Help me choose..please!!

[Haley64]

For you great gals that really know your stuff about cameras, between these two, which one would you pick?

Nikon (http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/SLR1173.htm) Package Sale

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Nikon/nikon_d40x.asp?dontcount=1
I am leaning towards the Nikon due to the VM lens that comes in the package.

On this page:http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40x/

Is the "Auto Focus only for AF-S or AF-I lenses" going to be an issue in time to come? Is this an advantage or disadvantage not having the Focus Drive Pin?

Does the cannon have this feature?

Cannon (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital-Rebel-18-55mm-75-300mm/dp/B000KK1ZRC/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1203017903&sr=1-4#moreAboutThisProduct)

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_eos400d.asp?dontcount=1

I have read that the cannon doesn't come with a memory card?

Are there len's on the market that are interchange able between camera brands?

I am sorry for my rambling questions, right now I am just really on the fence.
I am not even sure I am asking the questions that matter!
I just know that I used to love my 1982 Minolta 35mm and haven't had such good photo's yet from my Olympus cameras. I really miss the feel of a real camera in my hands and hate the credit card thin ones.

If you have any suggestions Please, please help me decide as I think Uncle Sam wants me to have one of these!! :)

[kjbstevens]

I have the Canon Xti and I really love it. I highly recommend mine. The new Xsi that is coming out in April has an image stabilization kit lens that comes with it. Maybe it would be worth the wait for another month and a half for it. It has live view LCD screen too which I would personally love. It doesn't have enough worth upgrading in it for me, but if I was buying new I would get it.

[sprauncey1]

Cannon's are all like that..the autofocus for them is always in the lenses (which is why in general they cost more than nikon lenses) so really I don't see much of a difference in the two. Did you read the whole review? At the very end (this page (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40x/page20.asp)) they compare the two side by side. VERY subtle differences. So which ever is cheaper seems like the right answer since they are so similar!!!

Now the Nikon D80 (I know more expensive) can use lenses that don't have the autofocus in them since its in the camera. This is nice since then when you get multiple lenses you don't have to pay as much and you have more to chose from (or maybe that's not a good thing LOL)! Soooooo...could you hang on a little longer and wait for the D80? Just a thought! I know you want it NOW!!!

[Kim2002]

I think you'll likely be happy with either one. I'm a Canon girl, but I think Andrea shoots Nikon. So perhaps she can speak about that. As for lenses interchanging.....you can use Nikkor on Nikon cameras and you can use Tamron on Canon cameras.

FWIW, I'm on a pro forum and many of them switched from Nikon to Canon over the last year or so. I'm not really sure of the back story on that, but they all seem very happy with their decision.

[DawnMarch]

I think the story on pros switching from Nikon to Canon is, simply, the Canon 5D. In it's price-range, it blew other dSLRs away, especially in the noise department. I was already Canon, but a number of my friends switched to the Canon 5D for on-location shooting with no flash. You can shoot that camera at ISO 800 easily if your exposure is right, whereas the Nikon's will get tons of noise that high.

Anyhow, I think you'll be happy with the Nikon or the Canon. They are both great cameras.

[kchris]

I just got the Nikon and am really enjoying it.

[jessica31876]

I agree with the first girl who commented about the canon XSI. If I could afford that one I would defenitely wait another month for it. I believe its going to be around 1200 for camera and lens. Not sure if that is in your budget or not but it looks to be very nice. The selling point for me is the live-veiw LCD

[kjbstevens]

Amazon has the Xsi's (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital-Camera-18-55mm-3-5-5-6/dp/B0012Y6HC8/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1203084856&sr=8-4) on presale for $899 with the IS lens. I have a friend that preordered one and I just want to touch it. :lol

[Haley64]

Thank you all for your replies! I will consider all you have said and try to make a decision. I can wait, but I want it! LOL

[~Margie~]

I think you cannot go wrong with either choice...Canon lovers love their Canons, and Nikon lovers love their Nikons!

[Haley64]

Ok I am shopping, the Nikon needs SD memory cards, which ones are the good ones and what would be your recommended size's.

Also if anyone has a flash preference please share that info also!

TIA so much!! :)

[tweederbug]

Amazon is alredy doing a preorder on the the XSi....without the starting lens starting out at $799.00! I have already checked into upgrading.I have the XTi and I am in love with it. I have never had a Nikon so I can't say if it a good camera or not. I just know that I am pleased with the Canons .. this is my second Canon and they have both done me right.