Abstract said:
There are like 50 threads on this, probably 1 or 2 on the first page of this forum, actually.
And since I'm a sucker and will repeat my thoughts anyway, I guess I'll just skip this bs and give you the low-down.
Well I couldn't based on my previous post.
Firstly, if you're talking about the D70s vs the D50, and you're just starting out, then get the D50. There's a few things on the D70s I'd love to have, but it's a chunkier size and I didn't want to pay the price difference.
I would have said the same a few months ago. But with the recent price drop on the D70s, if I had to do it all over again I would get the D70s. Body prices are $550 vs. $700. Future growth in the D70s is worth it IMHO.
The Canon Rebel XT is......well..... 1) too small for adult hands
Very subjective. I have very large hands, but love how the heavier lenses that use (12-24 Tokina, 17-40L, and 28-75 Tamron) balance well on the XT body.
How is the quality poor? If you are talking about the lighter feel of the body's construction - then yes it is not quite what some other companies offer. Does this effect real world use, no! I work in a camera shop, and the body "feel" has not equated in to increased repairs.
If this not what you were reffering to, I would love to see links. Loved abusing my XT in SF last summer for a week of shooting.
3) Ergonomics and overall button layout isn't so hot (true for all Canons I've used, IMO) especially compared to Nikon's
Again subjective. I personally like the control layout of the XT over my 10D. My D50 is sort of a mixed bag. Most of the buttons I need are there on the D50, but not in the nice 5 way cross layout as on the XT.
4) Better (less noisy images) at high ISO settings, which is great if you use your camera at high ISOs, like at night. But then, it's not THAT bad on other cameras.
The noise differences at least in print samples that I have done over the years with DSLR's are not as bad as the pixel peeping "tests" would indicate.
I'd also consider an Olympus, although I really didn't like the menu system and control layout of the E-500 I used either. I used it around 1 week ago, and simply couldn't. I couldn't even set the darned thing beyond ISO 400 or 600 or something, although admittedly the setting to allow the ISO to be increased further was turned off, and the ability IS there to select a high ISO. However, why even bother having a feature that didn't allow for higher ISOs? Why not just let me choose whatever ISO I wish? I'm not a child.
As to the menu system, again subjective. I like it in concept. But most any menu system will be learned as one uses a camera. As to your other comments, I'll have to look at our display model. One issue we have in the stores is the ability for customers to change the way the camera works, to a point that even "basic" functions don't seem to work. In fact I learned tonight that there three resets on a D200 body, and a reset on a SB-800 flash.