Nikon D60 VS Canon Rebel XS (1000D)

[Canadian]

I'm going to gently wade into the DSLR world with a cheap DSLR kit.

The two most readily available and within my price range are the Nikon D60 and Canon Rebel XS (1000D).

I've read several reviews of each camera and have also read a few side-by-side comparisons. Unfortunately I haven't been able to come to a conclusion. From what I've read the Canon lens does not get favorable reviews and the Nikon lens is slightly better. I don't plan on using this camera solely for aquarium shots but that's certainly something it will be used for. At this point I also don't want to buy additional lenses - I just want to get familiar with the camera, take some shots of my inhabitants, and take some shots while on vacation in the Dominican Republic.

So, which of these two cameras would people recommend?

 

[TWallace]

I wouldn't base my decision on which one comes with a better lens personally. The whole idea of DSLRs is using multiple lenses, and camera kits typically don't come with a spectacular lens in the first place. I'd get the body used and then separately buy whatever lens you want.

 

[RyanEG]

Go to a camera shop and handle each camera, get whichever feels more comfortable to you.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

I would say these cameras are equally cheap and the lenses they come with are equally bad. Both kits are "bottom of the barrel" so to speak. Harsh but true. If I was getting either of these kits, a new lens would be the first thing on my list...like...the day I get the camera.

 

[Bluespot22]

Sorry to hijack, but what lens would you guys recommend for the canon rebel xs?

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

For your tank the 100mm f/2.8 Macro. For anything else...it depends what that anything else is. The whole point of a dslr is to have several lenses, each with a specific job to do. If you don't plan on buying lenses for your camera don't bother with a DSLR, that is why point and shoots were invented. They are "jack of all trades, master of none" cameras. The DSLR can technically be outfitted to capture any photo conceivable, but you have to buy very specific equipment in order to do so. If you don't have the lenses, flashes, or whatever else you need for your DSLR...a point and shoot could possibly do a better job. I mention this because you specifically stated you don't intend on getting any lenses for some time...but that defeats the point of the system. It is kind of like an ammonia test kit with nitrite being the only thing you can test for.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

Oh wait that was some other guy asking about lenses....oops

The point still stands. The worst DSLR currently sold paired with one of the worst lenses isn't going to be spectacular. If on top of that you don't want to upgrade your kit...it just doesn't make logical sense. Get a Canon G10 or Panasonic LX3 if you want a nice camera for general stuff. They are both less expensive, smaller, and I would take either over an XSi or D60 paired with kit lenses no mater what I was taking pictures of.

 

[Canadian]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14757653#post14757653 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitusvileSurfer
Oh wait that was some other guy asking about lenses....oops

The point still stands. The worst DSLR currently sold paired with one of the worst lenses isn't going to be spectacular. If on top of that you don't want to upgrade your kit...it just doesn't make logical sense. Get a Canon G10 or Panasonic LX3 if you want a nice camera for general stuff. They are both less expensive, smaller, and I would take either over an XSi or D60 paired with kit lenses no mater what I was taking pictures of.

The Panasonic LX3 is $600 CAD - the Canon Rebel XS (1000D) is $549 CAD and the Nikon D60 is $600 CAD.

From the reviews and test images on dpreview.com the Panasonic LX3 took significantly worse pictures than both DSLRs with their stock lenses. I guess I don't see it making any sense to buy a Panasonic LX3 that is going to leave me stuck with the same poor picture quality over buying even a bottom of the barrel DSLR that appears to take better quality pictures and gives me the option to swap lenses in the future and all are going to cost about the same price.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/PanasonicDMCLX3/page9.asp

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/CanonEOS1000D/page24.asp (shows the 1000D in a side-by-side comparison to the D60)

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

I still honestly think I could do better with a G10 or LX3 than a D60 or 1000D pared with kit lenses. Naw I take that back I know I could. Since you stated you have no intention of upgrading the DSLR any time soon anyway...it seems like the logical choice to me.

 

[BlueCorn]

I wouldn't go that far, but I agree that unless you're planning on expanding your lens line up you might get better satisfaction from a really nice point and shoot.

As mentioned in the sticky at the top of this forum. The camera body doesn't have nearly the impact on image quality that the lens does. I don't like the XS because I feel that it's controls are seriously dumbed down but you can still take good pictures with it using quality glass.

Chers