The Unending Battle Between Canon and Nikon

Canon and Nikon are the two names that reverberate among professional and amateur photographers alike. The sheer variety presented by the two companies makes decision-making overwhelming — so it is no surprise that the question of which is the better option keeps growing in photography forums, drawing the opinions of young shooters and seasoned professionals in equal measure.

Notwithstanding the many camera brands out there, it may surprise just about anyone that Nikon and Canon are the two companies getting all the buzz.

Besides being the foremost manufacturers of multipurpose cameras, these two companies have a variety that fits almost everyone in the photography world — and I think that is the major reason it is hard not to mention them.

Punch, Counter-Punch

Pitch Nikon against Canon and it is almost as if every product by one is quickly countered by the other, with nearly the same — or more — features than the rival's model. For example, Nikon has the D4s range while Canon fields the 1D X, the flagship of its series. Both are great cameras; the differences lie in body design and speed. You can get great results with either. But note well: the result depends on the type of lens you put in front of the body. Pile up crap in front of your camera, and you will end up with a result exactly as crappy.

If you are wondering which to go for, my honest answer is: either. They are both seriously expensive DSLRs, and for a beginner, neither should be your first camera. One remarkable change Canon brought to its cameras was abandoning its old mount through the late 80s and early 90s. What this means today is that lenses made for the newer mount slot straight into any of Canon's newer cameras. The old restriction thoroughly pissed off photographers in its day — and the transformation was a smart move by Canon.

The Heavyweights: D810 vs 5D Mark III

Then there is the Nikon D810 and its subsequent upgrades, closely rivalled by the Canon 5D Mark III and its own line of upgrades. The latter is one of the best-rounded cameras ever to hit the market — suitable for a myriad of photography types, from portraits to weddings to sports and beyond. It also produces great video.

Make no mistake, though: the D810 is a monster in its own right, offering 36 megapixels. It is not as versatile as the 5D Mark III, because it is best suited to particular situations — but in those situations it is devastating. One thing both companies excel at is packing in the megapixels while genuinely improving their sensors. Newer camera manufacturers often make the mistake of believing megapixels are all that matter, neglecting every other part of the camera — their most obvious flaw.

The Sensor Question

Speaking of sensors: Canon and Nikon cameras are powered by sensors of similar size. The majority of Nikon's newer DSLRs use the latest sensor design, which eliminates the optical low-pass filter without introducing distortion in patterns and fine lines. Light must pass through that filter before hitting the sensor — so eliminating it lets the camera grab more detail and perform better in low light. Canon's DSLRs still make use of optical low-pass filters while pushing ever harder on megapixels — although there are Canon ranges, like the EOS 5DS R, that dispense with the filter too.

Living With Them

When it comes to operation, the two brands perform similarly — not without noticeable differences, though. The two brands use different terminologies for the same things: Nikon says “S” where Canon says “Tv” to indicate shutter-priority mode. Nikon's terminology is by far the simpler of the two. Switch from one brand to the other, and you are in for a great deal of unlearning and relearning.