Your Questions About Canon Digital Slr Camera Comparison

rob answers:

I’d vote for the D40X. If you are a filmmaker, you will appreciate the fact that the D40X has a real spot meter and the XT (and XTi) do not. The best they can give you is a 10% “partial central area” meter.

Check this page. I added the D40, because there is not a review for the D40X at this site yet, but it is very similar to the D40. I added the XTi just because many people include this newer camera in their comparisons.

Http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_eos350d%2Cnikon_d40x%2Ccanon_eos400d%2Cnikon_d40&show=all

See: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40x.htm

See: http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3896/camera-test-nikon-d40x.html for a glowing review.

I have done a comparison of the D40X and Rebel XTi, which I will post here. It would be valid for you to read this, as the XTi is the newer “better” camera, so one would expect it to compare to another camera more favorably that the XT.

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Nikon D40X vs. Canon Rebel XTi

The D40X is so new that I don’t see any decent sample images yet. Can we assume (hope) that it would give similar results to the D80? It seems so. See: http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3896/camera-test-nikon-d40x.html for a glowing review that even compares it with the XTi just a little bit.

I still like the idea that the Nikon has a spot meter and find it odd that the Canon doesn’t. The Nikon is a bit limited in autofocus capabilities and speed compared to the Canon, though.

Here are some pertinent quotes about the D40X:

“Noise suppression was generally better than the D80′s and much better than the Rebel’s. As ISOs increased, the D40x’s resolution exceeded that of the Rebel.”

“The economy-model status of the D40x doesn’t show in picture quality, either. At ISO 100, the D40x turned in an average resolution of 2075 lines, slightly behind the Nikon D80 and Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi.”

Continue on down on page 2 for a direct comparison to the XTi. I’ll let you read it for yourself, as it seems to lean slightly towards the Canon and it would kill me to write that. I’ll leave that job for Koko.

But seriously, these cameras are EXTREMELY close in performance and value. It is true that there is a “problem” with older Nikon lenses not autofocusing on the D40, but if you do not own a bag full of older lenses, it is not going to be a problem.

You need to go to a real camera store and pick up both cameras and see how they feel to you. Some people will love the Canon and some will love the Nikon. Find out which one you are. You will be happy with either one, but you will be happiest with the one that fits your hands better.

See also: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_eos400d%2Cnikon_d40x&show=all

B&H Prices, April 2007

Nikon D40x, 10.2 Megapixel, SLR, Digital Camera Kit with Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens – $800

Nikon D40x, 10.2 Megapixel, SLR, Digital Camera Kit with Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens – $1,030

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi (a.k.a. 400D) 10.1 Megapixel, SLR, Digital Camera Kit (Silver) with Canon 18-55mm EF-S Lens – $770

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi (a.k.a. 400D) 10.1 Megapixel, SLR, Digital Camera Body (Black) with Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Autofocus Lens – $1,180

rob answers:

I like canon.

My suggestion
go to yahoo shopping
digital cameras
digital camera GUIDE
be sure to check titles on the left side
the guide should answer your questions

rob answers:

The dynamic range of digital SLR’s has always been wider than the transparency film it replaced. Shoot in RAW and it increases.

To make the comparison, you really need to do a test. Under identical conditions, shoot with both a 35 mm SLR and DSLR. Bracket the exposures in 1/3rd stop increments over and under the proper exposure.

Examination of the results will show you the narrow DR of Chromes and the reason photographers from that era, nail their exposures every time.

rob answers:

Kodak cameras are junk. I wish I could say something nicer than that but I can’t. I bought one for my mom four years ago and did not like it. This past week I bought another Kodak digital camera (Z710) for a work project because of the picture dock . . . What a piece of junk too. The same results you are getting, horrible color tones, blue fringing, little manual settings, grainy pictures and inaccurate flash. I’ll be amazed if Kodak is still around 15 years.

I do not know about the Panasonic/Lumiux cameras. I have not used them but I’ve heard mixed reviews about them. So be sure to research the model well.

Personally, I can very highly recommend the Canon Powershot line of cameras. I’ve used one for the past year (A620) and it’s great! Right now Canon is by far the tops in the digital camera market. Great exposure, accurate color tones, great price/performance and rugged. Just get a Canon instead, you will be very happy you did.

Someone had mentioned about www.dpreview.com check them out before buying a camera they are pretty accurate in their reviews.

Good Luck

~ Tex

I just got through reading your question again. I think your problem is in your color profile. Because you did not list what OS (Windows or Mac) and also what program you are using to view your pictures in, I can not go in to solutions.

I a nut shell, all digital equipment use color profiles to adjust to what it considers to be perfect / accurate color. Some profiles are different than others. It could be that in your computer the profile it’s using is set up for the Panasonic camera instead of the Kodak. So when you save the picture or open it, it does change the picture in some way. This is just a guess.

Trouble shoot the problem
1) try printing directly from the camera’s card
2) try loading the pictures on a computer with out digital picture software

Do a search on the web for ICC profiles this might give you a little more info:
http://www.imaginginfo.com/article/article.jsp?id=1110&siteSection=30

rob answers:

Hmm… This problem could be caused by several different factors. First, are you happy with the way your pics look on the computer? Second, pixel size only matters to a certain point. If you’re doing smaller pics (4×6) you really don’t need a gadgillion pixels for every day photography. It’s only when you get into the 8×10′s or poster sizes that you’ll really see a difference.

The fact that you can see your pics normally on the computer tells me that your camera is operating properly. How are you getting your pics to Walmart? Uploading online? Could be a software problem. If you’re physically going into the store and inserting your memory card in the machine, it could be the machine. Let Walmart know about your problem.

I’ve always been extremely happy with Walmart photos, but I upload mine from the computer.

As far as camera preference…the technology is all pretty much the same. It’s just a matter of personal taste. And battery life!!! Before I buy any computer gadgets, I always go to cnet.com for the latest reviews. Good luck!