Seems like these are the two popular for digital SLR. Which one is the best? alright... maybe depends on the needs, tell me then, which one is the best for which condition? And let me know if you have experience with either one, please tell why you like it and what you'd like them to improve. Thanks !

*maybe I'm gonna buy one*

Maybe this is a good start, in case you haven't read it yet:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/nikon-vs-canon.htm
Be sure to check out mr rockwells page, he has a lot of in-depth and pratical reviews on canon and nikon stuff, although he's biased towards nikon...

I think it depends on which one you like better. You'll have pick them up at a shop and see how they feel, or better yet borrow them and test them yourself if you can. I tried the Canon XTi and the nikon D80, and felt right at home with the nikon. The bigger viewfinder is definitely a plus on the nikon, the canon's viewfinder seemed to be tiny in comparison. And I could figure out the nikon's controls more easily. But that's just my impression.

I'm really happy with the d80, I love it's "noise" in the high isos, which is very pleasant and feels more like film grain than digital noise. I also like the b/w mode very much. The recent b/w pics on my blog have all been taken directly in b/w mode, with an emulated orange filter. I also love to play with the double/triple exposure feature.

The only drawback I see is the d80's metering, which tends to overexpose. This has been widely discussed on the net. I got used to it quickly, though, and it's not a big deal. I even feel that the d80 produces much less ugly colours (often none at all) around blown highlights than other digital cameras.

just my thoughts, hope it helps...
Henning

I agree with Mike on the fact that you've got to really try them out for yourself and see what you're comfortable with. Both Canon and Nikon have been around forever and know what they're doing. I prefer Canon, and know lots of people who do, but at the same time, I know lots of people who love their Nikons.

The quality is there for both, but you'll have to weigh things that are important to you. Look at the storage cards, lenses, cost.

You'll love whatever one you get.
Rob

Much as I can stand Ken Rockwell (his "discussions" have prompted flamewars on FredMiranda), he does some valid points. I'm still not happy with his evaluation method

We choose our systems for what needs we have. So if there is a particular need for a shot that only that manufacture makes, then you're set in a direction.

Both systems are well supported both themselves and various other companies.

I'm a Canon person (I joined from the EOS 300D and currently run a 20D as my main body). For my needs (ameture, semipro, photoshoot work) the 20D is fast enough for my needs. The more pro build of it means i can subject it a lot more to nasties than the 300D.

The Nikons i have used I've found easy to adapt to, but I'm sticking with canon as i have a small investment tided up in Canon EOS lenses, and I can't be bothered to sell the whole system and start again

Pentaxs - until recently, they've been very entry level builds. the K10D is a very nice option, and is currently on my look list as a third body

Sigma - the SD14 is still vapourware. And limited lenses.

Olympus/Panasonic/ Lecia (4/3 mount) - This is the only platform I have some major issues with at the moment as the sensors on these increase the lens crop factor to a factor of 2... so a 50mm lens becomes 100mm, 14 becomes 28, etc. Great if you want Telephoto lenses on the cheap, but not if you're doing landscapes! Lenses are also very expensive in comparision to EOS/F-mount series. Until more lenses and Sigma gets working, 4/3rds mount is really a no-go for me.

The best thing is to go into the camera shop, be annoying and play with as many DSLR's as you can. Take a couple of memory cards along and snap some shots so you get an idea of image quality and sit down at home and look at each picture in detail. And save for a 50mm lens (what was in the old days called a "normal" lens). Canon/Nikon's is about £80.. and a very good learning tool.

Henning: Remember to underexpose it slightly, then process the RAW in LightRoom/Photoshop... its easier to recover.

It's a case of trying for yourself.

If you go to a proper camera shop they should let you have a dam good play before parting with your money.

I personally prefer Nikon. Find out for your self - Pick up a Nikon and a Cannon, fiddle with the controls and then tell me which feels more solid and well put together.

Thanks for input guys.. sorry for late thanks,.. quite busy lately
Appreciate the time you spent for this,.. will go out to play now

Both are great

A forever debate topic. I was a Nikonian and recently, changed my identity to Canonian. It was not because I was disappointed by Nikon's performance. I still think that their lenses and cameras are better built. I like far more the feeling of holding Nikon's lenses and cameras but I have to admit that that it is a matter of perference and partly because of my past experience built up with Nikon's.

The key reason that induces me for a switch is that there were no full frame DSLRs other than Canon's and thus, I was in a way forced to betray Nikon. I need a full frame camera because I don't want to fuss about the convertion of focal lengths and the fact that I have to change all my good lenses that I own to another set of lenses to make them within my workable angle ranges pulled me to join Canon.

Although I enjoy using Nikon's system more, I have to praise Canon's design for the dial at the back of their cameras (not entry level cameras though) for + or - exposures which is very handy and of course, the better control of noise at high ISOs.

Now, Nikon has its full frame camera, D3 (unfortunately, not D300), I hope they will release a prosumer/professional full frame camera in future as I won't go for D3 partly because of the price and partly because I don't like the size and weight of professional cameras since my subject interest doesn't require a built-in motor. I rather choose a ligher camera.

The Canon 40D is very very good！

what about Pentax? Such K10D!! It's great~

I totally agree with Liuyafu: K10d is fantastic.

use happy-snappy disposables for a few months and then, believe me, you'll use whichever of the two- nikon or canon - that come into your local pawnshop first.! And guess what? Tthe photos will still be exactly as good as if you'd always had the camera of your choice. lets face it, you can have no techniique at all and take fab photos because you can see them, but you can have a $10,000 nikon and take crap, because you can't see anything..

Nikon or Canon?... Or Pentax.