On Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:18:40 -0400, Tom Francis - SWSports
wrote:

On Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:08:31 -0700, jps wrote:


Shutter, apeture priority, full auto or fully manual. I use my D200
in all sorts of situations. Travel, sports, nature. Stunning detail.
The sensors and electronics on the Nikons are geared towards skin
tones, Canons sensors and electronics are more neutral. I've always
liked the look of a Sony picture, similar to Nikon sensors.

You make some good points, but I would disagree that it's all about
sensors. Up until recently, Nikon and Canon used the same CMOS sensor
array for a long time when Nikon came up with a different sensor
matched to their lenses - LBCAST I think it's called or something like
that. It's a hybrid CCD/CMOS array, but I could be wrong about that.
Lenses are the most important part of any SLR system and all the
majors make great lenses.

I still prefer the 4/3rds format - I get great performance in a
smaller size, the lenses (in particular the new SWD series which is
really sharp) are excellant. I have pudgy fingers to and I don't have
a problem controlling any of my Oly DSLRs.

Like I said, the one problem with the 4/3rds format is that you really
have to know how to deal with the low light issue. The E-3 is a dream
in that sense - I've gotten some spectacular low light results from
the E-3 and 50mm SWD lens.

Your E-3 takes in about 75% of the information that a good Nikon
body/lens will deliver at the same resolution. I've witnessed it
personally.

I said "sensors and electronics" since it's what happens as the image
is processed to a file that also counts.

I find Nikon's processing to be more my cup of tea than Canon's.

Canon does better on the low light front.

Ken Rockwell has a well-earned opinion but he's not the holy grail. I
find him to be reasonably on the mark but there are plenty of other
opinions to consider before chosing equipment.