Canon vs Nikon: which DSLR should you buy?

The most common question that people ask when they buy their first DSLR is whether they should side with Canon or Nikon. In fact, even the most experienced photographers linked to a system often think of what they would gain by switching sides.

The fact is that both companies make excellent DSLR. However, at a given point each one has slightly different offers in the market, so it follows that some models will be better adapted to their specific needs than others.

To that end, we have put together the main DSLRs currently available from the two (exclude the older models designed for professionals) and compare them with their rivals in the same price range.

If you are a photographic beginner looking for your first camera, an enthusiast interested in exploring a range of options or a more advanced user looking for a full-frame nerve center, read on to get the best idea of ​​what gives you your money

Canon vs Nikon: Entry Level DSLR

If you have up to € 500 / € 500 or more to spend on your first DSLR, you have a lot to choose from. Not only do you have to consider a lot of new models, but there are also many older models that manufacturers are usually subject to discounts and rebate offers to connect to your system.

Currently, the cheapest options are the Canon EOS 1300D (known as EOS Rebel T6 in the US), Canon EOS 2000D ( known as EOS Rebel T7 in the US) and Canon EOS 200D (known as EOS Rebel SL2 in the US), as well as the Nikon D3300 and the newer Nikon D3400

What is the difference? At the bottom of the scale is the EOS 1300D / EOS Rebel T6, which has an 18MP sensor and can fire at only 3 fps, while there is a 9-point AF system. The new EOS 2000D / EOS Rebel T7 is very similar, but the key difference is the jump in resolution, from 18MP to 24.1MP. The EOS 200D / EOS Rebel SL2 is the most advanced Canon in the group. It has the latest 24.2MP sensor and features Canon's brilliant Dual Pixel CMOS AF system for fast Live View focus and shoots at a slightly faster 5 fps speed. There is also a really useful vari-angle touch screen. That said, it adheres to a 9-point AF system similar to that of the other two cameras.

In Nikon, both the D3300 and the D3400 have 24.2MP sensors and can fire at 5 fps, and each is equipped with an 11-point AF System

With very similar title features, the D3400 Nikon is not a significant improvement over the D3300, and the fact that it does not offer an integrated automatic sensor cleaning puts it at a disadvantage compared to its predecessor. That said, the D3400 offers Bluetooth connectivity (known as SnapBridge), which allows you to transfer images to your smartphone. If you want to do that on the D3300, you must buy an optional accessory to do so.

In general, there are no big differences between the offers of Canon and Nikon, but our selection should be the D3400. It's not perfect, but what it does, it does it very well and it's incredibly easy to use for the first time.