Canon 50D is a great camera - strong points high resolution 15 megapixel - high def 3'' LCD screen - quick processing - raw processing 14 bits (which is great if you want to squeeze more dynamic range from your pix - although means more time post-processing) - high ISO capacity reach 1600 without problems after that noise kicks in.
Minuses - costly and heavy, not a solid body as Nikon D300 - high resolution on small captor does not allow high ISO performances to match competition, although processor keeps things under control but 1600 is really the frontier. Overall performances not exceptionally different than 40D.
Suggested Canon lens 17-85 IS, 10-22, some primes (remember cropping factor) 20mm is a 35mm more/less. Ideal choice (but costly) 17-55 f2.8.
An 18-200 IS has been released in conjunction with 50D, which is a convenient all-in-one, but don't expect miracles. Price is around 600$ which is 100 more than 17-85.
Concerning Canon 40D, it still sells for 500$ less than 50D. It has less resolution (10 Mpix), LCD screen has less definition, older image processor. But performances in terms of definition and higher ISO sharpness are good taking into account that it has less pixels than its successor. But for same price you can get Nikon new mid range camera, the D90.
Nikon D90: 12 megapixels - better exposure and AF - HD LCD - great high ISO performance reaches 3200-6400 with slight loss in image quality.
Basically same optical electronics as D300 in lighter, more compact and cheaper body with HD video added as a bonus.
Shortfall - lighter (polycarbonate) body that D300, cannot meter with older manual lenses (which can still be mounted and exposed by "trial and error"), no 14bit raw.
Suggested Nikon lens: 16-85 VR, 18-70 (no stabilized but sharp can be used at high ISO - discontinued but can still be found around), 18-200 VR all-rounder, 18-55 VR (cheap and stabilized), 24mm AFD (Nikon classic get you a 35mm equivalent fixed lens), 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G VR.
Less interesting in my view - 18-135 (range but not stabilized, plastic bayonet) and 18-105 VR (stabilized, plastic bayonet), third party lenses.
Nikon D300: great solid body, LCD, optical viewfinder, great Nikon exposure and AF, can mount and meter Nikon AI manual lenses, great ISO performances.
Minuses - heavy, expensive.
Other options, Pentax K20D - resolution 15 megapixel, solid body, good viewfinder and ergonomics, in camera image stabilization (on sensor), good price/performance ratio
Goes less confidently above 800 ISO, metering, AF, LCD and shooting rate slightly inferior to competition.
Recommended lens: 16-45mm AF f/4.0 ED AL, plus primes such as DA AL 21mm F3.2 Limited pancake. DA AL 35mm 2.8 macro.
Sony A700 - great body, LCD screen and great optical viewfinder, good price, mechanical stabilization in camera works for nearly most lenses.
But no live view, heavy noise reduction applied by default, good lenses expensive (Zeiss).
Suggested: DT 16-105mm F3.5-5.6. Sony kit lens or Zeiss for Sony-Minolta 16-80 Vario-Sonnar.
Minuses - costly and heavy, not a solid body as Nikon D300 - high resolution on small captor does not allow high ISO performances to match competition, although processor keeps things under control but 1600 is really the frontier. Overall performances not exceptionally different than 40D.
Suggested Canon lens 17-85 IS, 10-22, some primes (remember cropping factor) 20mm is a 35mm more/less. Ideal choice (but costly) 17-55 f2.8.
An 18-200 IS has been released in conjunction with 50D, which is a convenient all-in-one, but don't expect miracles. Price is around 600$ which is 100 more than 17-85.
Concerning Canon 40D, it still sells for 500$ less than 50D. It has less resolution (10 Mpix), LCD screen has less definition, older image processor. But performances in terms of definition and higher ISO sharpness are good taking into account that it has less pixels than its successor. But for same price you can get Nikon new mid range camera, the D90.
Nikon D90: 12 megapixels - better exposure and AF - HD LCD - great high ISO performance reaches 3200-6400 with slight loss in image quality.
Basically same optical electronics as D300 in lighter, more compact and cheaper body with HD video added as a bonus.
Shortfall - lighter (polycarbonate) body that D300, cannot meter with older manual lenses (which can still be mounted and exposed by "trial and error"), no 14bit raw.
Suggested Nikon lens: 16-85 VR, 18-70 (no stabilized but sharp can be used at high ISO - discontinued but can still be found around), 18-200 VR all-rounder, 18-55 VR (cheap and stabilized), 24mm AFD (Nikon classic get you a 35mm equivalent fixed lens), 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G VR.
Less interesting in my view - 18-135 (range but not stabilized, plastic bayonet) and 18-105 VR (stabilized, plastic bayonet), third party lenses.
Nikon D300: great solid body, LCD, optical viewfinder, great Nikon exposure and AF, can mount and meter Nikon AI manual lenses, great ISO performances.
Minuses - heavy, expensive.
Other options, Pentax K20D - resolution 15 megapixel, solid body, good viewfinder and ergonomics, in camera image stabilization (on sensor), good price/performance ratio
Goes less confidently above 800 ISO, metering, AF, LCD and shooting rate slightly inferior to competition.
Recommended lens: 16-45mm AF f/4.0 ED AL, plus primes such as DA AL 21mm F3.2 Limited pancake. DA AL 35mm 2.8 macro.
Sony A700 - great body, LCD screen and great optical viewfinder, good price, mechanical stabilization in camera works for nearly most lenses.
But no live view, heavy noise reduction applied by default, good lenses expensive (Zeiss).
Suggested: DT 16-105mm F3.5-5.6. Sony kit lens or Zeiss for Sony-Minolta 16-80 Vario-Sonnar.
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