A number of camera manufacturers lagged behind when the digital camera age hit. Canon and Nikon were the only two companies to forge ahead with the creation of digital cameras. Ever since, the two companies have been in fierce competition with each other.

While there are other digital camera manufacturers out there, Canon and Nikon share the number one spot. There are a few fundamental differences between the two camera manufacturers. However, both companies are consistently neck and neck. For the sake of this article, I’ll focus on entry-level Canon and Nikon cameras.

Lens Flexibility

Canon digital cameras are compatible with almost any Canon lens available. Further, third party lenses often fit Canon cameras without any problems. This is a huge bonus if you intend to upgrade lens-wise. Unfortunately, Nikon cameras are not always compatible with third party and older Nikon lenses.

While an older Nikon lens may fit a newer Nikon digital camera, you may not be able to access the autofocus function while using an older lens. If autofocus isn’t an issue, you can still purchase a variety of older lenses. The inflexibility of Nikon cameras means that you’ll wind up paying a lot for a new Nikon lens. This isn’t the case with a third party or older (used) Canon lens.


Speed Considerations

Camera speed varies according to the type of camera you purchase. Say, for example, that you are considering either the Canon 60D or the Nikon D7000. In this instance, the D7000 is slightly faster than the 60D. However, this speed difference is quite minimal, and speed doesn’t matter if you aren’t able to use a camera in a semi-professional manner.

Again, the Canon 60D is compatible with any Canon EF-S and EF lens, while the Nikon D7000 is only compatible with F mount Nikon lenses. This is something to consider when selecting between these two cameras that are slightly more expensive than other Canon and Nikon options.

Why Image Quality Doesn’t Matter

Manufacturers tend to list image quality specs on the outside of every digital camera box. For most consumers, these numbers are useless. Both Nikon and Canon entry-level digital cameras capture beautiful pictures. In fact, many photos snapped by both cameras have been picked as editor favorites in such magazines as National Geographic.

Yet, unless you know how to properly control a camera, you won’t be able to capture any kind of nice photo. Therefore, it all comes down to user-friendliness. Of course, practice helps too.

User-Friendliness

When it comes to user ease, Canon cameras are slightly easier to control. Most consumers will find that adapting to a Canon camera is a cinch. This is largely due to Canon’s intuition when it comes to design and layout. If you prefer the look of a Nikon, you’ll have to pay careful attention to the user’s manual.

Both Canon and Nikon make excellent cameras. In the end, Canon is more versatile than Nikon. Since a large portion of choosing a camera has to do with your personal comfort level, take the time to test out both cameras in-store. Just keep in mind that you’ll be able to build a cheaper lens collection with Canon than you will with Nikon.