

Great camera, highly recommended.

Spyral

nikon kit lenses are supposed to be better too...

positron

Nikon hadn't announced D40 when I was looking for first DSLR, but the key factor was the ratio of Canon or Nikon users that I know. Vast majority of people I know or work with are using Canon, with so much of Canon lenses that I can try out or borrow for special occasions etc - I bought myself a 400D, and I very happy with it!

jamieh

Hey all,

Went into the shop today all set to buy a D40......ended up buying a D80....Woo

Roen

jamieh wrote:

Hey all,

Went into the shop today all set to buy a D40......ended up buying a D80....Woo

Congrats! That's a camera you can grow into instead of out of!