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I currently have a Nikon F60 with a Tamron 28-200mm lens. I would like to upgrade to a digital SLR at some stage soon and the Nikon D70 and Canon 20D are my two top choices.
I am after opinions on both and how people think they compare, bearing in mind there is a bit of a price difference, what is the best value for money?
Would I be better with the Nikon as it does come with a good lense and I already have a compatable 28-200mm or the more expensive 20D which comes with a 18-55 lens which from another thread on the forum there are mixed opinions about? Is the extra money for the Canon well spent for someone like me who enjoys photography but still has A LOT to learn.
I'd go for the D70.
PROS:
You already know the system
Very good lens
You'll have two lenses
Great colour
Plenty of pixels
Value for money
The camera's not trying to be something it's not.
CONS:
None really
From a Canon (1V) user who's not convinced that they're playing honest injun with consumers at present. Read Ken Rockwell.
Only one circumstance does not allow to make a choice for Nikon D70. All is very simple - 8:6 in favour of Canon, on number of pixels in a sensor.
At you only one zoom-lens, you will lose nothing.
But if a few to wait it is possible Nikon will present worthy alternative Canon in the near future.
Malik & Mary.
Not sure what an 'honest injun' but isn't Ken Rockwell a comedian? Certainly his site has me in stitches . . .
Seriously though, go to a shop, play with both. You can listen to as much advise as you want but lets face it they're both great cameras.
In a head to dead comparison between the 300D & D70 in Digital Photo magazine the pictures from the 300D were far superior in colour, sharpness and noise control. However the D70 came out tops has it had more features.
So if you want the best pictures it the Canon, if you want lots of features go for the Nikon.
Ken Rockwell's my hero! :o(
................or maybe not! 
As Carl only has a Tamron 'super zoom' I would say he should NOT let his existing lens (which inevitably must be of rather average quality) influence his choice.
The new Canon 350D will be out soon and it is rumoured that a Nikon D90 will as well. He may want to have a look at these cameras before deciding.
But if he gets a 20D don't bother about the 18-55 lens... get the 17-85 IS and in due course another zoom to cover the medium-long tele range.
Yes, the 17-85 is a fair bit of money but I'll bet he will find it stays on his camera 80-90% of the time.
Interesting point by redsnappa... becasue he's quoting the only time a D70 has been beaten in a review by a Canon 300D. Review after review puts the D70 on top.
I don't think cf73 has enough equipment at present to be worried about jumping from one brand to another. I'd also agree that pitching a D70 against a 20D is hardly a reasonable comparision, as there is a significant price point between the two.
My advice would be to study each system (not just body) and see as best you can which one is likely to fill all your future needs. (Changing system is a lot more expensive once you've started to invest.) Handle all the cameras and see which one you can best live with.
There are no right and wrong decisions here... just the best one for you, and only you can judge that.
Cathal
(P.S. FWIW, I'd go D70)
In the same sort of price bracket are the Pentax *istDS and the Olympus E-300.
There are those who say the Pentax handles better than either the Canon or Nikon being considered. If Carl hasn't already done so he should, maybe, pop in to a camera shop and handle all 4 cameras before deciding.
In one sense it is valid to compare the D70 and 20D. In Carl's particular circumstances, would the significant extra expense give him a sufficient increase in quality and functionality to justify getting the 20D. If so, then perhaps go for it.
Ian
Quote: actually the D70 came out top in the review despite it producing inferior image quality compared to the 300d
I think you are overstating the case somewhat. If you read the dpreview comparison there are very few areas in which the D70 comes out behind the 300D. In most areas the image quality of the D70 is in fact equal or superior to the 300D, the one exception being that the 300D is slightly less prone to noise due to its' iso100 setting.
Whatever camera you consider I would recommend reading the reviews and comparisons on both dpreview.com and steves-digicams.com, then go and handle them in the shops.
Ian
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