Canon versus Nikon lenses
There are many debates about who has the better lens collection, Canon EOS or Nikon? I did full research on lenses available in the market 2008, and find out that overall, Canon EOS lenses are cheaper toe to toe compare to Nikon.
Nikon has several lenses that unique such as general purpose 18-200mm, 105mm macro lens with VR (vibration reduction). Canon has legendary "L" uxury lenses such as 70-200mm series and also has many telephoto primes for sports and wildlife.
Before buying a camera, Lens collection is one of the important consideration and for that, I try to answer that nagging question. Before I get started, keep in mind that I am not owning or testing all the lenses by myself, I gathered this info from many review sites on the web.
Legend: IQ = Image Quality, BC = Built Construction, DIF = difference in price (Canon minus Nikon). $ is USD 5 is Excellent, 4 is Very Good, 3 is Average, 2 is bad, 1 is crap, 0 is junk.
For wide angle prime, we can see Nikon has a slight advantage over Canon,
Nikon has 10.5mm, Nikon 14mm is $550 cheaper, but the IQ is
lower than Canon's.
For HQ users, Nikon has 28mm f/1.4, and Canon has 24 f/1.4
Because of the 10.5mm lens and quality of Nikon's lens construction
are generally better than Canon's, NIKON wins this category.
In standard prime category of 50mm and 35mm, Nikon has better
50mm f1.4. Nikon's f1.8 is $25 more expensive than Canon's
50mm f1.8, but Nikon's built is better than Canon.
Canon has 2 HQ lenses, 50mm f1.2 and 35mm f1.4 and Nikon has
no answer for that. Interestingly, Canon 50mm f1.2 quality and
AF is not as good as expected, and Nikon has 35mm lens that performs
well with good built construction and has a good price.
So in this category: TIE!
Telephoto Prime Lenses
Click the image to view the full picture
In telephoto prime category, Canon has extensive collection that
is generally cheaper than Nikon counterpart. Canon has 800mm lens
and even 1200 lens for $75000. It is definitely a win for CANON in this category.
Now we enter a very interesting category and also most important
especially for new photographers: standard zoom lens category.
In this category, Nikon has a unique zooms that Canon can't answer
yet, it is wide to telephoto lens that many newbie and "lazy to change lens
photographer" love: 18-105mm VR, 18-135mm and 18-200mm VR. Both lenses
perform very well and have reasonable build quality plus does not
drain out of your pocket since they are below $600.
Update: In Fall 2008, Canon respond with releasing new lens, 18-200mm IS lens to
respond to Nikon 18-200mm. However, Nikon also release new affordable kit lens 18-105mm which regarded as one of the best and most versatile kit lens in the market.
Nikon's also has 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 VR, is a lens with amazing
built and image quality and also versatility at its price.
This amazing lens is priced around $600 which is a great deal
In contrast, Canon strength is in its "L" lenses, especially medium zoom,
EF 24-70mm L USM is $600 cheaper than Nikon's counterpart.
Canon L 17-40mm is whopping $825 cheaper than Nikon 17-35.
Nikon 17-35mm has advantage of one stop.
Nikon also does not have answer on Canon's all around 24-105mm IS
USM.
Pro might love Canon's line more but, NIKON wins my vote in this
category simply because It has lenses that are versatile, good built, image
quality and price that most of enthusiasts can afford or willing to buy.
Next stop..
We have Telephoto Zooms.
Telephoto Zoom Macro lenses
Click the image to view the full picture
In this category, Canon has formidable 70-200mm quartets that
are so powerful, beside that, Canon has a huge choices from EF-S
lens to DO lenses, and variety of lenses and price according your budget
and needs.
On the other side, Nikon has affordable 55-200 VR lens that
performs well. But sorry Nikon, this category is CANON.
The last one is Macro Lenses.
It is a hard one to decide but I will give it a DRAW.
Canon has new EF-S 60mm lens, this macro lens is amazing
(check out in lens gallery forum if you mind but
unfortunately, this lens is EF-S means full frame camera can't use it.
Nikon also has new 105mm with VR. Probably the only macro lens with VR.
It will be helpful for people that lazy to put tripod on, or setting tripod
is impossible. But the VR increase the lens price to a whopping $800.
Anyway, I will call this category as a DRAW.
In Conclusion
Nikon wins in these categories: Wide Angle Prime, Standard Zoom Lenses
Canon wins in these categories: Telephoto Prime and Telephoto Zoom
and the rest is DRAW.
Price and Value
Canon consistently shows that their lenses are cheaper than Nikon toe to toe. Budget minded enthusiasts who is interested to build a collection of lenses should consider this.
So If someone ask me or you about who is better and in what sector,
at least we can come up with specific answers.
OVERALL RESULT: CANON VS NIKON Lenses = DRAW
Nikon has several lenses that unique such as general purpose 18-200mm, 105mm macro lens with VR (vibration reduction). Canon has legendary "L" uxury lenses such as 70-200mm series and also has many telephoto primes for sports and wildlife.
Before buying a camera, Lens collection is one of the important consideration and for that, I try to answer that nagging question. Before I get started, keep in mind that I am not owning or testing all the lenses by myself, I gathered this info from many review sites on the web.
Legend: IQ = Image Quality, BC = Built Construction, DIF = difference in price (Canon minus Nikon). $ is USD 5 is Excellent, 4 is Very Good, 3 is Average, 2 is bad, 1 is crap, 0 is junk.
Let's get started:
Wide Angle Prime Lens and Standard Prime Lens
Click the image to view the full picture
Wide Angle Prime Lens and Standard Prime LensClick the image to view the full picture
For wide angle prime, we can see Nikon has a slight advantage over Canon,
Nikon has 10.5mm, Nikon 14mm is $550 cheaper, but the IQ is
lower than Canon's.
For HQ users, Nikon has 28mm f/1.4, and Canon has 24 f/1.4
Because of the 10.5mm lens and quality of Nikon's lens construction
are generally better than Canon's, NIKON wins this category.
In standard prime category of 50mm and 35mm, Nikon has better
50mm f1.4. Nikon's f1.8 is $25 more expensive than Canon's
50mm f1.8, but Nikon's built is better than Canon.
Canon has 2 HQ lenses, 50mm f1.2 and 35mm f1.4 and Nikon has
no answer for that. Interestingly, Canon 50mm f1.2 quality and
AF is not as good as expected, and Nikon has 35mm lens that performs
well with good built construction and has a good price.
So in this category: TIE!
Telephoto Prime LensesClick the image to view the full picture
In telephoto prime category, Canon has extensive collection that
is generally cheaper than Nikon counterpart. Canon has 800mm lens
and even 1200 lens for $75000. It is definitely a win for CANON in this category.
Now we enter a very interesting category and also most important
especially for new photographers: standard zoom lens category.
General Purpose Zoom Lenses
Click the image to view the full picture
Click the image to view the full picture
In this category, Nikon has a unique zooms that Canon can't answer
yet, it is wide to telephoto lens that many newbie and "lazy to change lens
photographer" love: 18-105mm VR, 18-135mm and 18-200mm VR. Both lenses
perform very well and have reasonable build quality plus does not
drain out of your pocket since they are below $600.
Update: In Fall 2008, Canon respond with releasing new lens, 18-200mm IS lens to
respond to Nikon 18-200mm. However, Nikon also release new affordable kit lens 18-105mm which regarded as one of the best and most versatile kit lens in the market.
Nikon's also has 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 VR, is a lens with amazing
built and image quality and also versatility at its price.
This amazing lens is priced around $600 which is a great deal
In contrast, Canon strength is in its "L" lenses, especially medium zoom,
EF 24-70mm L USM is $600 cheaper than Nikon's counterpart.
Canon L 17-40mm is whopping $825 cheaper than Nikon 17-35.
Nikon 17-35mm has advantage of one stop.
Nikon also does not have answer on Canon's all around 24-105mm IS
USM.
Pro might love Canon's line more but, NIKON wins my vote in this
category simply because It has lenses that are versatile, good built, image
quality and price that most of enthusiasts can afford or willing to buy.
Next stop..
We have Telephoto Zooms.
Telephoto Zoom Macro lensesClick the image to view the full picture
In this category, Canon has formidable 70-200mm quartets that
are so powerful, beside that, Canon has a huge choices from EF-S
lens to DO lenses, and variety of lenses and price according your budget
and needs.
On the other side, Nikon has affordable 55-200 VR lens that
performs well. But sorry Nikon, this category is CANON.
The last one is Macro Lenses.
It is a hard one to decide but I will give it a DRAW.
Canon has new EF-S 60mm lens, this macro lens is amazing
(check out in lens gallery forum if you mind but
unfortunately, this lens is EF-S means full frame camera can't use it.
Nikon also has new 105mm with VR. Probably the only macro lens with VR.
It will be helpful for people that lazy to put tripod on, or setting tripod
is impossible. But the VR increase the lens price to a whopping $800.
Anyway, I will call this category as a DRAW.
In Conclusion
Nikon wins in these categories: Wide Angle Prime, Standard Zoom Lenses
Canon wins in these categories: Telephoto Prime and Telephoto Zoom
and the rest is DRAW.
Price and Value
Canon consistently shows that their lenses are cheaper than Nikon toe to toe. Budget minded enthusiasts who is interested to build a collection of lenses should consider this.
So If someone ask me or you about who is better and in what sector,
at least we can come up with specific answers.
OVERALL RESULT: CANON VS NIKON Lenses = DRAW
Labels: digital slr lenses
posted by Enche Tjin at
10:00 PM
4 Comments:
Without wanting to be very negative, you've missed out the Nikkor 18-200 VR which is quite a clincher for some. There are also many inaccuracies dotted throughout.
Nikon 18-200mm VR is in the table.
i think the prime lens comparison is very subjective, when you can mark the legendary ultra sharpness 85mm f1.2 II L same rating as the nikkor 85 f1.4.
Not to mention about lack of credits to the other legendary prime portraits 135L and 200 f2L.
Also canon, with a larger collection of prime lenses in this category, you actually give them a draw.
No point trying to be politically correct in such reviews to give a draw in the end.
great input from Benson, thanks!
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