Nikon D3100 vs Canon t2i

[UOMaddog]

So I got a nice hulking year-end bonus check from my consulting job ($1500) so I'm going to splurge for my birthday (Jan 17) and buy a DSLR. I have narrowed down my choices to the Nikon D3100 and the Canon t2i. Anyone here good with DSLR's (or have one they might want to brag about?) that could give some good input as to which to get (I'm leaning towards one but I won't say until I get some honest opinions). I'm going to put a placeholder for the pros and cons of each and I will fill them in as we discuss.

Nikon D3100
Pros:
- $539.99 (I've seen it on sale for this price) (Body + standard 18-55mm lens)
- 11 point auto-focus
- Auto-focusing video (albeit not perfect, but better than the t2i)
- 1 year body / 5 year lens warranty
Cons:
- 14.2MP
- 1080P @ 24fps, 720P @ 30fps
- No External Mic Jack
- LCD Display = .23 megapixel

Canon t2i
Pros:
- 17.9MP
- 1080P @ 24fps, 720P/480P @ 50fps
- External Mic Jack (doubt I'll use it)
- LCD Display = 1 megapixel (easier to tell if a picture is blurry or out of focus)
Cons:
- $649.99 (Body + standard 18-55mm lens)
- 9 point auto-focus
- 1 year body / 1 year lens warranty

There's the technical comparison...Now here's the opinions I've been given accompanied by my own:
Nikon cameras are dependable, durable, excellent in low-light, and great for an amateur photographer who is just starting to delve into the photography world (I've been handicapped thus far by my Canon PowerShot A560 point-and-shoot camera). Nikon's guide mode is great for helping out when you can't remember what you needed to adjust and yet you can completely disregard it once you become comfortable. Canon's pictures can often be superior, but you'll probably end up reading the manual front to back and still forget most of it when you wish you could remember. The Nikon wins hands-down in the video category though.

Here's one of my favorite photos from my point-and-shoot. Just took it this past December at Longwood Gardens here in PA. There was a group of photography students (with their Nikons and Canons hehe) working on photographing this one tree. I popped up behind them and snapped this shot:

[Toptwo]

Dont know about Pros and cons but I currently own a Nikon D50 and am planning on adding a d3100 as soon as I can afford one. I dont think you can beat a nikon, or nikkor lenses. I have had the d50 for about 5 years. It has been 100% trouble free, takes outstanding pictures and doesnt seem to mind the weather +90 to -50 here in Wyoming and I have shot at both extreams.

I dont know much about the cannon, but actually wouldn't care anyway. I am and always will be a Nikon lover!

[12TimesOver]

They're both good cameras. Lenses should be interchangeable for the most part right?

The Canon can often be had far cheaper as part of bundle packs that go on sale. For example, I've seen the t2i as low as $650+/- with a lens ! For $1,500 you should be able to get the camera and pay for a nice weekend getaway for you and the Mrs. to start using it

For example:
http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?sduid=761542&t=2547153

X

[Toptwo]

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/35054/nikon-d3100-vs-canon-550d

[Toptwo]

They're both good cameras. Lenses should be interchangeable for the most part right?

The Canon can often be had far cheaper as part of bundle packs that go on sale. For example, I've seen the t2i as low as $650+/- with a lens ! For $1,500 you should be able to get the camera and pay for a nice weekend getaway for you and the Mrs. to start using it

For example:
http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?sduid=761542&t=2547153

X

  Everything I have found so far shows the Nikon is 150.00 less then the cannon

[Khameleon]

I own the Nikon D40 my dad owns the D90, and the D40.  he's been a huge fan of photography pretty much his whole life.. he did own cannons as I was groing up, but ever since the digital age I've only seen him own Nikons... so Id take it word for it and stick with the Nikon... Nikon Transfer is also a really nice program to transfer your picks to your computer... so my vote sticks with the Nikon.

[TrailMyx]

Seems the majority of the camera snobs I'm associated with generally trend toward Nikon.  I get crap for my Lumix and Olympus.  Oh well, I still love my Lumix DMC-ZS7

[gimlet]

OK I admit it - i'm a Nikon snob

[UOMaddog]

The only thing worse than a Nikon snob is a Leica snob! Hehe JK! I'm hopefully going to be a proud Nikon snob myself soon.

Let me update my first post with my opinions since I've heard plenty here!

[msitwin]

It seems like Nikon would be the better deal.

I recently bought a canon EOS 7D as a present for myself. I don't know what I was thinking, I'm a beginner.

[12TimesOver]

A lot of Nikon fans here but I gotta tell ya, the Canon is a great camera too.

I would buy whichever had the features I was interested in Maddog. I don't think you'll be disappointed in either camera.

X

[UOMaddog]

Well I went ahead and got the D3100 for $525 (after sale price - instant rebates - discount coupon). Picked up a Transcend 32GB Class 10 SDHC for $55. My fiance's parents are getting me the CF-DC1 semi-soft shell case for it (just to protect it against bumps and such, since I only have the one lens and 1 memory card, I don't really need a gigantic bag) and my sister is getting me a nice tripod for it as well for my birthday on Monday. Been playing around with it a little bit and definitely like it! It's a little bit daunting at first, but I'm just playing around with everything and hoping for some nicer weather so I can try going somewhere for a few shots (pictures not drinks)! I'll post them up and let you all see them when I do!

[Khameleon]

Great Choice...
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