Pho-Tech Advice

As you're thinking about buying that new camera, deciding between these two industry leaders can be a challenge. Both Canon and Nikon offer excellent lines of point-and-shoot, digital single lens reflex (DSLR) and film single lens reflex cameras. The bottom line is that you probably can't go wrong with either choice. That said, here are a few things to consider as you navigate the options.

Among point-and-shoot cameras, generally speaking the Nikon Coolpix and Canon PowerShot product lines perform equally well. In my experience, though, one exception to this rule is the series of Nikon Coolpix "L" models. They tend to have a more fragile, weaker lens unit and therefore are much more susceptible to even the most minor of bumps or drops. Though they take great photos, this weakness is from my point of view a reason to stay away.

When looking at DSLR's both companies offer high-quality, reliable cameras. I would lean towards a Canon Digital Rebel when considering an entry-level (lower cost) DSLR because they seem a bit more rugged/durable than the entry-level Nikon cameras. At the high end, the competition between Nikon and Canon is intense, and both companies are bringing excellent cameras to market.

Support and service are important considerations as well. For instance, availability and delivery times for repair parts can make the difference of having a camera ready to go for the next assignment or not. If I look back at my last 10 parts orders from both Nikon and Canon during the same time period, Canon's average delivery time was around six days and there were no cases of back-ordered (delayed) parts. Nikon's average delivery time was around 10 days and 11 items were back-ordered, in some cases delaying delivery to about one month.