I am trying to decide between purchasing the Nikon D-50 SLR (6.1 megapixel) or the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT (8 megapixel).

The person I spoke with really recommended the Nikon because the lens is better (both come with an 18-55 mm auto focus lens) and she feels that the quality is little better than the Canon.

Which one should I get?

If I get the Nikon, I am thinking of spending a little extra to get a "package" which includes an 18-70mm AF Lens and 1 gig Memory Card. Is this a good enough lens or should I buy a better lens than this?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Courtney

I don't enough about digital SLR to advise you. I do know that I would want a much longer zoom that a 70mm. My Panasonic 12X zoom is equivalent to a 400mm +. I am sure someone else can probably advise you as to which will be the better camera.

Olly and Colleen have the Canon Eos 350D,thus they could give you better advice :)
Also,you could judge looking at this comparison shot

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond50/page23.asp

From what i have read both cameras will give you great images.Check the reviews and see what feature is more important to you,but not base your decision on megapixels,6 or 8 is the same for an A4 print
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond50/
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos350d/

Thank you both for your advice. I look forwarded to hearing what Olly and Colleen have to say about the comparison, as I imagine they considered both cameras before they purchased the Canon.

The salesperson we spoke with was very knowledgable. However it was very clear to me that she prefers Nikon in every instance over the Canon. I'm not so sure that the Nikon is better. I should also mention that the Canon is $100 US more than the Nikon (so she was recommending the cheaper SLR)...

. I'm not so sure that the Nikon is better. ..

I believe that depends on what someone wants,and if someone is an amateur or not photographer,for example Nikon D50 has better in-camera image processing(noise reduction,saturation,contrast)thus this camera is the better choice for someone which doesn't like doing the post-processing on pc and wants just to shoot and take a good photo

Actually I think the 350D is doing better than the D70 "out of the box". With the D70 photos are a little too dark and need some work to make them look better. That said, when a photo is dark you still keep all details. When a photo is overexposed, the details are lost in the overexposed (white) area.

Between the two I would choose the 350D if I were you. But do you really want a SLR? :)
The 350D takes good photos and even at 1,600 ISO the noise isn't bad at all.
Its sensor is recent. I think the one on the D50 is still the "old" Sony sensor used on the D70. It has been improved but it starts to get "outdated" (in the electronic world). Also, Canon lenses are less expensive than their Nikon equivalent. That's not very important if you get a third party lens like Tamron or Sigma.
What I dislike is its build quality compared to the D70. It looks easy to break and the plastic can be scratched with your nails. Its LCD is not very bright so hard to see in the sun.
8 megapixels is still better than 6 megapixels when you see the photo in real size and it allows you to crop more.

That said, the Nikon D50 is certainly a good camera too. Reviews about it are excellent! I have the 18-70 lens and it is a good lens, very sharp but with some distorsion at wide angle.

If you travel and want a kind of "does it all" lens, I would not get the kit lens but get instead the Sigma 18-200 or the Tamron 18-200. They both become a 29-320mm (if they were film cameras). I have the Sigma and I am very happy with it. It focuses quickly (not very silently compared to the 18-70mm you can't hear), it is compact/light and its range is great with a long zoom and a decent wide angle.
According to reviews I read, the Tamron is better at long zoom but it has more distorsion at wide angle than the Sigma.

Between the two I would choose the 350D if I were you. But do you really want a SLR? :)

Uh-oh... I think I want a digital SLR, don't I? :)

How about this: I want a very nice digital camera without spending more than $1000 US Dollars +/-. Beyond that, I need lots of help and guidance :D

I thought I was narrowing my choice down to two of the best cameras in that price range -- but perhaps there is a better camera for me out there? I did see the Sigma lens that you mentioned available. I would like to get it!

There are also Olympus, Pentax and Minolta (and its new Maxxum 5D which has a large 2.5 inch LCD and an inbuilt antishake system).
The Minolta can be very interesting but I don't know its price.
I believe the 350D with the Sigma 18-200 is currently the best value for money (well, certainly the reason why I got it!). I can upload full size photos on pbase if you want to see some photos taken with them :)

Olly

I can upload full size photos on pbase if you want to see some photos taken with them

Well, I'd hate to be trouble, but yes please! :)

Thank you very much - and thank you Douma and Jan for your feedback and advice. I will keep you posted on which one I choose. I am excited as this will definitely be the nicest camera I have ever owned. :)

I am now leaning back towards the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT. It comes with a standard 18-55mm AF Lens, however I would like to buy the Sigma 18-200mm Lens.

Olly, do you only use the Sigma Lens in all situations when using your Canon camera?

I have the option of just purchasing the "body only" for a little bit cheaper, and buying my Sigma lens seperately. Or, should I just buy the standard kit (with 18-55mm lens) and purchase the Sigma Lens in addition to this?

Sorry for so many questions! :)

Yes, I only use the Sigma 18-200 because it is my only lens with it for now.
Later, I will get a macro lens :)
I didn't get the 18-55mm kit lens because the Sigma covers that range and even more. According to the tests I read, the Canon kit lens isn't that great and the Sigma is always better at any range, even at wide angle which is surprising.

You might hesitate between the Sigma 18-200 and the Tamron 18-200. Apparently the Tamron is better at full zoom than the Sigma, but it has also more distorsion at wide angle. I use more the wide angle position than the full zoom so I chose the Sigma (which also appears more solid as it is in metal. The Tamron is made in plastic).

I uploaded yesterday more photos taken with the Canon and the Sigma 18-200 at http://www.pbase.com/boxerworld/canon_350d
The latest uploaded are
http://www.pbase.com/boxerworld/image/46819514
http://www.pbase.com/boxerworld/image/46819598
http://www.pbase.com/boxerworld/image/46819651
http://www.pbase.com/boxerworld/image/46819743
http://www.pbase.com/boxerworld/image/46819820
http://www.pbase.com/boxerworld/image/46819861

You need to click "original" to see them in full size, like at http://www.pbase.com/boxerworld/image/46819861/original
The 8 megapixel are impressive for details :)

Olly

Thank you Ollieakiss :)

Your photos are great! - thanks for uploading them to pbase. In America, all of the stores try to sell the Canon with the standard lens (as a kit). However, I have found some places online that will sell it as the body only, that way I can purchase the lens that I want.

Thanks again
Courtney

Thanks to all of you that helped me in my search for a new camera.

This morning I purchased the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT (black), with the Canon Zoom Super Wide Angle EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM Autofocus Lens.

I also purchased the following accessories:

* 1 GB Memory Card

* Canon Deluxe Backpack 200 EG (can be seen here)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=248295&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

* 2 Lens Filters: Tiffen 58mm UV Protection Filter and Circular Polarizing Glass Filter

I ended up getting the "kit" Canon Lens because (a) The price was pretty reasonable and (b) I just need more time and experience with my SLR to figure out what sort of lens I really want and need.

It should arrive in 3 business days -- I cannot wait!! :D

Congratulations!!!Can't wait to see your photos :D

Congrats Courtney!!! How exciting. Can't wait to see your pictures. I think you'll be so happy with your purchase. :)

Congratulations! I shall look forward to seeing lots and lots of photo's

Congrats Courtney, sorry I didn't get back soon enough to reply to your post but been having some family problems here. I love my Rebel XT the only thing as mentioned is its hard to see the LCD screen outside. Also I wouldn't have known enough about teh NIkon to give you as good info as Olly did. I always have liked Canon. I didn't buy the package with mine as they didn't have it at the time. I did buy another lens (Tamron AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3, filter , bag, bigger memory.

Its great to have others with the same camera so we can help each other out. I'm still learning.

Cool! No more excuse for not uploading more photos now :D
The kit lens is a good starter. It is not really a "super" wide angle as they claim because the 18mm becomes a 28.8 (18x1.6) on the 350D. The 55mm becomes a 90mm. It will be fine for taking photos in a city etc. Later, you might want to get a zoom like the 70-200 f4 Sophia has :)

Olly

My SLR and equipment just arrived in the mail!

I'm charging the battery and reading the big book of information so I can learn how to use the camera. Maybe I'll have some nice new photos soon :D

Great :)
When you attach the lens to the body, be sure there is no dust around!