Drawar

Canon. At the time I "bought in" Nikon was no where close in their digital equipment. Now they're a lot more similar. I'd still choose canon for the larger array of lenses and better high end line.

I am strictly Nikon oriented.

To be honest I don't think you can go wrong with either Canon or Nikon, especially if we're talking their DSLR lines. You'll find comparable bodies, lenses, and accessories. For many it comes down to brand loyalty much like the old Ford vs. Chevy argument. With so many similarities the deciding factor may be the interface and overall fit of the body to your hand size.

I shot film for many years using a Nikon F3 with battery pack attachment. It was a nice heavy metal body camera and I'm just more comfortable with some 'neft' in my hands. Some of these lightweight DSLR's that are made today seem like toy cameras to me.

Sony is good at making a lot of things invluding point and shoot cameras but I think they have a lot of catching up ahead of them.

Some camera stores rent bodies and lenses so you might look into trying each our for a day to see if it's a good fit.

Both my P&S and DLSR are Canon. When I bought my 20D, Nikon only had the D70 (in my price range) and I didn't like the feel of it. Both companies make outstanding equipment.

I do like how Nikon is becoming very competitive in the consumer/prosumer DSLR market. Competition keeps everyone on their toes.

I've switched from an analogue Canon to a digital Nikon after a lot of holding, feeling and trying out camera's in several stores. I eventually settled on a Nikon because it felt more solid, the grip was better for my hands, the shutter was more silent and I liked the interface better. It all depends on what you want and what feels best. I might switch back to Canon one day if I haven't bought a zillion of Nikon lenses in the meanwhile. And I must admit I like the Nikon brand, it has this geeky feeling to it for me personally. It is like Nike (Canon) versus Adidas (Nikon), you can't go wrong with both.

I don't know how it happened, but I have become a Canon person. I was told by a photographer once that you have to be one or the other -- sounded ridiculous to me. However, there seems to be a truth to it. I work with a lot of professional photographers and have never seen anything but Canon or Nikon strapped to their necks. Having said that, canon is still the overall winner by the amount of photo pros using Canon to those using Nikon. I am certain Nikons are just as good. I wonder how much of this is just marketing?

Oh~~Canon.
I have been using analogue Canon for years.

Once you have one or another you're vested. The bodies are close, the glass is what matters. Before too long you have more than once lense that costs over a thousand and you're less and less likely to switch to another system.

I've got a couple of Kodak point and shoots....
I'll stop talking now :(

I have a Sony a100. It's my first dslr, and I love it! But, I have nothing to compare it to.

Canon, Nikon, Sony... you forgot Pentax. I have one of their older bodies (the DS), and would have the K10D already, if I had the budget. The lenses make it worth sticking with them, for me.

I have no idea how you can mention Sony alongside Nikon and Canon, with just the one camera based on technology they bought from Konica-Minolta... yet ignore Pentax? Weird.

One of my sons swears by his Canon cameras and equipment, as much as I do about all of my Nikon SLRs and DSLRS and equipment.

I have owned Nikons ever since I had my first camera. I see nothing wrong with the others, Canon, Pentax, etc., but like the Nikons I have, and all of the lenses to go with them.

Okinawa: I hope everything is fine with you. My thoughts to you.

I use Canon for the record, thank you for your wonderful responses.

Canon here too. (I don't think it matters much, you just have to pick one and stick with it.)

Stereoroid: I have a Pentax point and shoot, and my mom had a Pentax SLR in highschool. She loved it, and still talks about its handy reliability. I love my little point and shoot-- it's very trusty and goes everywhere with me (even underwater).

I think that Pentax is one of those brands that everyone has heard of before, but it's not the first thing the younger crowd thinks about when buying cameras.

Wow, lots of Canonites here... I'm a Nikonian myself