Nikon D80 vs Canon XTI

I am torn between both cameras. I like many of the features of the
Nikon D80 BUT:

The dust removal system of the Canon seems like a very important
feature. Just how much of a problem is dust if you change lenses
frequently?

Some prelim reviews claim that the Canon has a faster and more accurate
auto focus. Comments Please.

As for Nikon D80


Some say that the color is more of a mutes pastel and appears richer.


The D80 has the ability to turn on a grid helping out with composition
according to the rule of thirds.
Anyone think this is more important to have over the long term than a
dust removal system?

Some say that Nikon and their lenses have somewhat better construction.
Comments Please

I guess the bottom line is how they feel in your hands. Is that the
most important criteria?


How does one decide or it may be a moot point in 2 years when the next
round of camera is shipped. I think that by then Nikon will wake up.

However, they did have a 1/500 flash sync that they removed. I hate it
when features are taken away on future cameras.

"measekite" wrote

My 2c: (I'm a Nikon user, so I may be a bit biased, but I'll try to be
objective)

>I am torn between both cameras. I like many of the features of the Nikon
>D80 BUT:
>
> The dust removal system of the Canon seems like a very important feature.
> Just how much of a problem is dust if you change lenses frequently?

It's not much of a problem, honestly. I would love to have an automatic dust
removal system, but I've cleaned my D70 once in the two years I've owned it,
it was a 3 minute thing with the right tools. And I'm not a very versed
person in things small and fiddly.

> Some prelim reviews claim that the Canon has a faster and more accurate
> auto focus. Comments Please.

I can't really comment on that, other than that I'm happy with the autofocus
on the D70 and the D200. It's sometimes (not always) also a function of the
lens, if you don't have AFS or USM lenses. I have the 18-70 kit lens which
has AFS, and it's quick and snappy on both cameras, whereas the old 70-300G
lens hunts for focus on D70, D200 and F100. I have to admit, though, that I
very much like the Nikon autofocus system in general.

>
> As for Nikon D80
>
>
> Some say that the color is more of a mutes pastel and appears richer.

I haven't seen many pics from the D80 yet - I'm waiting for the full preview
on some websites. There have been threads in this ng which pointed to
galleries of sample pics.

> The D80 has the ability to turn on a grid helping out with composition
> according to the rule of thirds.
> Anyone think this is more important to have over the long term than a dust
> removal system?

A dust removal system and a "composition help" are two fundamentally
different things. I absolutely love the on-demand grid lines, they help me a
lot to keep my photos straight. I think that's a very helpful feature, but
that's just me. Pro's may not need it, but I as an amateur certainly think I
do.

> Some say that Nikon and their lenses have somewhat better construction.
> Comments Please

I think, both Canon and Nikon make very rugged cameras in the "higher
class", and both make cameras that are less well built, but still very good.
The Nikons tend to be a bit heavier and bulkier (IIRC), but this has never
been a problem for me. The D100 or F100 are built like tanks, the D70 would
have profited from a bit more environmental sealing.

> I guess the bottom line is how they feel in your hands. Is that the most
> important criteria?

It may not be the most important, but it is VERY important, believe me.
Before I went the Nikon route (back in the film days), I tried to handle as
many camera brands as I could to make up my mind. It just so happened that
the Nikons tended to feel good in my hands, the controls were in all the
right places (with some exceptions, though nothing critical) and the weight
and bulk felt "just right" for me. That, in combination with all other
considerations, was an important part in the decision making process.

> How does one decide or it may be a moot point in 2 years when the next
> round of camera is shipped. I think that by then Nikon will wake up.

If you always want the newest, bestest digital camera, you'll be spending
LOTS of money in the coming years. I've long been waiting for a camera like
the D200, and I consider my getting the D70 a somewhat premature decision.
I'm not in a bad situation now, the D200 being my primary camera, with the
D70 as the backup body, should I need it. I think, pick the camera that
satisfies your requirements with respect to image quality, ease of use,
flexibility, handling etc. and then stick with it for as long as you can.
The photographer takes the pictures, not the camera.

> However, they did have a 1/500 flash sync that they removed. I hate it
> when features are taken away on future cameras.

So do I, but then cameras are aimed at a certain group of people (the
companies of course want these groups to be as large as possible). I guess
Nikon thought that for the intended audience, a flash sync speed of 1/250
would be enough.

I admit, not much useful information, but I hope it helps a bit.

Cheers,
ink