My girlfriend is going to school next year for photograpghy and nees to get a new DSLR. what are your opinions of the following.
Nikon:
-D40X
-D80
-D200
-D300
Canon:
-EOS Digital Rebel XTi
-EOS 30D
-EOS 40D
-EOS 5D

I realize that the prices for the cameras go up by model. How necesssary would it be to buy the higher end models. The budget isn't unlimited so if the higher end models aren't really worth the increase in money please say so. Thanks.

I've heard great things about the Rebel. As soon as I get some more cash, I'm purchasing that baby.

Is this for high school or something like university? I wouldn't recommend the lower range DSLR's. I have a nikon D70s, and when I got it a couple of years ago it was great, but now it really fails compared to a camera like the D300. The D80 and D200 have the same sensor, so there's not a huge difference in the picture quality - the D200 is just more heavy duty (such as being rain-proof). I would recommend the D300, but they aren't cheap, otherwise, the D80 is a good choice. I tend to use Nikon's over Cannon.

Thanks for the thoughts. She will be attending Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. She's a good photographer but hasn't made the step up into to high end digital photography. She has a Nikon SLR, not sure of the model though. Can you give me so pros and cons of Cannon versus Nikon? Thanks.

The D200 is a fantastic camera. I could never afford one, but our school's art department has one and I've signed it out a few times; it was a huge leap in quality and ease of use from the cameras I usually use. It has enough features that it isn't an amature camera, but it's easy to use.

If she's serious about photography and has experience using an SLR then a Canon EOS may not be up to her needs. As far as DSLRs go, EOS is kind of entry-level, so unless she's inexperienced with SLR cameras, she should consider something that's going to carry her through her entire education and beyond, and not a camera she'll grow out of as her proficiency grows.

-Nikon has better noise suppression.
-Canon is better for sport photography
-Nikon is easier in usage (but I guess that just depends on what you're used to work with)

Besides that...The differences really arn't that big. I would say, just go to the shop and try them out, it's also important that you get a camera that feels good in your hand. If your girlfriend has really small hands, and she gets a D300 she might have a little difficulty reaching all the buttons as easily. A D80 might be a better choice in that case...
Though I'd kill for a D300

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Thanks for all the opinions guys. I think she's going to go with the D80, she has a D70 now(that's SLR right?) The D200 and 300 are a bit more pricey and the D80 should server her well. Tomorrow we're going to go to best buy, so she can look at it and hold it, also my brother works there so we're going to see what kind of a discount we can get on it.

Whats about the D70 doesn't she like?

I'll admit that I don't know very much about the specific differences in each new generation of Nikon DSLRs but unless her current camera is holding her back somehow I would go for one of their more professional level DSLRs, i.e. the 200 or 300, rather than simply upgrading to a newer version of their "high-end amatuer" line, or at least that's how I understand their pricing/naming scheme to work.

No, just , no.

I'm terribly sorry, but if you want a good camera you can take stunning pictures with, and plenty of options for resolution, and 12.something megapixels, go for the Canon G9. I know it's not a DSLR, and a bitch to hold at first, but trust me, you will come to love it after a little while. I love mine

Lawl, you're kidding right?
It could very well be that the G9 takes good pictures, but if you can work with a DSLR it will always take better pictures then a handheld...
I have yet to meet the professional photographer that works with the G9, have you?
And resolution really means shit unless you're planning to blow your picture WAY up.

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