Need help deciding

[basilio4]

I'm ready to buy a DSLR and according to my budget I've narrow my choices to a canon 70D with a 18-135mm lens or a nikon D7100 with a 18-105mm lens.
I,m hoping that owners of these cameras can give me some input and HELP me with this decision.
THANK YOU
BASILIO

[Polar01]

Both a very good choice, if possible go and get them in you hands to see which one feel better in those hands. As for the tech stuff one is better in a small way at some things and the other is better at something else neither is better than the other.

Cheers: Allan

[Andrew76]

+1 to that.

[Mike Buckley]

If you have a good friend who has a command of the Canon or Nikon system, consider that as well. Once I determined that my first Nikon DSLR was comfortable in my hands, I bought it without trying any other system. That's because I had a good friend who knew the system well and was happy to help me any time the need would arise.

My decision about that might be the best decision I ever made pertaining to photography because I used his help often. It was certainly the best decision that I made pertaining to my first couple of years of DSLR photography.

[rpcrowe]

I also recommend that you try to forecast what the camera/lens will be used to shoot.

If you are aiming exclusively (or even primarily) at still photos, your camera needs will be different from another photographer who is using the DSLR exclusively or primarily for video; and perhaps different from the photographer ho will shot video and stills just about equally.

There are some touted advantages that can be a disadvantage to some folks. Snapsort.com states an advantage of the 70D is "less buttons" because of touch screen operation. This may be an advantage to some photographers but, I detest touch screen controls on my cameras..

BTW: Adorama has the 60D body, refurbished (this is the way I purchase all of my DSLR cameras) for $539 (USD) while a new 70D (not available yet as a refurb) is $1199. That means a new 70D is well over twice the price of the refurb 60D. Is it worth that difference? Only the user can decide.

Here is a breakdown of the specifications differences between the 70D and the 60D.
http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-EO..._EOS_60D/specs

Here is a breakdown of the specifications differences between the Canon 70D and the Nikon D7100
http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-EO...on-D7100/specs

What do I shoot with? I use a pair of Canon 7D cameras which I prefer, for my specific still imagery uses, to either the 60D or the 70D. This is mostly because of the top-notch auto-focus for still imagery but, there are a few other important reasons for my preference. However, since this is a 70D vs. D7100 discussion (I threw in the 60D as a red herring). I am not going to get into my reasons for preferring the 7D...

[inkista]

How important is video to you? The 70D's autofocus-during-video function is probably the biggest difference between the two bodies. Both are terrific midgrade choices, and are unlikely to make you unhappy.

[Black Pearl]

I'll add to the excellent advise and say you should go and try both cameras to see which you prefer. Sounds daft but simple things like the placement of the switches/dials or the viewfinder eye relief can make an impact when you handle/use them.

One of the things I love about Nikon's is the on off switch is in a perfect position for rapid use and the same on all bodies - when it comes to Canon's the rear dial is fantastic and very intuitive, better I'd say than the more normal placement.

[Mike Buckley]

I notice from the comparative list that Richard provided that the Canon camera has an articulating LCD screen and that the Nikon camera does not. If you plan to do the kind of shooting that would make use of that capability, that might be the deal breaker in favor of the Canon system.

[Manfred M]

When I bought my first DSLR, ergonomics were the deciding factor.

Mikes comment about the articulating screen is relevent, but let me add the flip-side to that argument. My video cameras have the articulating screen. They make a camera much more fragile and succeptible to damage (that is my personal experiece, having destroyed one). Pro cameras do not have articulating screens...

[basilio4]

I also recommend that you try to forecast what the camera/lens will be used to shoot.

If you are aiming exclusively (or even primarily) at still photos, your camera needs will be different from another photographer who is using the DSLR exclusively or primarily for video; and perhaps different from the photographer ho will shot video and stills just about equally.

There are some touted advantages that can be a disadvantage to some folks. Snapsort.com states an advantage of the 70D is "less buttons" because of touch screen operation. This may be an advantage to some photographers but, I detest touch screen controls on my cameras..

BTW: Adorama has the 60D body, refurbished (this is the way I purchase all of my DSLR cameras) for $539 (USD) while a new 70D (not available yet as a refurb) is $1199. That means a new 70D is well over twice the price of the refurb 60D. Is it worth that difference? Only the user can decide.

Here is a breakdown of the specifications differences between the 70D and the 60D.
http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-EO..._EOS_60D/specs

Here is a breakdown of the specifications differences between the Canon 70D and the Nikon D7100
http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-EO...on-D7100/specs

What do I shoot with? I use a pair of Canon 7D cameras which I prefer, for my specific still imagery uses, to either the 60D or the 70D. This is mostly because of the top-notch auto-focus for still imagery but, there are a few other important reasons for my preference. However, since this is a 70D vs. D7100 discussion (I threw in the 60D as a red herring). I am not going to get into my reasons for preferring the 7D...

[basilio4]

Your inputs are very much appreciated.
THANK YOU
BASILIO

[Mike Buckley]

articulating screen...They make a camera much more fragile and succeptible to damage

You have no idea how much money you could extract from me to prevent you from telling my wife that. She knows I'm a total klutz and it's her camera with the articulating screen that I use almost all of the time in my makeshift studio.

[Manfred M]

You have no idea how much money you could extract from me to prevent you from telling my wife that. She knows I'm a total klutz and it's her camera with the articulating screen that I use almost all of the time in my makeshift studio.

Now I am starting to understand why you are shooting all those broken glasses...

[jcuknz]

Having used articulated screens since I almost started with digital I would definitely look sideways at a camera without one and these days I want a fully articulated one not the one way tip stuff. If you look after your gear with reasonable care and attention you will not break it.... and don't go to dangerous places

But then I look sideways at any DSLR as I have a 'mini-DSLR' with my Panasonic GH2. Others go for the Olympus version.

[JR1]

A while back I wanted a new body and tried the 7D as I had a Canon system, then I borrowed the D7000 from a local shop for the weekend and bought 2 D7000s, and all new gear, and am part exchanging my Canon gear at http://www.photographyshow.com/Content/What-s-On/6/

You should try to get there.

Personally after 20 years a Canon User I am moving back to Nikon, I am getting 2 D7100s and a D4s, can't go wrong

[JR1]

A while back I wanted a new body and tried the 7D as I had a Canon system, then I borrowed the D7000 from a local shop for the weekend and bought 2 D7000s, and all new gear, and am part exchanging my Canon gear at http://www.photographyshow.com/Content/What-s-On/6/

You should try to get there.

Personally after 20 years a Canon User I am moving back to Nikon, I am getting 2 D7100s and a D4s, can't go wrong