Canon vs Nikon in terms of Lens, Equipement, UI, Support

[djjohnr]

Well that's kinda an apples to oranges comparison because most 1.4 lenses are on the slow side for focusing. They tend to gear them down for precision because of the microscopically thin DOF those lenses are capable of producing, which is what makes them slow. Guarantee you that if you put any of Canon's 70-200 USM telephoto zooms on the 5D and it'll smoke the screwdriven Nikon 80-200/2.8 AF-D as far as AF speed and accuracy.

The CAM1000 AF system implementation on the D90 and D200 (owned both) is indeed a bit smarter and gives you more control (esp D200) than the 5DmkII's AF system which is a bit dim-witted, but I can manually control the AF system a lot easier, get it in and out of full-auto or single point select a lot quicker, and instantly select the AF point I want a whole lot faster on the 5DmkII than with any of the Nikons. So for how I shoot, I strongly prefer the Canon. No need to screw around with switches or menus, and can do everything I need to do without even altering my hand position or removing my eye from the viewfinder. I strongly prefer the 'shared' buttons all clumped on the right side as opposed to Nikon's fully dedicated ones all over the camera also, just because it allows for full one-handed operation and shooting. ie I can change up settings on the camera with one hand, while continuing to push one of my kids on a swing with the other. Can't do that with Nikon.

A lot of this is subjective and just personal preference obviously.

Agreed, it's subjective.

I used the 80-200 reference because it was the slowest focusing lens I ever ran across with a Nikon. The Nikon 50 1.4 was faster. Long story short, shooting moving objects without panning (mountain bike races, my daughter moving around) with both Nikons yielded better results for me than with the 5d. However, I haven't tried a 7d which should be much better - no FF though.

 

[S P]

*shrug*

I chase my 2 and 4yr old kids around with my 5DmkII and 50/1.8 lens from time to time and still haven't had any trouble getting a good keeper rate as far as in-focus shots. I think the 50/1.8 is considered to be one of Canon's slower focusing lenses too, or at least it's the slowest focusing one that I have personally. Uses the cheaper micromotor and not a USM. I know the AF hardware is basically the same between the 5D and 5D2, but maybe the 'smarts' and response time is a bit faster in the mkII? No clue. Have never shot with the original but haven't had any trouble with AF speed or accuracy in my mkII ever.

 

[unruled]

I work in ergonomics and usability, and have years of experience as a user with both products.

I'd say that the entry level nikons have superior ergonomics and design (but lesser button mappings), however on mid-higher range canon equals if not tops nikon.

In terms of menu systems, canons UI system easily trumps nikon in ease of learning/use.

That said, its all a matter of what one is used to, and its a subjective choice in the end.
Choose what feels right in the hand, not what looks right on paper. Same budget (generally) gets you the same amount of camera from either camp.