Which Nikon D-SLR

i am looking to buy a Nikon as they have always been my prefered brand but would like some advice on which model.

ihave used the coolpix 8800 and think this is a fantastic camera but wondered if i should also consider the D70 or D80. these seem a little more profesional without being for pro's but are they that different. i also like the D200 but think this is possibly overkill.

i have been using the 8800 and a classic FG SLR so i am camera literate but im getting lost in the specs a bit.

can anybody offer some clarity.

Although Nikon has been your "preferred brand", at this point, if I were to choose a new system I'd look seriously into the Pentax or the Sony.


Steer way clear of the Nikon D40 whatever you do. D80 is a good camera, but keep in mind with the Pentax and the Sony you get in-body stabilization.


But for best image quality, Canon is still ahead of the pack with CMOS.


I'm a Sony (Minolta) user myself, and I love the Alpha, and the fantastic Sony/Minolta lenses and wireless flash system... lets just hope there's a new semi-pro body released at Photokina in about a week... wait and see.

I think the main question here is where does the value lie for your particular budget.


It is not true that Sony doesn't provide a compelling upgrade path, with Zeiss and G lenses, and the built-in Minolta wireless flash system (The Nikon flash system is great, but Canon does not even have wireless flash built-in).


But as I said, the advantage that Sony and Pentax have is in-camera image stabilization, which means you don't HAVE to shoot at high ISO to get great shots in low light.


It is very clear, and I doubt it can be argued that a one-time budget of HK$15000 will get you a much more complete system from either Sony or Pentax than from either Canon ir Nikon. If, however, you have a running budget of at least HK$15000 per year, and you can wait a few years to have a more complete system, Canon and Nikon are great.

One added comment is that Lost_in_HK seems to gloss over the fact that Sony is FULLY compatible with the numerous Minolta lenses out there, both new (made by Sony, Sigma, Tamron) and used...


Minolta was the #3 SLR brand before financial pressure (and a poorly handled lawsuit from Honeywell) forced them to merge with Konica, then sell the Camera division to Sony. It's also of note that many MANY Minolta lenses are considered as good or better optically than the Canikon equivalents.


And remember, what's the most popular is not always the best. Do your homework before you decide. You might not like Canon and Nikon's high price for stabilized glass or poor performance for cheap glass. You might not like Sony's lackluster high ISO performance (I admit that's Sony's weakest point, currently). On ther other hand, you might really benefit from Sony and Pentax's in-camera anti-shake, or Nikon's superior flash system. You might not like Pentax's APS-C only lens selection (which means they're unlikely to ever release a full-frame body). You might not like Canon's crappy flash performance. You might have friends with Canon or Nikon (or Sony/Minolta) lenses they can lend you.


So the point is, don't ever listen to anyone who blindly says "Canon/Nikon and avoid all others" without taking into consideration the pros and cons of every system out there.


They are all good systems. Who knows... you might decide you like the Fujis (they use Nikon mount) or the Sigmas (proprietary Sigma mount) or the Olympuses and Leicas (which use a "universal" 4/3 mount).


The Canons are known to have very poor body ergonomics. The Minoltas/Sony's are known to have great body ergonomics.


Everyone's choice should be an individual choice.


My strongest opinion, however, is to go with anything EXCEPT Canon (especially the 400D), due to the poor flash system/lack of wireless flash, the poor ergonomics, and the really crappy performance of the Canon "kit" lens (18-55) that most beginners are likely to buy. Just pick up the Canon 400D and the Sony a100, which are priced similarly, and FEEL the difference in quality, which is immediately apparent. There is also a clear difference in image quality if you use the respective "kit" lenses, which is less immediately apparent.


Right now on the news stand (in Page One), there's actually a GREAT issue of Digital Photo magazine which compares every system. Read it. Or just go to a good camera shop and try them all out.